Why I've Fallen in Love with Anastasia on Broadway

If you haven’t kept up with my life this past year, then let me fill you in.  I have fallen deeply in love with Anastasia on Broadway.  If you are indeed wondering, yes, Anastasia is the Broadway adaption of the 1997 Twentieth Century Fox animated film.  The show opened in April of this year in New York City, and I have never felt such love for a show.  I have personally never seen a show more than once, but Anastasia is the type of show I would love to see over and over again.

I have been keeping up with this show for about over two years now, and for very personal reasons, in which I’d like to express.  Growing up, my grandmother and I adored the movie, mainly because we loved the real story and history of the Romanov family and Russian Revolution (I am now a major history buff on both subjects!).   My grandmother was raised in Scotland her whole life, and her and my grandfather traveled the world immensely.  Even after moving to America, my grandmother had traveled to Scotland and England whenever she could.

If you are familiar with the film at all, than you know that Anastasia and her grandmother had a strong bond.  At the beginning of the film, her grandmother gives her a music box.  The lullaby with the music box goes like this; “On the wind, cross the sea, hear this song and remember, soon you’ll be home with me, once upon a December”.  This was my me and my grandmother’s same lullaby, that we took from the film.  My grandmother even bought me a replica of the music box from the film!  Needless to say, this film is very special to me.  I will always remember that about a week after she passed away over two years ago, they announced that a musical adaption of Anastasia was in the works.  This was around the time that I began talking to Christy Altomare.

Christy is the original and current Anya or Anastasia in the Broadway musical.  Christy and I became Facebook friends about two years ago, and began messaging each other quite often.  She has made such a positive impact on my life over the time I have known her, and she is someone I absolutely adore.  She has been there for me about my grandmother, and I am so thankful to know her.  I had the opportunity to see Anastasia this past June, and Christy invited me backstage afterwards.  I cried throughout the entire show, mainly because, I was able to remember my grandmother in the most special way.  She always wanted a Broadway adaptation and historically accurate depiction, and I was witnessing that very thing on that stage.  My favorite line in the whole show, is when the grandmother gives Anastasia the music box; “When you play it, think of an old woman who loves you very much”.

Anastasia is very different from the film in many ways, and it is much better.  It has moments of sadness, happiness, and mystery.   It is, in my opinion, my ideal of a perfect show.  Anastasia has been a huge comfort and shred in my life for the past year, it is just my feel good type of musical.  The cast is absolutely stellar, and I have found myself in love with everything they do.  The show does still feature the classic songs from the film, but the writers also wrote a bunch of new and different songs for the musical adaption, as well.  Some of my personal favorites from the show are listed here below:

1. Crossing a Bridge
2. Land of Yesterday
3. In a Crowd of Thousands
4. Stay I Pray You
5. Once Upon a December

There are so many more songs, so I definitely recommend you giving it a listen, especially since it is now available on Spotify!  If you’re ever in New York, I strongly encourage you to see Anastasia.  It is a beautiful show, and it is made for all ages.  Plus, Christy Altomare is stunning as Anya!

Ultimate Broadway Ticket Guide

Whenever I hear of any friends or family who are going to see a Broadway show, my immediate question is "how exactly are you buying tickets?".   Broadway is a very expensive business as a whole, and I mean it should be, it's how the actors get paid and, often times the money is worth it.  There are however, many cheap ways and tips on getting around this.  Over the years, I've seen over three or four shows a year on tour, excluding the shows I see in New York.  I've learned the best ways and websites over the years to score the best discounted tickets, and with great seats, too!  

Planning an entire trip to the city can and will be hectic, thus it is better to know the easiest ways to getting those awesome tickets to your favorite shows.  I'm glad to share my tips with you today, and feel free to send me an email or comment if you have questions about a particular show.  Here are some of my tips and sites on getting those cheapest tickets, enjoy!

01. TheaterMania
TheaterMania is both a Broadway news source and ticket source.  They usually have discounts for numerous shows, and their discounts are often great.  They also have an email list that you can sign up for, and get the latest list of show discounts. Back in August, I purchased a ticket to Waitress through TheaterMania's discount.  I got a 60% discount for front mezzanine, talk about a deal!  I would highly recommend giving their site a look!

