If you look at pictures of the scene it’s overwhelming. The wall near the corner is covered in blood. You can imagine the girls screaming huddled in the corner as bullets rain on them. It shouldn’t be considered an execution it should be considered a massacre. At least in execution it’s one shot to the head this was so many bullets that the soldiers had to leave to let the smoke clear out before they could check that they were all dead.
We talked about Anastasia in history class. Supposedly according to my professor, the "returned Anastasia" was actually a girl that worked for the Romanoff family. She was a servant that looked a lot like Anastasia. She was able to tell personal family stories because she had watched the family while she was serving them. She was thought to be Anastasia, but when her corpse was DNA tested years and years later, it was not Anastasia.
I just realized Ramin doesn't take a breath after his "Anya" at 1:49 - he holds it and GOES RIGHT INTO THE REST OF THE PHRASE without any breath!!! The heck!!!
B. Dragon Chantant I know, it's amazing! The vocal skills he uses in this role and all the power that comes with his take on the Phantom & Valjean completely leave me in awe. He's one of my fav musical theater performers.
spoiler if you haven’t seen the show: In the audience during this song you can feel how tense it is, and after this song there’s a point where he puts the gun up to his head and you can actually hear people’s gasps. Everything feels like it stops after so much happens in this song. This show is good at demonstrating a mood and having it reflect onto the audience. It was an amazing experience to come to New York and see it
I really like the line "Do it and I will be with my parents and my brother and sisters in that cellar in Ekaterinburg all over again" because it sort of reminds me that when she got back her memories, it wasn't just the happy life she lived before and the home she desired, there was a lot of pain in it too
@@folklorevermore13 theres a fan theory as to how she survived actually! So you know how in "The Neva Flows" we find out that Gleb's father was the one who killed the Romanov's? (Or at least was part of that firing squad?) Well then, Gleb says that his mother tells him not to ask and that his father "died of shame". Why would Gleb's father die of shame if he supported the revolution and was therefore doing his duty? People think that Gleb's father might've actually snuck Anya out after finding her alive- we know she was shot after all, we see her teenage self get shot at the beginning of the musical- and therefore that's why Gleb's father "died of shame" because he knew that he had betrayed the revolution. (Just a note, obviously Gleb doesn't know this and thinks that his father went through with what he was supposed to do). If this is true, then it also gives a whole new meaning to the ending of the show. Spoiler alert, but Gleb does not go through with killing Anya. When she asks him what he will tell the Bolsheviks back in Russia, he says that "he wasn't his father's son after all" and is clearly very disappointed in himself (just like his father would be... some Gleb actors have even interpreted this ending and have held up the gun to kill themself instead of Anya, but then chose not to as well). IF Gleb's father was the one that saved Anya ten years prior, then Gleb is wrong: he IS his father's son after all. He did the right thing, knowing that he was betraying his entire livelihood. If this theory is true, it redeems Gleb's father and gives Gleb a sort of opposite character arc: he thought he was his father's son but then realized he wasn't, when in fact, it's the other way around. Sorry for the long explanation, but I just love this theory!
Sarah Turner this sounds so cool, I love it! It makes you question whether he died of shame because he killed the Romanovs or because he let one of them go.
Skating Things That's a valid emotion on its own, but I would make a case supporting this song. This reprise demonstrates more than just anger, it demonstrates heartbreak, bitter loyalty, conflict, sorrow, honor, and guilt. Not only that, but this song has the most tension in the song, you'll find audience members gasping as Gleb points the gun towards his head. So I find that all combined makes this the most emotional. The writing is also amazing, as it lives up to the character and has more emotional impact because Gleb has depth as a character. He struggles between love and mercy, but also honor and duty. That sort of conflict is something people can relate to, but seeing as he is the antagonist here, the audience feels that very same conflict. The ability for conflict to bounce back on the audience gives an added affect.
I love the epic climax of the original movie, with Rasputin's evil sorcery and the demonic Pegasus statue, and Anya crushing Rasputin's reliquary under her shoe for her family and for Dimitri while bidding him "do svidaniya" will forever be one of the greatest scenes in animation. However, I feel this climax manages to equal the intensity and epicness of the former even if the confrontation happens between two characters behind closed doors, in an intimate and secluded space: the stories of two people whose lives were destroyed by the revolution, even if in different ways, finally come to their reckoning in a dramatic fashion. While Anya has struggled with her trauma, faced it and managed to overcome it, Gleb's denial of the horror the revolution has brought upon the Romanovs finally cracks under the pressure of his own sorrow and love for her, shattering the illusion that their deaths were necessary and for the good o the Russian people. It is a much more realistic ending that doesn't diminish the cinematic strength of its supernatural counterpart, while at the same time managing to portray the contradictions that the Russian revolution generated.
