by Samantha Sheets“Who am I?” is a question the title character Anya ponders throughout act one of the musical “Anastasia”, based off the 1997 Fox movie. The story is based loosely off of Russian history and ancestry. "Anastasia: The Musical" tells the tale of Anya, a young girl with amnesia who may be a Romanov heiress who has witnessed her entire family be massacred in a revolution. And while the movie bats an eye around this dark theme, only really addressing the harrowing past of this young girl in a nightmare, the musical addresses it head-on. The Broadway production’s book was written by Terrence McNally, accompanied beautifully alongside Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens’s music and lyrics. It is currently being shown at the Broadhurst Theater. Like in the movie, Anya embarks on a journey to her past alongside two con-men, Dmitry and Vlad. Anya hopes to retrieve her memories and regain contact with the woman she suspects is her grandmother, the last surviving Romanov. Dmitry and Vlad are in pursuit of the money reward being offered for the grand duchesses’s return home. So the two conmen attempt to pass Anya off as Anastasia so that all three can get what they want. The conmen get their money and Anya regains her past. Although it is based heavily off of the 1997 movie of the same name, this adaption does stray from its roots. Musical Anya/Anastasia, unlike her 1997 movie version, has become fearful from the trauma she does not remember. Interestingly, she now holds many symptoms that match PTSD. This is evident in several instances within the musical as the audience begins to believe she might actually be the lost princess. The biggest difference this adaption faces is its villain. In the movie, the antagonist is the dark monk Rasputin, who is accompanied by his albino bat; Both seek to murder our protagonist through the use of black magics. The musical chooses to swap that out for a more realistic approach and creates its own villain who fulfills Rasputin’s role. This villain is a revolutionist named Gleb, played by Ramin Karimloo. The audience quickly learns that Gleb’s father had participated in the fall of the Romanov hierarchy firsthand and had been one of the soldiers who took part in the gruesome murder of Anastasia's family. Although this alteration makes the piece more realistic, as an audience member I began to question if a villain in the production was entirely necessary. Karimloo, although extremely talented, was forgettable. That being said, his final number where he finally embraces his role as the villain and draws a gun on our protagonist was chilling to say the least. The staging of the scene replicates the horrid murder of Anya/Anastasia’s family, and Gleb begins to question if he can fulfil what his father began a decade prior. While this scene had me on the edge of my seat as a gun was pressed against Anya/Anastasia's head, it inevitably ended too abruptly. (Start of spoiler) Gleb is unable to pull the trigger because he has fallen in love with Anya/Anastasia, even though the two have only interacted three times within the show at this point (End of spoiler). Gleb’s inclusion into the plot paralleled that of Ted Hinton in the flopped musical Bonnie and Clyde. While Hinton was historically in love with Bonnie Parker, his inclusion made the troubled show fall flat, much like how I felt about Gleb. And while I thoroughly enjoyed all of the musical numbers sung by Gleb, if you removed him from the plot the show would move on seamlessly without him. His inclusion does not affect the show in any real way. Gleb’s interactions with Anya/Anastasia, aside from his final number mentioned above, do not imprint worry that he might truly stop her from completing her journey. Therefore, as an audience member, rather than fear him I questioned his competence. With the criticisms out of the way, I genuinely enjoyed this production. While I was not necessarily surprised by anything the show offered, as I have seen the movie and own the Broadway musical soundtrack, the show still left me in awe. The costumes were impeccable, and I am baffled on how the musical lost the Tony Award for “Best Costumes”. The musical replicated outfits from the movie perfectly and the actors who filled these costumes embraced the characters wholeheartedly. A number that showcases these costumes is “Quartet at the Ballet”. In the scene, the characters are all lavishly dressed in preparation to attend a Parisian ballet. Anya/Anastasia wears a blue sequined dressed that perfectly resembles the dress worn in the movie. Christy Altomare who plays Anya/Anastasia and fills this blue dress is phenomenal. She not only believably plays fearful and hopeful with ease, she’s also charismatic and makes you understand every complex emotion Anya/Anastasia is feeling. Whether that be Anya/Anastasia's frustration at not being able to relearn