02. BroadwayBox
BroadwayBox is in fact a very similar site to TheaterMania, and they will often have some great deals on shows as well.  This site is a great way to also find mostly videos on shows, that way you can get a good glimpse of the show before you decide to see it!

03. TKTS
TKTS is a very famous source for purchasing tickets to shows last minute.  They are more of a "day of" system, and only have discount listings for the current week.  They usually have a 50% discount, which is an awesome deal on any shows.  

04. TodayTix
TodayTix is mainly used for Broadway Lotteries.  These are when you can enter a lottery for a show a day before or day off, and luckily win for as low as $20.  You can also purchase through them with others discount codes.

05. Rush
Rush is when you go to the Box Office when it first opens in the early morning.  You can get cheaper tickets the day of the show for usually great seats, mostly orchestra even.  This is a great way to also get Standing Room, where you can stand throughout the show, but for a cheaper price!

06. SRO
Standing-Room-Only is only offered at Broadway shows that are sold out, just throwing that in there.  They're tickets you can purchase where you get to see a show while standing in the very back on the orchestra.  You won't have a seat at all, but sometimes it's worth it!  For instance, if you can get your hands on a SRO ticket for Hamilton, that's especially worth it.

Now I won't lie to you, sometimes you may simply not be able to find discounted tickets.  You might very well have to pay full price.  I had to pay full and normal price for my orchestra seats in Anastasia recently, which weren't bad seats at all.  Sure they were pricey, but I waited literally my whole life for that Broadway show, so it was worth it.  If it's worth the better seats, go for it if you can!

11 Things Broadway Has Taught Me

If you haven't guessed it already, Broadway is my life.  Although there are lots of sappy reasons why I love Broadway there are also certain things that it has taught me.  Theatre has been a major part of my life for the past few years and there's nothing in the world that I would trade it for.  I have made so many friends and there's so many things from being in theatre and from loving Broadway.  Theatre has also had a positive impact on my life and I truly do believe that it has guided me in the right direction since I was a child.  Needless to say I would be lost without Theatre and I also know a lot of people would feel this way as well.

Today I'm going to share with you 11 things at loving Broadway and Theatre has taught me.  There's probably a ton more than I list now but these are the essential life lessons I've learned throughout my years performing.   Whether it's from the amazing people and actors I've met to simply performing onstage myself, Theatre truly is the love of my life and I'm very glad to share this with you today

1. We're All Doing The Same Thing
One time a few years ago and my very first voice class, I was extremely nervous when we were warming up our voices.   Then someone said something that I will never forget nor have I ever, "It's okay, we're all doing the same thing".  I often think about this when I'm in a nervous situation or awaiting an audition but I'm very anxious about.  You see is actors we're all doing the same thing.  We're all following our dreams and we're all willing to embarrass ourselves to achieve those dreams.  

Like the cheesy lyrics from high school musical "we're all in this together", and it's true.  

2. Being Brave
It takes an awful lot of courage to get up on that station embarrass yourself, let me tell you. this is actually one of the things I love most about performing.  For simple show you can go out on stage and be someone else, anyone else that you want.  You can create a character in an entire mindset for a completely different person than you are, and that is very special to me.  Theatre has taught me to be brave to go out and do the bold things that I would never normally do in my life

3. Strength
Performers are the most amazing people I've ever known.  Mainly because most actors have so much inner strength in themselves.  It's very painful to go to an audition and not get that audition, and often times some people may feel the need to quit performing.  But the strongest actors will keep on going and keep auditioning and auditioning again until they finally get an audition callback.  It takes an awful lot of strength not to give up.

4. You Are Special
Everyone is unique and theatre has really showed me how many people out there are so unique.  Everyone has a story, everyone has a background, and theatre really brings that all together. Theatre has also taught me that I am special and I am my own person and that I can get up on stage and be myself (along with someone else!).  

This applies to everyone, so always remember that YOU ARE SPECIAL!!

5. Be Outgoing
I have always been a very shy and timid person, and Theatre has really brought out the best of me.  Theatre has taught me to talk up more and be myself more because there is nothing more important than knowing who you are.  Sure sometimes I am a very shy person but usually when I am around my fellow theatre friends and probably the loudest person!  I'm so thankful for us Broadway and theatre making me more outgoing than I've ever been in my life.

