#christy and derek are just awesome

[goldenmaknaes]

The time Christy Altomare went to her own show in full disguise:

Christy: I got injured and I put- I went out and I bought um, a wig…

Derek: [laughing] She was in- she was in full disguise!

Christy: I was trying to find the picture! As you were talking, I was like, “can I find this picture? No, I called- I literally borrowed some like, clothes from a friend so I didn't look like me at all. I had a- I went out and I bought a, um a turtleneck. A black turtleneck that came up to here and I had a black wig and like big glasses and like all these weird clothing. Like, I wore a short skirt. Stuff I would never wear and-

Betsy: Oh because a short skirt's not going to make people look at you! Good call!

Christy: [laughs] No I wore like black stockings, like thick black stockings and a tight pencil skirt and I literally look like a Russian spy, right? and so I’m coming in and I’m all like [makes elusive gestures] and then like, you know like I see the security guards. They know who I am, but they can’t- they don't know it's me and they're like, “let me see your bag” and I’m like [hides her face] “there's my bag.”

Derek: Oh yeah, there's more. Christy sends John and I a picture during the show of her in the audience being like, with her glasses on, being like [makes a smug expression].

Betsy: Find the picture. I wanna see it.

Derek: It’s no joke. I don’t even- it's probably deep in our conversation but I think a group thread with us three. John and I were like, “oh my gosh.”

Christy: [shows the picture] Okay I also went out and I bought coloured contacts. So I bought brown coloured-

Betsy: Wait, Christy, that is so deep! Oh my gosh!

Christy: And I bought a nose ring, you guys. I even bought a nose ring!

Derek: Guys, it was like no joke. This- this happened.

Christy: And I put on crazy makeup too to make me look like completely not myself. Because I was like-

Betsy: That's the most intense, incognito outfit I have ever seen!

Derek: Oh it was fascinating.

Christy: Because I had to be incog- look this was me in that way, like sitting in the chair.

Betsy: You looked ridiculously awesome.

Christy: I didn't want anyone to see me and go, “wow, why aren't you on stage?” because I was injured. Like I literally could not do the show.

Betsy: You look great as it- as like dark black, jet hair. I mean you look great. Now I just like, I’m going to want to go now to Broadway shows and just try and find cast members that should be on stage in incognito in the audience. Like that's what I want to do now.

Derek: Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh, here it is! So Christy- Christy sends this to us from the audience [shows Christy’s message and picture on his phone]

Betsy: I’m losing my mind. This is hysterical.

Derek: And John and I are like, “what is she doing?!” and then we're like, “oh no…”

Betsy: Oh no… and did you see the nose ring or was that like…?

Derek: Yes! Oh she had like, she had like this dark mascara…

Christy: Oh I even think I darkened in my eyebrows. You couldn't really tell but I like really darkened in my eyebrows, like really to not look anything like myself.

Derek: She was giving me like prune lips [makes a duck face].

Betsy: I want to end on something amazing but like this is amazing. My mind is blown. This makes me so happy.

Christy: Nobody knows this either!

[derekklenadaily]

Christy: Oh, you know what people have been saying this the new show that's coming out. "Tangled".

Derek: Oh yeah! That would be something to look forward to.

Christy: That would be a good one for us, if it could happen. But that would be a lot of fun.

Derek: That would be alot of fun. In this vein of adapting animated movies to the stage. (He points to himself) You know who to call! (He laughs)

Christy: I would like to see you in a "Merrily We Roll Along" in a few years.

Derek: I'm not familiar with that as much. I should be. Like, a lot of people really love that.

Christy: You would be so good. Like, I could be Beth. And you would be Frank, and you'd be so good as Frank but not yet like I think you're a little too young, like, in a few years.

Host: Your fans are suggesting "Bonnie and Clyde".

Derek: Oh I love, I love "Bonnie and Clyde". That would be awesome to get to play that role. Captain and Maria! That'll be you know, Christy that - well, we'll probably have another show that we can do before we free up to that one. But yeah, we should just plan on doing a show together like every five years. I mean, five to seven years.

[theladydianis]

K so I saw the tour of Anastasia last weekend and it was AWESOME and, having seen the broadway show, I have some observations :))

Lila Coogan and Jake Levy played Anya and Dmitry so much younger than christy and Derek and it was rly refreshing!

There was So. Much. Energy. Lila’s Anya is so much angrier than christy! XD

Her BELTS guys I can’t. Beautiful

She belts out “and I hear a voice whisper I’ll meet you right there in pariiiiiissss” and it hit me in a way it hadn’t before

When she says “I see flashes of fire, heard the echo of screams!” One it’s super powerful and awesome, and two she advances on Dmitry and just about belts in his face

The ensemble in St. Petersburg was on point, as were the auditioning Anastasias

They changed Learn to do It from the broadway lyrics and now Anya doesn’t have her “I’ve had it and I hate you both!” verse

Buuuut when Dmitry and Anya start dancing (after the lovably awkward Dmitry failing hard) they give conspiratorial smiles and chase Vlad around in their energetic jig and he exclaims “you monsters!”