her past easily, or simply her glee of arriving in Paris where she can finally prove she is the lost princess. Anya/Anastasia’s love interest Dmitry (Derek Klena) is not to be overlooked either. Klena naturally resembles his character from the movie, and has a powerhouse voice that is swoon worthy. The duo make the small casted show feel large within the world they are able to successfully create. You feel you are in St. Petersburg in Dmitry’s solo “My Petersburg”. When the trio travels to Paris in “Paris Holds the Key (To Your Heart)”, you teleport there alongside them. These travel sequences are accompanied by projections of scenery that can be seen through windows that are set on stage. You can see time pass as the seasons change in “Learn to Do It” and you are in 1907 Russia with Anya in the famous “Once Upon a December”. The projections, much like the gorgeous costumes, do not feel cheap and look magnificent. Both the set and clothing designs definitely set it apart from other Broadway productions. Similarly to when Dmitry sees Anya/Anastasia in her blue gown, I was left speechless. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by "Anastasia: The Musical". I was going into this performance already being a fan of the music and lyrics, and it was still able to leave a twinkle in my eyes. I overall enjoyed my time at the Broadhurst Theater as a whole and being teleported to both Russia and Paris simultaneously. I actually plan to buy another ticket for a second viewing as I want to relive the magical atmosphere the show provides. Anya might begin act one by struggling to dance and questioning "Who am I?", but the musical has found its footing and is sure of itself.
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by Nelson HerasFIVE THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED, this is the number of victims of Pablo Escobar's attempt to keep his drug business alive. When you think of this number you can't keep yourself from thinking of how horrible this man was. Then you hear the number FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE and that is the number of homes he built for the poor when no one else was giving them anything. So, was Pablo Escobar a horrible person? I just returned from spending one week in Colombia, the perfect place to hear opinions on one of the most notorious drug lords, Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria. First, it is important for me to tell you my thoughts on Pablo Escobar. What I think of him is that without a doubt, he was responsible for many horrible events during his reign; however, we don't hear of or perhaps we ignore the fact that he also helped many people in need and gave back to the community, more than the Colombian government ever did. Escobar started illegal activities at a very young age. He would steal tests at school and sell them. As he became older he took part in the whiskey and cigar contraband trade and later learned of the cocaine business and how much money it was projecting. Since drug trafficking was such a new thing, it was not yet illegal. Escobar quickly rose to power and controlled approximately 80% of the cocaine distribution, his net worth was around 30 billion dollars and had so much money that he would store it in a warehouse and write-off $1 million as rat food, rats plagued the warehouse. He spent at least $20,000 on rubber bands alone, just to hold his money together. It is said that everyone has their price and that's what Escobar went by. He bought off everyone, from members of the military, to judges, to politicians and everyone who got in his way. Whoever did not want to take money he would have them killed, this is where the famous line comes from "plata o plomo" which translates to "silver or lead." You would think that Colombians hate Escobar, but on the contrary, people from Medellin, his hometown, loves him. I visited and people respect him, but of course not everyone does. I took a tour and my tour guide spoke to me about first-hand experiences of living during the violence of the Escobar era. She told me she witnessed a lot of the horrible events and that it is important to remember them so you won't relive them. I visited what was once the building where Escobar was shot down and what is now a mural created by the people of Medellin. I also went to Pablo Escobar's tomb and saw many fresh flowers which means that he still receives love. The neighborhood where Pablo had many homes built is considered "Barrio Escobar." I return to my initial question: was Pablo Escobar a horrible person? I have mixed feelings about Pablo Escobar. I know of all the crimes he committed but I am also aware of all the good he did and how much he gave back to his community; therefore, I don't have a concrete answer on whether he was a hero or a villain. As with all of us, his life took the path it did because of his life experiences.
