#anastasia broadway
here’s a thought: anastasia was the embodiment of what it means for a story to be told from the female gaze
and a lot of its criticisms were about those exact characteristicsactually, u know what, i had a lot of cherry moscato and i talked about this for hours with leah the other night as i typed the above paragraph, and the more i think about it the more there is to say. so i’m gonna write this essay now instead of later when i think i’m more coherent. here’s a quick summary of my rationale and the expansion of my thoughts will be under the cut because i got a little wordy, as usual :)
listed below are characteristics that fall under the female gaze theory:
- the main lead is one of the most complicated characters out there and yet her desire is so simple and therefore so universal: she wants love. she wants to belong. she wants to figure out who she is.
- the main lead is looking for a matron, whether she’s aware of it or not, and the matron is looking for her.
- the other women in the show are also complex and are allowed to have relationships with one another.
- it’s implied that anya endured a lot of trauma, not just from the massacre but from her years on the streets, and yet we don’t need to see any of that stuff to understand and feel empathy for her.
- the hottest man in the world wears a tank top and his sleeves rolled up and other slutty but not slutty looks. a win for all boytoys out there.
- the love interest is also a three-dimensional character that exists for his own journey but he learns and tries to better himself because he knows it’s the right thing to do, not just to ‘impress’ the lead with a temporary fix.
- the romance story, arguably the most important relationship of the show, isn’t about physical attraction or being good enough for the other, it’s about mutual respect and learning how to communicate.
- her other traveling companion is a lovable father figure who supports her through their whole journey together.
- the other man of the show exists to show why this breed of a man, the authoritative figure who uses political ideals and expectations of his patriarchal figure to justify violence and specifically violence against women, is… well, scary.
- in the musical at least, anya’s appearance is never mentioned at all, and she’s never expected to change how she looks to “appear” like anastasia. the only time her appearance is sexualized is by the resident villain.
- all of that being said, a lot of the critical reviews of the show stem from the above aspects, which says something about the demographic of theater audiences and who controls what gets higher remarks (which,,, does this affect ticket sales?). do with that what you will.
Anastasia on Broadway: *announces closing date*
Me:
ANASTASIA BROADWAY
Inspired by the beloved films, ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL is the story of a brave young woman setting out to discover the mystery of her past.
CONCEPT
Dreamer. Rebel. Princess.
To celebrate ANASTASIA’s global expansion and second year on Broadway, I designed a new key art campaign that reclaimed what it means to be a princess. Anastasia is a woman in control of her destiny.
Our year one campaign was all about self-discovery, so we wanted to evolve with the character. Her posture is strong and empowered. I also expanded the world of the campaign by including additional members of the cast. We showcased the beautiful costumes and the epic grandeur of ANASTASIA on Broadway.
The large letter A has become an icon for the ANASTASIA brand in its 6 productions around the world.
Our team booked high-impact media all around town: Times Square, bus sides, taxi tops - along with takeovers of Bryant Park and Madison Square Garden.
Post link
ANASTASIA BROADWAY
Inspired by the beloved films, ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL is the story of a brave young woman setting out to discover the mystery of her past.
CONCEPT
Dreamer. Rebel. Princess.
To celebrate ANASTASIA’s global expansion and second year on Broadway, I designed a new key art campaign that reclaimed what it means to be a princess. Anastasia is a woman in control of her destiny.
Our year one campaign was all about self-discovery, so we wanted to evolve with the character. Her posture is strong and empowered. I also expanded the world of the campaign by including additional members of the cast. We showcased the beautiful costumes and the epic grandeur of ANASTASIA on Broadway.
The large letter A has become an icon for the ANASTASIA brand in its 6 productions around the world.
Our team booked high-impact media all around town: Times Square, bus sides, taxi tops - along with takeovers of Bryant Park and Madison Square Garden.
Post link
ANASTASIA BROADWAY
Inspired by the beloved films, ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL is the story of a brave young woman setting out to discover the mystery of her past.
CONCEPT
Dreamer. Rebel. Princess.
To celebrate ANASTASIA’s global expansion and second year on Broadway, I designed a new key art campaign that reclaimed what it means to be a princess. Anastasia is a woman in control of her destiny.
Our year one campaign was all about self-discovery, so we wanted to evolve with the character. Her posture is strong and empowered. I also expanded the world of the campaign by including additional members of the cast. We showcased the beautiful costumes and the epic grandeur of ANASTASIA on Broadway.
The large letter A has become an icon for the ANASTASIA brand in its 6 productions around the world.
Our team booked high-impact media all around town: Times Square, bus sides, taxi tops - along with takeovers of Bryant Park and Madison Square Garden.
Post link
ANASTASIA BROADWAY
Inspired by the beloved films, ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL is the story of a brave young woman setting out to discover the mystery of her past.
CONCEPT
Dreamer. Rebel. Princess.
To celebrate ANASTASIA’s global expansion and second year on Broadway, I designed a new key art campaign that reclaimed what it means to be a princess. Anastasia is a woman in control of her destiny.