I believe the “my mother said he died of shame” line isn’t about Gleb’s father letting Anastasia live, thus betraying the revolution. I believe it’s about the shame of murdering the family he served because he was told it was for the greater good.
Anni Shae Also, do you think Anastasia should have one too? Like I’m imagining that Gleb would have a red lightsaber, since he’s Soviet, while Anya might have a white lightsaber, which would symbolize the White Russians who opposed the Reds.
I love the original movie, it's really an animation masterpiece and an enchanting tale about the power of love, both familial and romantic. But I equally love this new rendition of the story because of all the new wonderful songs that blend in so perfectly with the original, and most of all because it has the guts to face the real cause of the Romanovs" downfall. Granted, the original was targeted towards children so it was better to leave politics out of the story, but it gave the impression that Russia was a gilded world of wonders and wealth under the Tzars when it actually was like that for a lucky few and the vast majority of people lived in poverty and oppression, not to mention having their fathers, husbands and sons slaughtered in WWI. This musical tackles the issue of the ROmanovs' guilts versus the fate they encountered, and rejects a simple good/bad interpretation. Gleb has been taught to follow the party's ideology and he wants to follow in his father's footsteps but deep down he knows that what they did was wrong. Anya acknowledges her father's faults in ruling the country, but to her they were her family, not some tyrannical rulers who thrived at the people's expense.
When my school did this, the guy who plays Gleb was phenomenal. When he sang ‘the revolution’s a simple thing!’, he actually cuts himself off, because he’s too distraught and too conflicted to shoot Anastasia.
Gleb: My father shook his head told me not to ask My mother said he died of shame Anastasia: In me you see them, look at their faces in mine, Hear their screams, imagine their terror, see their blood! Gleb: But I believe he did a proud and vital task And in my father's name... Anastasia: Do it and I will be with my parents and my brother And sisters in that cellar in Ekaterinburg all over again Gleb: The children, their voices. A man makes painful choices He does what's necessary, Anya! For Russia, my beauty. What choice but simple duty? We have the past to bury, Anya! Ensemble: The Neva flows, a new wind blows Gleb and ensemble: And soon it will be spring. The leaves unfold, the Tsar lies cold! Gleb: Be careful what a dream may bring. A revolution is a simple thing!
When the chorus comes in and the music swells up and he's got the gun pointed at her it's all just -- this overwhelming sense of emotion I get, same thing that happens in Quartet at the Ballet, bc it's just. So many motives. So many voices telling a story. This musical is truly a work of art and I'm sad I never got to see it in person 😭
i mean idk y'all maybe it's just the fact ramin plays gleb, the face of the "communist" revolution who loves red, and that he is also known to play enjolras what makes me FEEL THINGS
But for real now when I first listened to this I wasn't paying too much attention and read the lyrics beforehand, which included Gleb, and I just sat there and thought to myself "F**king plottwist" xD
As much as I love this song, it’s kinda confusing when you look at Anastasia’s backstory. She says that she was in the “cellar in Yekaterinburg” where her family was executed, but in the musical, it is implied that she was shot in the Palace trying to grab her music box and lost her memories. So, did Anastasia “die” in the cellar or in the palace? I’m confused.
Falling Crane interesting point. I think the musical tried to keep it historical and that's where Yekateringburg comes in, while the music box is a nod to the movie. but I saw that more as a way to simply end the first scene.
Bradley Johnson this part doesn't get as much recognition as it should. Easily one of the best parts of this song (other than Anyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!), and it's my favourite.
Mark Carrie Exactly! His inflection is desperate and shows he's trying to prioritize his country over Anya. He believes he's doing what's best, but feels guilt and conflict down inside. I love that line so much.
The children, their voices, a man makes painful choices... We have a past to bury, Anya... I swear to God this song and specially those lines send chills through my spine!!! I'm practicing Once Upon a December now in my singing lessons, and just remembered I saw the show when it came to Spain years ago. Gleb was an amazing character, but I would have died if I saw Ramin play him!!! Even though I saw him perform Murder Ballad and met him afterwards, also lots of years ago 😂❤
This is like, the best scene. Gleb clearly has feelings for her, and those feelings are influencing him, but his love is not only romantic and is not limited to romance - I think it`s also a genuine compassion towards the other person. And when earlier he says 'Love is not what revolutions for' I think he talks not about his feelings for Anya, but about the general mercy and forgiveness - because revolution demands some amount of cruelty and ruthlessness.