by Klaryssa OrtizWho am I? I am a granddaughter, daughter, niece, sister, cousin, aunt, friend, lover and partner like so many others who have entered this Earth. These ascribed statuses familiarly known to us become archaic in sincerity as we develop personal attributes based on existential forces in a modernizing world, many of them negatively impactful. I am truly blessed for being a part of a family that expresses love, compassion and acceptance to all who reciprocate equal sentiment. Puerto Rican by bloodline I’ve been given the opportunity to be accepted by countless individuals who are racially different from me. I have understood the light skin privilege prescribed to me; however have been equally exposed to the racial rhetoric of oppression projected towards people who are ethnically different. I am surrounded by countless artists who attribute to the immense amount of knowledge I have obtained outside the classroom. I have simultaneously utilized skills from school to interact with folks outside of these institutionalized aspirations. Striving for an independent mind has been extremely important for me to liberate myself although there are countless variables of distraction. I purposely surround myself with like minded individuals for family are oftentimes the friends you choose. I am preaching about exchanges, development and revolutionary love because that is what life is, we are dependent on one another. I write to take individuals on a journey through histories that have perpetually formed societies, but from a colorful perspective. I write to disembark on adventures that are both important and regularly neglected as we advance in a society of technology, materialism and animosity, a joint of histories to unveil and memorialize through intricate writing.
by Brenda AlmarazWho am I?
I am... A woman A Latina A daughter of six A sister A student A traveler A Friend A Mexican A United- Statesian An individual existing... Who am I? Is one of the most difficult questions to answer for many, but why? Could it be that in describing ourselves we may overemphasize certain qualities or better yet fail to mention some? Or just because as social beings with multiple social groups we put on a different mask to accommodate and be accepted...when are we ever our true self? As one person told me...There is no need to overthink the question because you are who you are: your likes, dislikes, the capability to accommodate, and simply by the labels you acquire whether they were a choice or not. Being that this is a question I have give LOTS of thought to I decided it best to "label myself". At first I began with the way others could influence a label, and then those at birth but, stopped as I soon realized it's not about the labels...it's about how I wear and embrace these labels that matter. So what if I'm a sister, daughter, student, Mexican, United Statesian? What matter`s is that I embrace, wear, and flaunt the labels that I choose best defines who I am. by Michelle BravoTrying to define yourself at the tender age of 21 is one of the biggest conundrums a young adult could face. They strive their whole life trying to come up with an answer for this question. I myself am still trying to figure out who I am, who I want to be and where I want to go in my life. But then again, who isn’t or wasn’t at one point? We’re all just wandering through life half of the time anyway, walking towards the direction pointed to us. But, I do have a general sense of some of the characteristics that separate me from the rest of the crowd. I do realize how I react during stressful situations or trying times. How I deal with sadness or pain. Those are the moments when a person’s true character is revealed.
How someone identifies themselves is way different than how others perceive them; the way I think about myself isn't necessarily the way others think about me. For example, I asked one of my friends, “what is one defining quality that comes to mind when you think of me?” And she replied with “smart”. All I could think to respond was, why? This is a person who's known me for 8 years. And I definitely wasn't the sharpest tool in the box back then. That was the last answer I was expecting. Over the years I’ve heard: quiet, shy, introvert, wallflower, standoffish, antisocial, I’ve even heard stuck up. People have misinterpreted my lack of verbal expression for a person who is stuck up. Upon the confused look on my face she offered an explanation, “Just because you didn’t apply yourself before doesn’t mean you were any less smart back then. You’ve always been smart”. I thought about what she said that night, and I wondered if she thought she was smart herself. I'm the type of person that will Google, “can 911 track your exact location?” just because. For those of you that are curious, no, they can’t. Call from a nearby payphone in the case of an emergency and can’t speak, cell phones are almost impossible to track. I am someone who only has two games on their phone: solitaire and sudoku. I am a person who rather watch downloaded episodes off of Netflix, or even read on the train rather than listen to music. I’ve never stopped being the kid who sat alone at the end of the lunch table, back against the wall, and book in hand. I am a person who doesn’t mind being alone but does find luxury in another human’s company. A person who suffers in silence and panics under pressure. A person who cries when I’m angry and sulks privately when I’m sad. I’m just a person. A driven, shy, and genuine person. By Kevin Tran
by Erick GarciaI am a mystery because, for most people, this is how I come off.
