ANASTASIA Previews — Page 12

Oh and journey to the PAST indeed, since Galinda wears that blazer and skirt in ACT ONE.

ok, I'll stop now.

GreasedLightning said: "Their $1+ mill gross while still in previews says it all to me. "

Yeah I was thrilled to see that! I've been avidly following their grosses, and they're doing fantastically straight out of the starting gate. Very happy to see that.

I should note that even with my big disappointment in the book, I still plan to see the show again. I mean, it's Anastasia!

Now I'm resting in bed, I can talk about it.

Overall, I really did love it. The cast has fully become one with their characters, especially Christy. She is definitely not playing Anastasia from the movie. This would be a gigantic problem, damn Christy is GORGEOUS with her Anya. Christy has unlock another side of the movie Anya. This is a Anya who has gone through a lot and seen serious stuff. She's very traumatized with her past and her PTSD shows at some places, but she is very very optimistic of the future. Christy portrays this perfectly and it is so moving-she literally had tears streaming down her face during In My Dreams. I really do wish she put more sarcasm and wit in her Anya, but for what she did, it is still great and meaningful. I'm really pulling for her Tony nomination. John and Caroline are absolutely fantastic in their parts (John was also crying during Meant To Be) and have wonderful energy. Their chemistry is fantastic and their number together is amazing. Mary Beth is more angry and her scene with Derek is heartbreaking and powerful. But, I think if it's Caroline vs. Mary Beth for the Tony nomination, it would be Caroline. Gleb is still undeveloped, but Ramin brings out the wickedness and sexual tension the character requires. Derek did a great job with Dimitri too.

That being said, I'm mixed about Anya/Dimitri's relationship. It's better and worse than the movie 60/40. When I saw the movie two nights ago, I did notice that Anya and Dimitri were bickering so much that them falling in love was really undeserving and I was sidetracked when he randomly started complementing her while they were dancing on the boat b/c a second ago, they were being sarcastic to each other. Here, they have the sarcasm and bickering at the beginning, but their friendship is very solid and strong at the same time, so their love for each other is way more deserving and believable. While Terrence fixed their relationship for the musical and I have to praise him for that, he took out the bickering, which make Anya and Dimitri so much fun in the movie. I wish he found that perfect balance in the relationship. But, the relationship is still great, but at the same time, it's too different.

They really did an outstanding job with updating the projections. They're gorgeous! And what they did with the ghosts. WOW! Bravo! The costumes are brilliant and there is actually a fun reference to Anya's peasant outfit from the movie during Rumor in SP.

As for the changes, the "Journey to the Past" part in the finale has been taken out, so they definitely listened to you guys. The music box direction is also back (Weird they added the suitors), but Christy and Derek walk downstage and singing instead of posing. Paris HTKTYH is now the movie scene and they added a LOT of solos for Vlad in it, which was excellent. Crossing the Bridge is almost completely rewritten and Anya tries to remember her grandmama/nana in it. They added a little bit of choreography in Rumor ISP which is appreciated.

The audience was the most exciting audience ever. Huge cheering when lights came down, Christy/Derek/John came out for Paris, and after the Finale. They really got into the Dimitri/Dowager Empress scene with huge gasps and Ohhhhhhhhh! Like:

And actually during the almost kiss during Crowd of Thousands, a little girl screamed out YES! and the whole audience broke out into laughter.

Overall, I had a excellent time with the show. Truly a dream come true. Could it be a little better? Yes. But, I am very satisfied. Thank you, ANASTASIA. Definitely planning on returning for its closing show whenever that will be and maybe even Christy's last show, depending on money and time.

Updated On: 4/20/17 at 11:11 AM

Updated On: 4/21/17 at 01:09 AM

Just saw the show tonight. I think many people will really enjoy this, but I couldn't get over how awful the set was. The projections killed it for me. They look straight out of Windows 95. The least they could have done is use real photos/video, but it just looked way too cheap. And they really saved money with this set. That being said, the music and the cast were solid.

Did you like the show overall, ak?

greenlight-From what I can remember, the beginning is the same and then the whole thing is different until the last two verses. They took out the amazing Hold tight belt, but they have a pretty vibrato part. And yes, the lyrics make it clear is about the grandma, but i honestly thought it better. The ending now is "Every light is like a promise, every light could be a clue. One of them might be you." And there's a spotlight next to Christy and she's singing to the light and it's very touching.

Show clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE_c-xm7FrI

Ooo, I really like the train projection and of course Christy sounds amazing

^I respect showbiz's opinion, that was just my reaction to it. But, I'm glad others are enjoying it. :)

MaddieBB12 said: "So I just saw the show clip, and I have to ask, for those who have seen the show more recently, are Anya and Dimitri wearing PAJAMAS during "In a Crowd of Thousands"? I know that was only shown in the clips for a brief moment, and without the song, but that is the only part of the show I can really see Dimitri bowing during. I saw the show in Hartford and they were definitely NOT in PJs then.



"

Christy is now in a new nightgown and Derek is in a tank and pants

" I saw the show in Hartford and they were definitely NOT in PJs then."

When did you see the show in Hartford? In the Hartford video that got shared around they were in pajamas.

Just wanted to say I saw the show Friday (4/21) and it was charming. Solid show. All the leads were amazing and the ensemble was strong. It wasn't anything special, like not going on my list of favorites. But still a good and enjoyable show. I did like the changes they made from the movie, I think it turned it into a full solid plot necessary to make an animated movie into a full broadway musical. Also the cast was the sweetest at stage door, all of them are great.