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Post by ali973 on May 20, 2016 14:42:32 GMT
Stage adaptation of Lynn Ahrens' and Stephen Flaherty's animated movie is currently trying-out in Hartford, CT. I for one is by far more interested in this than something like Aladdin. The new version is now more like an pop operetta than whimsical Disney-on steroids. Anya/Anastasia is played by Christy Altomare and Derek Klena is Dimitri, both of them alumni of the recent off-Broadway Carrie. The fabulous Caroline O'Connor also plays a featured character. Some of the characters in the "cartoon" have been replaced, and half a dozen new songs have been added. Opening on Broadway in the 2016-17 season. Not sure if this means anytime in 2016, but I hope it does so I can see it during my December trip! Not sure this has any chance of a West End transfer due to less-than-Disney brand recognition, but I have a feeling it will do very well in the US be it on Broadway or regional. I think the film might be a lot more popular there.  |
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Post by broadwayguy91 on Aug 26, 2016 1:41:56 GMT
Christy Altarmore performing Journey to the Past from the recent pre-Broadway Hartford stage tryout Title is intentionally misleading  in order to avoid being taken down |
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Post by broadwayguy91 on Aug 30, 2016 6:46:45 GMT
Wow. talk about anal. sorry for giving you free advertising *rolls eyes*
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Post by 49thand8th on Aug 30, 2016 14:11:17 GMT
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Post by westendwendy on Sept 1, 2016 12:13:42 GMT
Amazing show, I'm flying to NYC to see this specifically next Spring.
Dreadful artwork.....
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2016 16:29:07 GMT
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Post by demelza on Sept 25, 2016 23:48:31 GMT
Who the heck is Gleb when he's at home? Don't remember him in the film???
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Anastasia
Sept 26, 2016 4:20:52 GMT
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Post by Stasia on Sept 26, 2016 4:20:52 GMT
Who the heck is Gleb when he's at home? Don't remember him in the film??? Heis not in the film, they've created this character for a musical specifically |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 9:11:18 GMT
Having read the synopsis for the show, it's extremely different to the film, and thank heaven for that, because the basic story of a lost orphan who may or may not be totally is a lost duchess but will she find her grandmother and will she remember her and vice versa etc is interesting enough without having zombie Rasputin casting evil spells all over the shop. Still some possibly unnecessary melodrama, but on the whole it sounds MUCH better.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 9:40:06 GMT
Fabulous. Now who is playing Bartok?
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Anastasia
Sept 26, 2016 11:27:08 GMT
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Post by catqc on Sept 26, 2016 11:27:08 GMT
Where did you find the synopsis for the show? Would love to have a read - I too was very puzzled by having no recollection of a Gleb
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Anastasia
Sept 26, 2016 11:42:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 11:42:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 17:17:47 GMT
Do they still have the weird baddie in this that was voiced by Christopher Lloyd, who's head always fell off?
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Post by couldileaveyou on Sept 26, 2016 19:40:26 GMT
I wonder who is gonna play the Dowager Empress... Mary Beth Peil was the best thing in it, I'm sorry she won't reprise the role on Broadway... she's really losing a Tony nod
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Anastasia
Sept 26, 2016 22:40:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 22:40:04 GMT
Do they still have the weird baddie in this that was voiced by Christopher Lloyd, who's head always fell off? That was zombie Rasputin, and he's gone. |
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Post by catqc on Sept 27, 2016 16:57:15 GMT
Interesting, thanks! The addition of Gleb makes it much more Dr Zhivago-esque to my mind, which I'm not sure about given the success of the last Dr Zhivago on Broadway! |
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 16, 2017 2:54:58 GMT
saw this tonight on Broadway. Sad so say it's such a missed opportunity, historically and culturally inaccurate, miss cast, bad set, faux american, terrible lyrics, cheesy, naff - a big fat flop. Even the nice singing couldn't save it for me. The turkey of the trip. A disappointing 5/10
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Post by forb4 on Apr 16, 2017 6:09:43 GMT
saw this tonight on Broadway. Sad so say it's such a missed opportunity, historically and culturally inaccurate, miss cast, bad set, faux american, terrible lyrics, cheesy, naff - a big fat flop. Even the nice singing couldn't save it for me. The turkey of the trip. A disappointing 5/10 I saw it a couple nights ago and I had the opposite reaction haha. Thought it was magical! It's getting a very good word of mouth. |
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Anastasia
Apr 16, 2017 14:36:16 GMT
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 16, 2017 14:36:16 GMT
saw this tonight on Broadway. Sad so say it's such a missed opportunity, historically and culturally inaccurate, miss cast, bad set, faux american, terrible lyrics, cheesy, naff - a big fat flop. Even the nice singing couldn't save it for me. The turkey of the trip. A disappointing 5/10 I saw it a couple nights ago and I had the opposite reaction haha. Thought it was magical! It's getting a very good word of mouth. I'm sure there are PR trolls on this site. (Especially noting the time difference that I write my posts and see the replies) It looks like a regional production! Caroline O'Conner who I love is horribly miscast in this - it's not meant to be Mack and Mabel. Ramin too who I adore is meant to be a menacing Russian officer and plays the role like an angry Chris in Miss Siagon. It has obviously been written by Americans who do not know russian mindset, culture or social behaviour. At one point Anya asked "why do they call you Dima?" Every Russian in the world knows that Dima is short for Dmitry. Anya also complains about a man smoking in the train carriage. I laughed out loud - this is meant to be 1918 or whatever year. The word of mouth having been in piano bars and met several friends in the industry including two producers I know here is actually mostly negative. Although the new music is good it's still a naff, boring and cheap looking production. It won't win any awards. Average Joe might like it but the solid fact is that it is not in the same league and standard as other Disney shows sadly. Such a shame. |
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Anastasia
Apr 16, 2017 16:45:26 GMT
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Post by catqc on Apr 16, 2017 16:45:26 GMT
What a shame that you didn't enjoy it! I was really hoping this would be good, has anyone else seen it?
