I’m back after my little journey to Manhattan. This line of people stretched way down the block – ticket holders for the Wednesday matinee. We’re a few months away from the two year anniversary of Anastasia opening on Broadway. There have been many cast changes in the past year as original cast members left at the end of their contracts to pursue other work. But there are several original cast members still with us – some from way back in Hartford. Christy, thank goodness, is still playing the title character and, as I said on IG yesterday, as many times as I’ve heard her sing Journey to the Past, I still get chills. She is simply extraordinary.
I was there to check in on the young man I was working with a month or so ago. He’s come such a long way. It was great to see him owning the stage yesterday. I had only a few notes for him, he’s doing that well. I got a chance to see and chat with Christy and several other cast members, but I tried to be efficient with my time since it was a two show day and the actors needed their break between shows.
I am so fortunate to have been with this show since the beginning. It has been a joy from the start. I never tire of seeing it or hearing the glorious score by Ahrens and Flaherty.
Grateful.
I went in a bit early so that I could make a few stops, one of which was to drop off a piece of jewelry for repair. I also stopped at two bookstores (see yesterday’s post), both within a few blocks of Bryant Park. I found the new book in the IQ series by Joe Ide. Perfect. And I picked up the new Country Home and Flea Market Style at Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue. Had time for a quick sandwich and then I headed for the theater.
A long day, but they always are.
Yesterday was unseasonably warm, as is today. It’s raining, the temperature is going to hit 51 degrees, then it will plummet overnight and we’ll be back down to very cold weather yet again. It’s been a crazy winter so far. As I was walking back to Port Authority last night, the temperatures were so balmy that I felt a longing for spring.
We’re going to watch Mary Poppins Returns and The Green Book tonight because we have to vote for the SAG awards by noon tomorrow. A double feature!
Happy Thursday.
I would happily trade your balmy 51 degrees for Wisconsin’s -30 wind chills tonight, Claudia! My daughter saw the traveling Broadway production of Anastasia two weeks ago in Appleton, Wisconsin. She was reluctant to go, since she loves the story line so much and was hesitant as how the musical might portray the characters. I urged her to go, based on your high praise of this musical, and she happily reported she was “transported” by the production and it is now her new favorite musical!
So happy to hear that! Ahrens and Flaherty wrote the songs for the movie, so there is a strong connection to the original that runs throughout the show. Yay!
My daughter is going to be in New York the beginning of February, and she is going to go see Anastasia!
Wonderful! I know that she’ll enjoy it, Linda!
Sounds like a really good day in the city. I still dream of coming to NYC and seeing a Broadway show…one of these days. I’ve wrenched my back again, grrr, but resting it today again should help. What is it lately that my body just won’t cooperate? (age perhaps?)
Oh, I understand. My back is iffy on a good day!
Sounds like a lovely day for you. Productive…yet room for fun…bookstores. We got more snow yesterday…and it looks to be mighty cold here with cold wind chills…brrrrr.
I’ll be interested to hear what you think about those two movies…both were on my list to see…but, so far I haven’t been able to get there. Stay warm…and snuggle in! ;)
Thank you, Donnamae! I’ll talk about the movies tomorrow.
sounds like yesterday was a good day on the job and for finding something you wanted to read. :) hope you can stay in today and enjoy the new book.
it is getting windy here; tomorrow’s wind chill is to drop to 32 degrees below zero. :( guess i should be grateful that it’s a practically-balmy 21 degrees here right now. ha not ha.
be safe and warm, everyone!
kathy in iowa
This weather is getting on my last nerve!
Hi Claudia,
Hopefully Anastasia will transfer to London, I’d love to see it. I saw ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ in the Christmas break and enjoyed it. Emily Blunt’s characterisation is probably more true to the P.L. Travers books but the songs are nowhere near as memorable as the original film.
I’m off to see ‘Mary, Queen of Scots’ tomorrow – as long as I regard the film as an historical drama (I’ve seen the trailer – Mary and Elizabeth never actually met!)
Dee Dee
Strangely, I have no interest in Mary, Queen of Scots. Unless I know a ‘historic’ film is spot on I regard it as I do historical fiction – a no go. Let us know what you think after you’ve seen it.
I remember balmy weather!! Our daughter bought a house in Madison and tomorrow the movers come. Temps should be about -35* wind chills. Glad it is them and not us doing that job!!
Happy to hear you had a good and productive day with no glitches. Have fun watching the movies tonight. Stay warm!!
Oh what a terrible day to have to move!
Balmy is a feeling of weather I might have forgotten. I’m trying to settle in for the next wave of cold. Which is supposed to hit sometime Saturday early Sunday.
Sunday. A high of -5. Sunday the day I am to go to Duluth to see the Wizard of OZ on the big screen.
I am glad you had a a productively wonderful day in the city.
Well, temps are plunging tonight so it only lasted a day and a half! Have fun watching Wizard!
Love MP Returns, especially the costumes. The movie feels more “modern” because of the sets and lighting, I.e. , like it was made now, as it was. The original feels so much more like classic Disney to me. And a walk down Main Street USA rather than London. However, I love both movies. I really enjoyed Blunt’s interpretation of MP but no one can match Andrews’ voice. Enjoy the double feature!
Believe it or not, I’ve never seen the original. I’ve seen scenes from it, but I wasn’t all that interested in it, though I love Julie Andrews.
It sounds like a wonderful and I hope the movies were worth the time too. I’ve heard good things about both and looking forward to both, so I hope you can share your thoughts (is that allowed for SAG voters?)
It must be a good feeling to revisit the show and see that it is going as it should be, with few notes and especially that the new fellow is doing well. All that and bookstores, too. My kind of day!
Probably, though I don’t want to say anything too negative about all of the films we’ve seen because I don’t want to influence anyone.
Yes, the show has evolved a bit, new cast members spark changes in scenes and action, but the basic show is the same and solidly wonderful.
Glad you had good weather for your trip to the city. As far as Mary Queen Of Scots. The book by Antonia Fraser is a good one if you are interested in the history.
Marilyn
Thanks, Marilyn.
The movie I’ve really wanted to see is “The Favorite” and it only is playing in the “art house” cinemas in this area, not close by. Like the other Wisconsinites further up the comments, I’m over the sub-zero temps. Good time of year now to just stay in, light the fireplace and find some good movies. And knit!
I wish to thank those who left such nice comments in response to my brother’s sudden passing. Thank goodness I still have one other brother. He lives an hour away in No. IL so we were able to drive together down to St. Louis. I have a feeling we’ll now be even closer than ever.
Live every day as if it’s your last.
It’s quite good, Kay. We really enjoyed it.
Take care and give yourself space in which to mourn, my friend.
Two years does not seem possible!…how amazing it must feel for Christy to have her picture up on a marquee on Broadway!!!…I can only imagine…I hope you both enjoyed the movies…
I can’t imagine, either!
We are going to watch The Green Book on Friday. :-)