6. Find Your Talent
You really find what you're talented out when you're performing.  Maybe you discover you're actually not a great singer after all, but rather a great actor.  You can also find out what you're comfortable doing and what you're not.  If theatre isn't your thing, it just isn't your thing there's nothing you can really do about it.  But it should encourage you to go venture out and find what you are talented at and what you are extremely passionate about, and that is the dream you should follow.

7. You Can Handle it All
Rehearsals can be long and exhausting, and theatre has really boosted my tolerance up.  You can also learn to withstand more drama and more tough situations.  Broadway in Theatre really builds you to be a stronger person than used to be.

8. Be Yourself
There's not a better place for you to truly be yourself, than when you are performing.  You really cannot be the best you can be unless you are being truly yourself.  If you aren't who you really are, then who are you?  

9. Not Everything Lasts
Whether it's post show depression, or you're really sad that your favorite show just closed, nothing ever really lasts!!  Broadway has made me really more tolerant to knowing things are more short lasting than they are long-lasting.  Although it's always wonderful to live in the moment and enjoy every second you have with what you love. One of my favorite shows on Broadway is closing next month, and boy am I going to be depressed!!

10. Stars Are People, Too
Broadway stars are honestly the most sincere and kind hearted people I know.  Sure there is rude ones now and then, but most of them are just absolutely down to earth and grateful for where they are.  I'm actually friends with a few of them and they really taught me how to not be "starstruck" so to say.  If you are ever stagedooring a show, don't be nervous to go up and talk to your favorite actor they love hearing the kind words you have to say to them!

11. It's Another Day of Sun
As a song from La La Land says, it's just another day of sun.  At the end of the day, you just have to keep doing the same thing until you get good results.  You'll wake up in the morning, try your best and follow your dreams, and that will lead you to the life that you want to live.  And when they let you down, you'll get up off the ground, the morning rolls around and it's another day of sun.

My Top Dining Spots in New York City

I have eaten at many different types of places and situations in the Big Apple, from sit down restaurants to on the go hot dog stands.  You really have to teach yourself what's good and what's not, this is very important to having the best eating experience in the city.  These places I am listing are one's that I have personally been to, but there are plenty and lots of other great spots in New York, I encourage you to research them if you plan on visiting the city!

IL Cortile - Little Italy

I had the pleasure of dining in this restaurant during my last year's summer trip to the city.  It is located right in the heart of Little Italy, and I went after a "shopping" experience in China Town, which is not far at all.  This restaurant is pure and homemade Italian, with a real memorable sauce.  I myself ordered the Chicken Parmesan, which I remember being delicious.  Though, this is a very traditional joint, be weary.  I happened to check my phone after I finished with my family, and one of the waiter's did remind me of the dinner manors!

Joe's Pizza - West Village

Now this tiny joint in West Village, has been my top favorite pizza spot of all time!  It is a very tight and crammed place, as most pizza joints in the city are!  The pizza is absolutely incredible, and any lines you have to wait in is worth it!  If you are a lover of New York pizza (and lets face it, who isn't?) then this is definitely the place of your dreams.  There is also a little park right across from the joint that is a lovely spot to relax!

Lombardi's Pizza - Lower Manhattan

Lombardi's was founded in 1905, which gives it the title of the very first pizzeria in the United States!  This restaurant serves the best of Neapolitan pizza, and it is one of the finest places in the city that I've been to.  This is a classic that you must try at some point during your New York experience, to get to have the original New York pizza!

Junior's Restaurant and Bakery - Midtown

Junior's is known as the perfect spot to have a bite before seeing a Broadway show, mainly because it is located in the heart of most Broadway theatre's.  I was actually waiting until intermission of Hello, Dolly! (which is in view of Junior's literally) let out because I was going over to pick up playbills.  I decided to stop and have a bite at Junior's.  I had a delicious hamburger, along with the most amazing piece of cheesecake ever.  If you ever visit, you must try the strawberry cheesecake!

Majestic Diner - Midtown

Now this is much more of a breakfast option, but it is an option.  The Majestic Diner was a block down from my hotel, so I stopped there to eat in the morning.  I had the most delicious trench toast, and they had plenty of other delicious looking items on their menu!  I highly suggest it if you need a quick but good breakfast.