I can actually be a mystery to those who know me and those who do not! A person could know who I am for years, yet not know very much about who I am. You see, I’m a pretty reserved person. This is not to say I won’t open up to others, not at all. I can do so with relative ease, but sometimes choose not to. I am very much an introverted person and for that reason sometimes I shy away from people. If you’ve ever been to a large gathering of people, I am the guy who is the quiet observer. However, if you take the time to get to know me and peel back the layers that surround me, you will find that: I am the son of two hardworking individuals who I am extremely lucky to call mother and father. Two individuals who have raised me to work just as hard as them but at the same time to always pursue my dreams no matter how difficult the journey. I am an older brother to a younger brother who suffers from autism. I am someone who has battled with depression many more times than I’ve cared to. Of course, you would never know it just by looking at me. But the fact that I’m able to write (and tell) about it shows that I’m someone who’s determined to rise above his demons. I am fascinated by the human mind, and for that reason, am a forensic psychology major in a graduate program. Being in this program has taken me on a journey of ups and downs, highs and lows, and self-discovery. I am a lover of art. Particularly, I love to draw. Drawing is a very crucial part of who I am. This love of drawing helped me to foster my imagination and during my childhood it was one of the things that helped me to realize that I was good at something and it was the first big thing in my life that gave me a sense of purpose. Nowadays I draw more for my friends than I do for myself. There’s nothing like the feeling of being able to give something to someone that you made. I am a lover of music, and I have used that love to survive some of the darkest moments of my life. Aside from drawing, music is also a crucial part of me and the second biggest thing that gave me a sense of purpose. Whether its music that’s found on my many music devices, or whether its music that comes from my own two hands on my guitars, it is that which has helped me to get through the most insufferable of times. I have mostly my mother to thank for gift of music and art. She knew these two things would be crucial parts of who I am. While I do have my favorite genres, artists, bands, what have you, I do take recommendations from others. I love to read as well. Specifically, I love to read anything that pertains to the horror, the supernatural, or the mystery genre, but I also love reading biographies, fantasy novels, and comic books. Oh and in case you’re wondering, I love both Batman and Superman, but I love Batman just a little bit more! In my spare time, I like to narrate horrors stories. It’s something I’ve only recently gotten into. I don’t really post my recordings (yet) online, but it’s something that’s increasingly starting to sound like something I might do. As I said before, I am very much introverted (even though that’s somewhat subsided in recent years). I generally try to be someone who takes the time to talk to people and get to know new people even if it can be a scary experience sometimes, but in some cases that can be easier said than done. Whenever I find myself with a bunch of strangers (or even with a mix of friends and strangers), I go back into my shell and shut down. I become extremely shy and sometimes that same shyness makes me more aware of how quiet I am being in a given setting. Of course I’ll always have that one person ask if I’m ok (which in most cases doesn’t help), but I appreciate the concern. But I’ve come to find that more often than not, this isn’t a big deal or a problem. I may take a while to open up to other people, but that doesn’t mean that I’m unapproachable. In this case, I may present myself as a mystery, but not as an unsolvable one! Although when it comes to parties (which I don’t tend to go to too many of), you can find me doing what I do best: sitting in a corner, keeping to myself and just taking everything in hahaha. But that’s ok. Like one of my anthropology professors once said to me: extroverted is overrated. And lastly, I am a writer. I don’t just write stories either. I write poems, which sometimes can turn into song lyrics. I am a part of an online magazine called A Home @ The End of The World, which we lovingly call, The Zine, and being part of this amazing collective full of other young talented minds has given my life even more purpose, because it grants me the creative space with which to express my thoughts and feelings through writing, a space that would not be possible without Professor Atiba Rougier and my other colleagues, who took a