Our year one campaign was all about self-discovery, so we wanted to evolve with the character. Her posture is strong and empowered. I also expanded the world of the campaign by including additional members of the cast. We showcased the beautiful costumes and the epic grandeur of ANASTASIA on Broadway.
The large letter A has become an icon for the ANASTASIA brand in its 6 productions around the world.
Our team booked high-impact media all around town: Times Square, bus sides, taxi tops - along with takeovers of Bryant Park and Madison Square Garden.
Post link
ANASTASIA BROADWAY
Inspired by the beloved films, ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL is the story of a brave young woman setting out to discover the mystery of her past.
CONCEPT
Dreamer. Rebel. Princess.
To celebrate ANASTASIA’s global expansion and second year on Broadway, I designed a new key art campaign that reclaimed what it means to be a princess. Anastasia is a woman in control of her destiny.
Our year one campaign was all about self-discovery, so we wanted to evolve with the character. Her posture is strong and empowered. I also expanded the world of the campaign by including additional members of the cast. We showcased the beautiful costumes and the epic grandeur of ANASTASIA on Broadway.
The large letter A has become an icon for the ANASTASIA brand in its 6 productions around the world.
Our team booked high-impact media all around town: Times Square, bus sides, taxi tops - along with takeovers of Bryant Park and Madison Square Garden.
Post link
ANASTASIA BROADWAY
Inspired by the beloved films, ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL is the story of a brave young woman setting out to discover the mystery of her past.
CONCEPT
Dreamer. Rebel. Princess.
To celebrate ANASTASIA’s global expansion and second year on Broadway, I designed a new key art campaign that reclaimed what it means to be a princess. Anastasia is a woman in control of her destiny.
Our year one campaign was all about self-discovery, so we wanted to evolve with the character. Her posture is strong and empowered. I also expanded the world of the campaign by including additional members of the cast. We showcased the beautiful costumes and the epic grandeur of ANASTASIA on Broadway.
The large letter A has become an icon for the ANASTASIA brand in its 6 productions around the world.
Our team booked high-impact media all around town: Times Square, bus sides, taxi tops - along with takeovers of Bryant Park and Madison Square Garden.
Post link
ANASTASIA BROADWAY
Inspired by the beloved films, ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL is the story of a brave young woman setting out to discover the mystery of her past.
CONCEPT
Dreamer. Rebel. Princess.
To celebrate ANASTASIA’s global expansion and second year on Broadway, I designed a new key art campaign that reclaimed what it means to be a princess. Anastasia is a woman in control of her destiny.
Our year one campaign was all about self-discovery, so we wanted to evolve with the character. Her posture is strong and empowered. I also expanded the world of the campaign by including additional members of the cast. We showcased the beautiful costumes and the epic grandeur of ANASTASIA on Broadway.
The large letter A has become an icon for the ANASTASIA brand in its 6 productions around the world.
Our team booked high-impact media all around town: Times Square, bus sides, taxi tops - along with takeovers of Bryant Park and Madison Square Garden.
Post link
WHAT DOES A MISSING PRINCESS LOOK LIKE?
ANASTASIA is an adaptation of Russian history and folk-lore.
The Grand Duchess Anastasia’s family was executed, but it was rumored that she survived. Years later, a mysterious woman with amnesia named Anya hopes to find some trace of her family by siding with two con men who wish to take advantage of her likeness to the Grand Duchess.
In the keyart, Anya is dressed in what I describe as her adventure-ware.
In the production, Anya is introduced while dressed as a street urchin; when she is revealed as the Grand Duchess, she wears a regal ballgown.
The cloak we selected for the keyart was a step above the urchin Anya, but not as regal as The Duchess. The outfit is purposefully designed as the balance between who Anya was and who she becomes.
A variation of the outfit photographed on the left was re-designed and added to the Broadway and international productions by Tony Award® nominated costume designer Linda Cho.
Post link
AMERICAN AIRLINES TERMINAL TAKEOVER
ANASTASIA is an adaptation of Russian history and folk-lore.
The Grand Duchess Anastasia’s family was executed, but it was rumored that she survived. Years later, a mysterious woman with amnesia named Anya hopes to find some trace of her family by siding with two con men who wish to take advantage of her likeness to the Grand Duchess.
In the keyart, Anya is dressed in what I describe as her adventure-ware.
In the production, Anya is introduced while dressed as a street urchin; when she is revealed as the Grand Duchess, she wears a regal ballgown.
The cloak we selected for the keyart was a step above the urchin Anya, but not as regal as The Duchess. The outfit is purposefully designed as the balance between who Anya was and who she becomes.
A variation of the outfit photographed on the left was re-designed and added to the Broadway and international productions by Tony Award® nominated costume designer Linda Cho.
Post link
WHAT DOES A MISSING PRINCESS LOOK LIKE?
ANASTASIA is an adaptation of Russian history and folk-lore.