I understand why anyas verse was cut but I did miss dmitry’s frustration and his and Vlad’s argument behind the chalkboard (he still got hit with it when Vlad turns it over)

When Anya fights the drunks she YELLS. XD Christy mostly screams but Lila has full on yelling and Dmitry looked genuinely scared for his life

Anya’s opening of the music box is a comic beat, and she does it in two quick turns then pop open as Dmitry says “it’s broken I can’t even open it” XD

Stay I Pray You was beautiful

It really HIT me when Anya and Dmitry (played younger) sang “you are all I know, you have raised me” Chills.

Sadly the train doesn’t spin, it’s still good tho

Still was soooo good

Journey to the Past was breathtaking 😍

Act II :))

When Vlad grabs Anya and dmitry’s hands at the beginning of Paris Holds the Key Dmitry is Scandalized/tm and shakes him off

Before Crossing a Bridge, Dmitry does the ‘I’m tired’ fake yawn and stretch and then SPRINTS to the hotel

The “signs” part of countess and common man was so LONG the audience was in stitches!

Biggest applause after

After the Nightmare and before crowd of thousands Anya and Dmitry say “thank you, you’re welcome” and it was the cutest awkward thing they turned away from each other like teenagers and dmitry’s voice got so high!

Quartet at the ballet was amazing!! Also biggest applause for the ballet dancers

When Dmitry says “woah better knock on wood!” He knocks on his head

Anya SCREAMS at Vlad and Dmitry

Due to blocking probably and acting, Anya picks up the doll “what is this?!?...I don’t WANT it!!” And /flings/ it halfway across the stage at Dmitry

She’s also hardcore yelling when the dowager comes

At the end, on the box Anya is actually taller than Dmitry (Christy is still shorter than Derek on the box) so she reaches down and kisses him and it felt so powerful for her XD

Everything was awesome, and amazing, and catch the tour if it’s coming near you!!

[i-used-to-wear-the-fedora]

Awesome Underappreciated Musicals You Should Listen Too

Yeah I like the big four Tumblr musicals but these are just a few shows you should consider listening to next time you're looking for something new.

1.) Tuck Everlasting

Based on the book of the same name Tuck Everlasting is about a girl named Winnie Foster discovering the immortal Tuck family. The father of the family is played by Michael Park who you might recognize as Larry Murphy from Dear Evan Hansen. It's a good show with a few catchy songs. If you've read the book before you'll know what to expect since it's a pretty faithful adaptation.

2.) Dog Fight

Composed by Pasek and Paul of The Greatest Showman and Dear Evan Hansen fame this is a romance about a young man about to be shipped off to the Vietnam War and how he spends his last few nights in America where he meets Rose under unfortunate circumstances. Annaleigh Ashford (Legally Blonde) is also in the show and featured in the titular song.

3.) Carrie the Musical (Revival)

The original Carrie musical was Broadway's biggest disaster until Spider-Man came along leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of theater junkies. Luckily the revival is much better on every level and, in my opinion, is the best Carrie adaptation to date. Christy Altomare and Derek Klena, both of Anastasia fame, play Sue Snell and Tommy Ross, the well meaning popular kids who try to help social outcast Carrie White (Molly Ranson)

4.) Galavant

A medieval musical tv show with two seasons and Timothy Omundson? This show is both funny and it has a general 2-3 songs per episode starring mostly non professional singers with the exception of a few including Weird Al as a singing monk. There's nothing much else to say except, I believe in you Tad Cooper.

5.) Bring It On

One of Lin Manuel Miranda's first productions, as seen by the lack of his presence in a cheerleader uniform, this musical is both creative and funny. Head cheerleader and popular girl Campbell is suddenly transferred her Senior year to Jackson highschool. Suspecting there's something going on one she finds out the new girl, Eva might have something to do with it.

6.) Jasper in Deadland/Hadestown

These two are put together because they're both modern retellings of the Orpheus and Eurydice tale. Hadestown is more of a jazz/blues song style while Jasper in Deadland is more a rock musical. Both have their own interpretations of the story that any mythology buff will see and love.

And like there's a million more that I don't have enough space to mention but it's okay to listen to musicals that aren't Hamilton, Be More Chill, Dear Evan Hansen or Heathers.

Honorable Mentions:

Bat Boy the Musical, Shrek, Hunchback of Notre Dame, 35 mm, Next to Normal, Repo! The Genetic Opera, The Devil's Carnival, Anastasia, In the Heights, Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog, The Count of Monte Cristo and many, many more.