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Post by ali973 on Apr 16, 2017 16:53:29 GMT
I don't think this is or will be groundbreaking theatre. But from what I've seen, it looks pretty. If we were to examine it critically, yes it's probably banal, but I've managed my own expectations. As long as Once Upon a December and Journey to the Past are fabulously done, I'm happy. From the clips I've seen, they look really nice. I'm seeing it late May.
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 16, 2017 18:33:24 GMT
I don't think this is or will be groundbreaking theatre. But from what I've seen, it looks pretty. If we were to examine it critically, yes it's probably banal, but I've managed my own expectations. As long as Once Upon a December and Journey to the Past are fabulously done, I'm happy. From the clips I've seen, they look really nice. I'm seeing it late May. Journey to the Past is the end of act one. LED screens of bright pink cherry blossom fill the space and she stands mid stage, doesn't move and belts it out brilliantly. Finishes with sunset and zoom into Paris. She performs the song well - the crowd loved it, I just wish she had moved and worked the stage more. |
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Post by ali973 on Apr 16, 2017 18:44:58 GMT
I'm familiar with the staging, I've seen a video since it was done in Hartford. But I thought the background was Paris during the final big note. We'll see..I'm excited to see it if anything for the two songs. The moving train staging looked both nauseating but exciting
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Post by forb4 on Apr 16, 2017 18:47:21 GMT
I saw it a couple nights ago and I had the opposite reaction haha. Thought it was magical! It's getting a very good word of mouth. I'm sure there are PR trolls on this site. (Especially noting the time difference that I write my posts and see the replies) It looks like a regional production! Caroline O'Conner who I love is horribly miscast in this - it's not meant to be Mack and Mabel. Ramin too who I adore is meant to be a menacing Russian officer and plays the role like an angry Chris in Miss Siagon. It has obviously been written by Americans who do not know russian mindset, culture or social behaviour. At one point Anya asked "why do they call you Dima?" Every Russian in the world knows that Dima is short for Dmitry. Anya also complains about a man smoking in the train carriage. I laughed out loud - this is meant to be 1918 or whatever year. The word of mouth having been in piano bars and met several friends in the industry including two producers I know here is actually mostly negative. Although the new music is good it's still a naff, boring and cheap looking production. It won't win any awards. Average Joe might like it but the solid fact is that it is not in the same league and standard as other Disney shows sadly. Such a shame. I'm not a PR troll? I just recently discovered this site, mostly hang out on Broadwayworld but thanks. I'm so sure that a U.K. message board is a real priority for these guys. Considering a Russian audience is not the target audience, I can forgive a few inaccuracies. This isn't a Disney show btw. We must be talking to different people then bc I've heard good things. Anyway This'll probably end up like Wicked - more polarizing with critics but a hit with the audience |
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Post by ali973 on Apr 16, 2017 18:59:55 GMT
Agreed- this isn't groundbreaking theatre. The target audience is 12 year old girls, 30something women and showqueens who grew up watching the movie (raises hands!). No Russian history buff is out here to see this. So if it's culturally sloppy, it's pretty much what I can expect from American musical theatre. After all, it's in the same town where Miss Saigon and Aladdin are playing. Cultural sensitivity or accuracy is not the forte of commercial Broadway musicals. PS- I don't think you're a PR troll, btw. You don't exhibit the traits of a PR person, a troll, or a PR troll  |
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in order to avoid being taken down 