The Grand Duchess Anastasia’s family was executed, but it was rumored that she survived. Years later, a mysterious woman with amnesia named Anya hopes to find some trace of her family by siding with two con men who wish to take advantage of her likeness to the Grand Duchess.
In the keyart, Anya is dressed in what I describe as her adventure-ware.
In the production, Anya is introduced while dressed as a street urchin; when she is revealed as the Grand Duchess, she wears a regal ballgown.
The cloak we selected for the keyart was a step above the urchin Anya, but not as regal as The Duchess. The outfit is purposefully designed as the balance between who Anya was and who she becomes.
A variation of the outfit photographed on the left was re-designed and added to the Broadway and international productions by Tony Award® nominated costume designer Linda Cho.
Post link
WHAT DOES A MISSING PRINCESS LOOK LIKE?
ANASTASIA is an adaptation of Russian history and folk-lore.
The Grand Duchess Anastasia’s family was executed, but it was rumored that she survived. Years later, a mysterious woman with amnesia named Anya hopes to find some trace of her family by siding with two con men who wish to take advantage of her likeness to the Grand Duchess.
In the keyart, Anya is dressed in what I describe as her adventure-ware.
In the production, Anya is introduced while dressed as a street urchin; when she is revealed as the Grand Duchess, she wears a regal ballgown.
The cloak we selected for the keyart was a step above the urchin Anya, but not as regal as The Duchess. The outfit is purposefully designed as the balance between who Anya was and who she becomes.
A variation of the outfit photographed on the left was re-designed and added to the Broadway and international productions by Tony Award® nominated costume designer Linda Cho.
Post link
WHAT DOES A MISSING PRINCESS LOOK LIKE?
ANASTASIA is an adaptation of Russian history and folk-lore.
The Grand Duchess Anastasia’s family was executed, but it was rumored that she survived. Years later, a mysterious woman with amnesia named Anya hopes to find some trace of her family by siding with two con men who wish to take advantage of her likeness to the Grand Duchess.
In the keyart, Anya is dressed in what I describe as her adventure-ware.
In the production, Anya is introduced while dressed as a street urchin; when she is revealed as the Grand Duchess, she wears a regal ballgown.
The cloak we selected for the keyart was a step above the urchin Anya, but not as regal as The Duchess. The outfit is purposefully designed as the balance between who Anya was and who she becomes.
A variation of the outfit photographed on the left was re-designed and added to the Broadway and international productions by Tony Award® nominated costume designer Linda Cho.
Post link
Inspired by the beloved films, ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL is the story of a brave young woman setting out to discover the mystery of her past.
CONCEPT
To build a signature global brand, I wanted to construct a piece of keyart that was timeless, lush, and exciting. In order to distance ourselves from comparisons to the 1997 animated film, I wanted the imagery to be photo-realistic.
The concept features a mysterious woman, caught between her past in St. Petersburg, Russia and her future in Paris. As a framing device, we rendered a large A to be a prominent through line for future campaigns.
Post link
WHAT DOES A MISSING
PRINCESS LOOK LIKE?
ANASTASIA is an adaptation of Russian history and folk-lore.
The Grand Duchess Anastasia’s family was executed, but it was rumored that she survived. Years later, a mysterious woman with amnesia named Anya hopes to find some trace of her family by siding with two con men who wish to take advantage of her likeness to the Grand Duchess.
In the keyart, Anya is dressed in what I describe as her adventure-ware.
In the production, Anya is introduced while dressed as a street urchin; when she is revealed as the Grand Duchess, she wears a regal ballgown.
The cloak we selected for the keyart was a step above the urchin Anya, but not as regal as The Duchess. The outfit is purposefully designed as the balance between who Anya was and who she becomes.
A variation of the outfit photographed on the left was re-designed and added to the Broadway and international productions by Tony Award® nominated costume designer Linda Cho.
Post link
Inspired by the beloved films, ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL is the story of a brave young woman setting out to discover the mystery of her past.
CONCEPT
To build a signature global brand, I wanted to construct a piece of keyart that was timeless, lush, and exciting. In order to distance ourselves from comparisons to the 1997 animated film, I wanted the imagery to be photo-realistic.
The concept features a mysterious woman, caught between her past in St. Petersburg, Russia and her future in Paris. As a framing device, we rendered a large A to be a prominent through line for future campaigns.
Post link
Inspired by the beloved films, ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL is the story of a brave young woman setting out to discover the mystery of her past.
CONCEPT
To build a signature global brand, I wanted to construct a piece of keyart that was timeless, lush, and exciting. In order to distance ourselves from comparisons to the 1997 animated film, I wanted the imagery to be photo-realistic.
The concept features a mysterious woman, caught between her past in St. Petersburg, Russia and her future in Paris. As a framing device, we rendered a large A to be a prominent through line for future campaigns.
Post link
Had the honor of seeing Anastasia last month and I wanted to make a piece based off of my favorite song! I would have loved to see it as a scene from the movie.
Post link
