#angela lansbury as the dowager empress marie

[dangerousconnoisseurdonut]

It is my sad duty to tell those who haven't heard yet, that on this day, October 11, 2022, Angela Lansbury, has passed on. 😢😢😢

So, goodbye Mrs. Potts:

Dowager Empress Marie

Miss. Price

And, maybe my favourite for you, Jessica Fletcher.

And, for those who want to see a young Angela Lansbury, look up The Picture of Dorian Gray where she sings a bittersweet song, Goodbye Little Yellow Bird.

Wishing you all the best.

[thecreativemillennial]

R.I.P to Dame Angela Lansbury, who recently passed away at the age of 96

[cinematicct]

Anastasia (1997)

From 20th Century Fox, this animated musical film is loosely based on the legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia.

A wonderful cast of well-known actors lend their voices to each character: Meg Ryan as Anastasia “Anya” Romanov, John Cusack as former servant/con man Dimitri, Kelsey Grammer as Vladimir, Christopher Lloyd as sorcerer/former advisor Grigori Rasputin, Hank Azaria as Rasputin’s bat sidekick Bartok, Kirsten Dunst as eight-year-old Anastasia, Bernadette Peters as lady-in-waiting Sophie and Angela Lansbury as Anastasia’s grandmother, the Dowager Empress Marie.

The plot is mainly focused on the orphaned Anya teaming up with Dimitri and Vladimir to find out the truth about her past, while the two men plan to pose Anya as the long-lost Grand Duchess to present to the Dowager Empress, unaware she actually is Anastasia. Meanwhile, a revenge-driven Rasputin (the film’s antagonist) plots to destroy Anastasia upon learning she somehow escaped from his curse.

Meg Ryan is perfect as the voice of a headstrong girl willing to overcome any obstacle to find a home. John Cusack is exceptionally great at portraying someone who starts out curt, only to have a change of heart along the way. Kelsey Grammer is remarkably brilliant as a character of nobility who, in a way, helps Anya to see she’s more than just a normal person. Christopher Lloyd is wildly amusing as he lends his gravelly voice to an undead but powerful Rasputin. Hank Azaria (who alters his voice in a quirky tone to match a mild-mannered Bartok) is the comic relief of the film. Bernadette Peters’ vocal performance is just as marvelous as her onscreen/onstage performances. As for Angela Lansbury (who speaks in a Russian accent), the warmth of her distinctive voice clearly reflects a loving yet heart-stricken woman who’s the only surviving relative of Anastasia.

The animation is breathtaking since it is done in the style of a traditionally animated Disney film. In fact, the movie takes place in both St. Petersburg and Paris. The former is a bustling city of local gossip, whereas the latter is a city of luxury and shimmering lights. Elsewhere, Rasputin is in limbo (an intermediate afterlife) with an army of ghostly minions. There’s even a magical dream sequence where Anya wanders around the abandoned Winter Palace and imagines the ballroom coming back to life while dancing with spirits of the guests and the Romanovs. Not only do you see a work of innovative art, but the trip from Russia to France basically depicts Anya’s transition from ordinary to extraordinary.

The film itself takes an urban legend and turns it into a fantastical fairy tale. First of all, the Romanovs were the last among a 300-year family dynasty that ruled Russia until their execution in the midst of the Russian Revolution as a result of political incompetence by Czar Nicholas II (Anastasia’s father), thus ending the Russian monarchy (which also marked the beginning of communism). Second, Rasputin was a real-life mystical figure who’d been publicly accused of yielding too much influence over the Romanovs (whereas in the movie, he was exiled for treason), striking further hatred towards the Russian Empire. However, word soon spread of the alleged survival of Anastasia. This was because there were no proper burials for prisoners of war back then nor was there any scientific evidence to officially confirm whether or not she lived. It was during that time when a number of impostors came forward claiming to be Anastasia herself. On the other hand, the film shows Anastasia having survived the revolution, albeit with amnesia, in which she’s lost nearly all memory of herself (going by the name Anya) and her past. That’s where Dimitri comes in to take advantage of her likeness in order claim the reward money from her grandmother, only for his intentions to change entirely as he begins to develop true feelings for her, hence the growing romance between them.

The soundtrack includes spellbinding music and songs. The track list include: “A Rumor in St. Petersburg”, “Journey to the Past”, “Once Upon a December” (its sweet, mesmerizing melody serving as the only connection to Anya’s long-forgotten past), “In the Dark of the Night”, “Learn to Do It”, “Learn to Do It (Waltz Reprise)” and “Paris Holds the Key (To Your Heart)”. A pop/R&B version of “Journey to the Past” by Aaliyah is heard, along with an original pop song: “At the Beginning” (which describes the relationship between Anya and Dimitri) performed by Donna Lewis and Richard Marx.

