Spotlight on Musical Theatre: Anastasia and Wicked
- thecantabilecollective
- Nov 16, 2020
- 3 min read
By: Deeba Mehr
Anastasia
Anastasia premiered in the Hartford theatre in Connecticut before making its Broadway debut in 2017. It was performed in the Broadhurst Theatre until its closure in 2019, though it also has productions around the world in Madrid, Germany and Japan. The lyrics and music were produced by Lynn Ahrens and Steven Flaherty, who were the original minds behind the music of the 1997 movie which the show was heavily inspired by.
The show was split into two acts, the first of which was set in St. Petersburg and the second located in Paris. The story was inspired by the modern legend of Princess Anastasia; the Romanov princess who was believed to have escaped the assassination of her entire family. The title character (originally played by Christy Altomare) lost her memory and suffered from flashbacks as a result of the shooting. She had a new name, Anya, and all she knew was that she needed to get to Paris. She met two con men (played by Derek Klena and John Bolton) who agreed to take her to Paris under the guise of Anastasia. However, none of them knew her true identity: Anastasia.
Some of the music was reused from the 1997 film while there were also some new numbers. The nostalgic melodies of the original music, combined with the vibrancy of the new songs make a beautiful soundtrack to listen to. Some songs are haunting and sad (such as Once Upon a December) while some are reminiscent of classic old-school Broadway (Paris Holds the Key to Your Heart.) The range of emotion in the show and its music contributes to the overall wonderful experience when watching. Interestingly, Ahrens and Flaherty chose to combine some of their music with Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake in a couple of scenes, which grounded the show in another version of reality. The Academy Award-nominated song Journey To The Past from the movie was also featured, which simply added to the nostalgia one might feel while watching this show.
Music aside, the costume design by Linda Cho was nominated for a Tony Award. This is not surprising at all when one sees the vast range of attire, from street worker to soldier to royalty. The Broadhurst theatre used a computerised projection across the back wall of the stage, in order to create a backdrop for the sets, which shows how technology has the ability to enhance and modernise the traditional limitations of working on a stage. The costumes in combination with the set design plunged the viewers into a different reality, making you wish that what you watched was true, while knowing at the same time that it isn’t.
Wicked
Wicked is a classic member of the Broadway roster; it’s in the same league as The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables in terms of international renown. Based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, it was intended as a prequel to the iconic 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, and details the path that led the main character, Elphaba, to becoming the Wicked Witch of the West.
One of the most impactful aspects of the show is the complex plotline and underrunning themes. The composer and lyricist, Steven Schwartz worked with Emmy Award-winning writer Winnie Holzman for over a year to adapt the complicated storylines from Maguire’s novel into a stage-appropriate script. The story deals with themes such as beauty standards, systemic corruption, and individual morality while at the same time featuring light-hearted numbers such as Popular.
The show has a number of majorly popular songs. These songs, one of which is the famous “Defying Gravity,” have had such an impact on the industry that they are notoriously overdone audition songs. The special effects, particularly in the scene in which “Defying Gravity” is sung, add to the drama that provides the climax of the show and create a truly unforgettable experience for every member of the audience.
Image Sources
Photo by Matthew Murphy
Wicked: https://www.mirvish.com/shows/wicked#gallery-2
Photo by Joan Marcus
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