chance on my abilities as a writer even when I believed I had nothing to offer and considered me worthy enough to join this online magazine. I thank them all for that. These are just some of the things that there are to know about who I am and that help to solve the mystery that is me. Maybe I’m something more. I say this because in some ways, I am a mystery even to myself sometimes, let alone other people. I’m sure there’s a lot more to discover about who I am, but all in due time. I am a son, a brother, a graduate student, an artist, an aspiring musician, a narrator, an introvert, and a writer. I am an amalgam of all of these things and maybe even other things yet undiscovered. At a glance, I am a mystery. Upon closer inspection, I am so much more. by Jordan DelesparraI am a young woman
Who embodies a plethora of characteristics Best described by permanent ink Artwork etched into my skin Just above my right elbow Three words form a triangle ‘Brave,’ ‘Strong,’ ‘Wise’ Symbolizing a sibling bond My brothers are role models For me to become stronger, more brave I want to encompass each trait Jake is constantly pushing me Encouraging me to take more risks Exhibit bold actions, fearless behavior I am an adrenaline junky searching for new opportunities Physically and mentally strong Never fragile, Justin taught me otherwise Tenaciously independent Cynically optimistic, call me a realist Not one to take life seriously I choose to be a bright light in a perpetually dim world Wise because of the lessons learned And the knowledge acquired Always striving to know more Interminable curiosity Only amused by mentally stimulating conversations I am a sponge, eager to soak up new information Who am I? I am a young woman Who is not easily defined by Giselle RamirezWho am I? I am Uncertainty. I have Giselle to thank for her fear towards the future that allows me to live in such leisure. It’s adorable the way she tries to sit me down and talk with me about the plans I have for this relationship. Instead, I laugh and assure her, "You worry too much."
Of course, she is right. There are deadlines and qualifications that must be met. Choosing a career is not as easy as it was back in kindergarten. There's no chef or firefighter hat that you can put on when you are older and-BOOM! You must have a stable form of income and rent to pay. There are so many paths that she can take and according to her, I am no help when it comes to helping her decide. Unfortunately, our relationship is not the best these days. I personally think it is the stress towards the many unanswered questions she has for me. There are days where my jokes and my trip-ups make her smile, while simultaneously there are days where things become too blurry in the distance and she needs a steady path I cannot provide for her. I guess you can say, we are simply at different speeds. I want Giselle to leap before she looks, but she does not trust herself enough to land on her feet. Or maybe, she just does not trust me. That’s my fear. I care about her, which definitely is not a joke. I want only the best for her but her mind is so clouded by her own fear of failure that she forgets how much she has already accomplished. She graduates in a year and according to her, there’s not enough time. There are still so many questions that have no answers and she’s running out of time. But here’s the thing. She’s not! She has all the time in the world and it should not matter at what speed the clock is running. Who is she trying to beat? Herself? She thinks my reluctance to look forward comes from not caring enough about our future, but that's not true. I refuse to look forward because I’m too busy looking at her in the moment. I want to watch her grow and experience her in the present. That is why I will hold her hand through every burst of tears, every smile, and every mistake because I care and I want her to worry. I don’t care how much she hates me, she needs me in her life. Without me, she wouldn’t meet the deadlines or the expectations because if she weren’t scared of anything then there would be no point to reaching her end goal. The anxiety I provide will prepare her for the challenges that lie even further than she can imagine at the moment. I know I laugh and I joke, but trust me I hurt too. One day, she will wake up and everything will be stable enough to the point where I will only be someone from her past. She will only remember me when she feels unsteady about small things like whether her children are eating enough vegetables or if those shoes actually go with that dress. But I guess a bit, is better than nothing. I won’t get too sappy because I know that once she leaps on her own, she’ll be undeniably happy and that’s all I can ever hope for. |
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