Finally, the movie demonstrates how a journey of self-discovery can sometimes be life-changing. In other words, Anya’s search for her true identity led her to eventually recognize the best version of herself.

Though an alternate history retelling, to me, this particular film is a gorgeous take on one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th century. All in all, I recommend this timeless, enchanting movie to every fan of both animation and Russian history.

[myopic-chihuahua]

I’m just going to sit here and watch Anastasia in honor of Angela Lansbury, who was in it. 

[dontdreamitgifit]

Finally it’s friday!

Let’s chill out listening to a song you might have heard once upon da December, when Dame Angela Lansbury was lending her voice to the Dowager Empress Marie.

Have a melodious weekend!

[enslaved-queenmother]

((I like doing voice claims for my muses and my Fan characters/Oc’s. I have been sharing them with you guys on Oddtumblr, our discord, and my friends. 

For Queen Sam, the voice claim I have for the mudokon queen-mother is Angela Lansbury. She has done many roles such as Miss Price from Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Mrs. Potts from the animated version of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and the Dowager Empress Marie from Fox Animation Studio’s Anastasia Film.))

[evanhansens]

home, love, family - always.

I’ve been meaning to write something about Anastasia closing being announced, but I guess I just kept putting it off because it just made it that much more real.

I’m not going to spin you some sort of tale where I was shocked and how could Anastasia be closing? Because that would be a huge lie and I think we all know it. We’ve all seen the grosses, some of us have been there and just looked around the theater and been like - yep, this is where we are. I will say I had deluded myself into thinking they had lined someone up as Dmitry to get them through the summer post-Cody but I always knew a closing was imminent.

But let us not dwell on that, let’s focus on this show - this gorgeous show that has found its way so deeply into my heart. I happen to be old enough to remember when the movie came out and I remember getting the VHS (yes, I’m “old”) for my first communion and I just fell in love with it. Journey to the Past joined Part of Your World as one of the songs I would sing around the house and ultimately annoy everyone around me with.

I remember when talk of Anastasia becoming a musical began to happen and I was super excited because of growing up with the movie. TBT to the workshop when Kelli Barrett was Anya, Aaron Tveit was Dmitry, and Angela Lansbury reprised her role as the Dowager Empress - that was A TIME. When they announced the run in Hartford and the casting of Christy, Derek, and John - I was beyond excited and even though I sadly didn’t end up going to Hartford as I had planned, I was so happy to know it would be coming to Broadway.

Christy has had my heart since the Spring Awakening tour and I can’t put into words what it was like the first time I saw the show in previews and watched her leave her entire heart on the stage. I watched her bring everything she had to Journey to the Past and I was a sobbing mess by the end of the song. Watching her walk out in the red dress during curtain call was such a beautiful moment and watching her be the leading lady on Broadway that she deserved to be was beautiful. Getting to see Derek originate a leading man role on Broadway was a dream and fit him like a glove - he was Dmitry and he captured everything the con man I grew up knowing from the movie to be and more. John Bolton was born to play Vlad and his over the top showmanship and heart only went further to prove that. Mary Beth was a perfect Dowager – bitter but with such a glimmer of hope beneath, Caroline brought Lily perfectly to life – vivacious, hilarious, and saucy as a former countess needed to be. Ramin’s Gleb was brooding and angry, but a great foil to Dmitry and ultimately what drives home the historical aspects of the plot.

I could go on and on about cast members from this show – Zach’s incredible Dmitry, Lyrica’s gorgeous Odette, Max’s charming Gleb, Kathryn’s adorable Anya, and so on and so on. The point is – this show has brought so many wonderful things into my life over the last two years and saying goodbye is not easy whatsoever. The only thing that makes this feel less painful is knowing Anastasia will continue to impact lives across the country on tour and across the world with their international productions. The message of home, love, family will continue and only expand from here, but alas the journey will come to an end on Broadway.

I can’t put into words how grateful I am for Anastasia and I will hold this time in my heart always. What a beautiful dream you’ve been, Anastasia, and thank you for the journey. <3

[raccoonwarlock]

Happy 93rd Birthday to the Incomparable Dame Angela Lansbury

Well known for her work on Murder She Wrote, The Manchurian Canidate, Gaslight, the voice of Mrs. Potts & Anastasia's grandmother, Dowager Empress Marie, originating the role of Ms. Lovette on Broadway, & starring as Miss Eglentine Price from Bedknobs & Broomsticks, a personal childhood favorite. I love you, Dame Lansbury, & I always will

[thediaryofatheatrekid]

Broadway Birthday: Angela Lansbury

1. Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote 2. Rose in Gypsy 3. Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street 4. Mame Dennis in Mame 5. Dowager Empress Marie in Anastasia (Voice) 6. Anna Leonowens as The King and I 7. Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast (Voice) 8. Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music 9. Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit 10. Miss Daisy Werthan in Driving Miss Daisy