My favorite part about this song is at the end you don't hear a gunshot or you don't hear the "I can't do it" because it leaves the viewer mystery on whether he actually shot her or not also there's different variations of how the story ends. Also if we were to do a musical about Anastasia in my high school, I would like for it to be the sad ending. The reason being is that's how history had it Anastasia did die at the age of 17 also to give the viewer a roller coaster ride of emotions and show them that not every 'princess movie' has a happily ever after.
Ikr, in a way, I wish this was the last song. It would give her a more realistic death and show how brutally she had to die. I wish there was a way to have both endings, because I also love the one they have now.
@@a.person4761 I agree, both endings are good endings and you have to have a little imagination in the finale song, because the song works either way if she dies or not.
This may be wrong but just imagine it for a second. So imagine Gled is going to talk to Anya and ask her to run back to Russia with him but she won't be Anastasia. But when he hears her talking about either staying in Paris or running off with someone else he gets mad and goes through with his original plan, killing her or bring her back to Russia.
Apparently they are talking about a tour that will come to the UK......found out online from Broadway News. However I am not sure when it will come to the UK....probably some time next year or something :) Can''t wait when it does :) I hope Ramin reprises his role :) His voice is so sexy :)
I watched the Dallas production of this and both of the actors that played Dimetri and Gleb looked identical so throughout The Who play I was soconfused on which character was on stage. This is I specially true for this scene because Anistasta/Anya had just finished a song about loving Demetri when one of those actors walked on stage, so I thought “why has Demetri come- *pulls out gun* ow it’s Gleb.”
When I first heard this song the lyrics were different. ): I liked that version more. I'll write it out as I remember it. [GLEB] I heard the children as they sang beyond the gate I saw my father on patrol [ANYA] (spoken) Did you see them? Look at their faces in mine, imagine their terror, see their blood! [GLEB] I heard the gunfire on the night they met their fate My father played his role [ANYA] (spoken) Do it. Do it and I will be with my parents and my brother and sisters in that cellar in Yekaterinburg all over again! [GLEB] Orders must be followed Soldiers must obey Questions we must not allow We each must do our duty Each no matter how Sweep pavement, fill pages We have the past to bury Happiness is not what matters now! [ENSEMBLE] The Neva flows, a new wind blows [GLEB & ENSEMBLE] And soon it will be spring The leaves unfold, the Tsar lies cold [GLEB, spoken] For the last time, who are you? [ANYA, spoken] I am the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanov! [GLEB] And I will pull the trigger As I've been told!
“If you really are Anastasia, do you think history wants you to have lived?!” _“Yes!”_ I always found this line interesting. Especially when you consider Russia didn't want the Romanov children dead. They just wanted a better Tsar and couldn't care less whatever happened to Nikolai’s family afterward. It was the Bolsheviks who didn't have enough faith in their regime and felt threatened by what might happen if the children lived. It also makes you wonder what might have happened if the true Anastasia, or any of the children, revealed themselves in real life. Would they have been a rallying point for a counter-revolution just like the Bolsheviks feared? Would the Tsarship be reinstated and they be crowned as Tsar or Tsarina? And how would Russia look today if this all did happen? All very interesting ideas, but unfortunately, we’ll never get the answer.
hey Kasey I am pleased you enjoyed the show. When I go to Ny next and see Laura D in deh for the final time, before she leaves the show. I am def gonna try and get tickets for Anastasia. I hope the show is not sold out by then. I have heard mixed reviews about the acting on the show but hopefully it was worth seeing. I have heard Once Island Broadway is also good and surprisingly Sponge Bob got dope reviews but not sure if I want to see these two. Will see what the reviews are like when more come out.
This Musical is a massive mixed bag for me. On one end you have beautiful Russian style songs pieces like Glebs songs, Stay I Pray You, Once Upon a December, Quartet at The Ballet. Then you have a wide assortment of hit or miss comedy sings like Rumor in St Petersburg (Like it) or countess and the common Man (hate it) and then My Petersburg which is virtually irredeemable for every single reason
If you listen to this right after Everything to win reprise, that song's last line wit this song's first word is ,,With everyhing to win the only thing i lose is...Gleb. And maybe it's just me, but I find this so funny, even though it's not a so happy song. And I think Gleb would be happy if he'd know that Anya thinks that😂
This scene was so intense I’m like “omg she’s dead” but then he’s like “nah fam I love you Anastasia” and I’m like “omg Anastasia better choose dmitry”