[taytaybooks]

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MUSICALS THREAD #1: ANASTASIA

So I know heaps of people do/have done this but I really enjoy picking at and analysing things & I’d like to do something for myself rather than just reblogging once in a while, so I’ve decided every Tuesday I’ll post a “What I Love About Musicals” post and it’ll be sort of like a thread (all of them will be under a tag #what I love about musicals thread). So off we go!

*I HAVE EDITED THIS AFTER FINDING AN OBC BOOT*

PROLOGUE: ONCE UPON A DECEMBER

The haunting sort of “ahhs” at the start of the song

The costumes!!! (Romanov’s Last Dance)

The lighting!! It’s so cool, during the Romanov’s Last Dance, the lighting is red and when it goes dark after the last streak of red light (it’s like lightning!) 

THE SNOW!! It’s such a pretty touch😍

A RUMOUR IN ST. PETERSBURG

The sound of a busy town at the start of A Rumour in St. Petersburg

DEREK KLENA AND JOHN BOLTON IN GENERAL

“It’s really very friendly if you don’t mind spies”

LIGHTBULB😂 

 Vlad hitting Dimitry with his hat oml😂

Anya’s “NO”, showing her PTSD

“I could never part with it” “2 cans of beans comrade?” “Done"😂😂

“There’s more to being Anastasia than wearing a tiara, Dmitry”                       “Not much, look how many people you fooled"😂 I AM SHOOKETH

“And with luck we won’t be shot” then the thud that represents a gun shot straight after- that’s clever af

The way Derek sings “The biggest con in hisTORY”

IN MY DREAMS

“Her? Have you gone crazy too??”

CHRISTY ALTOMARE IN GENERAL WHAT A SMOL BEAN

“In my dreams shadows call” 😍😍

Again the haunting “ahhs” right after “But I know it all will come back one day”

“Is it Paris? …Paris”

“I’ll meet you right there, in Paris” the way she sings this oml

“I’ve seen flashes of fire Heard the echoes of screams” 😍

The crescendo of the orchestra at “don’t give up hope come what may”

Christy Altomare is a powerhouse tbh 

 ALSO THE SETS ARE 100% BETTER

LEARN TO DO IT

“Could it be?”

“Am I floating?” “Like a sinking boat” THE DYNAMIC OF THE TWO AHH DIMYA

When Vlad moves his arms so it’s like he’s flapping wings😂 

“You’re the ones who don’t stand straight”                                                        

“It’s all his years of bowing and katowing” 

“Bowing is a sign of respect”

“I bowed to someone once” 

“There, you admit it!” 

“I was a boy, I didn’t know any better. That was the first and last time-"😍😍 the end of In a Crowd of Thousands makes this interaction 1000x better

“I never cared for stroganoff”

“Your best friend is?” “My little brother Alexei” “Wrong! Your best friend is-” “I know who my best friend is!” “What a temper!” “I don’t like being contradicted!” “Well that makes two of us!” And poor Vlad is like fuckkkkkk why? It just shows their whole dynamic and I love it

“I’ve had it, and I hate you both!”

“Get out and let me be!”

Dima getting hit with the chalkboard lmaooo 

 Anya & Dima stepping on each other’s toes 

 The dancing!!! This trio is GOLDEN. 

 "Tomorrow we begin again” 

“In Russian…for the common man”

THE NEVA FLOWS

“A Russian telephone that works” 

 “…that was a joke…yes we have wonderful telephones” 

 Gleb low key gets everyone to leave him and Anya alone haha

The intro to The Neva Flows

“The world stopped breathing"😍

“But I believe he did a proud and vital task” his voice gets stronger and then at “The Neva Flows” the orchestra gets stronger/crescendoes

“Could I have pulled the trigger if I’d been told” I loved the way it was shouted in the Hartford production but I also love how tender it is in the Broadway Cast Recording

MY PETERSBURG

Anya chasing people & fighting them what a girl 

 HER BATTLE SCREEEEEAM

"Wanna see what else I can do!!”

“Black and blue welcome to my Petersburg” and then her jump lmao

“Funny how a boyyyy can grow”

“There’s a sky and quite a view Welcome toooo My Petersbuuuuuuurg”

ONCE UPON A DECEMBER

I love the costumes and dancers in Once Upon a December

THE GHOSTLY SILHOUTTES

Again the haunting “ahhs” after “figures dancing gracefully across my memory”

Just Christy Altomare in this performance in general- she’s amazing in this song

How tender and soft it gets at “things it yearns to remember”

STAY I PRAY YOU

In “Stay I Pray You” the ensemble hums and ahhs again and it’s different from “Once Upon a December” but still haunting in a way and it gives me chills

“How to go where I have never gone before” - it starts off emotional but their voices go down and softer towards the end😍

“I’ll bless my homeland” I love how it starts off as the trio then one by one they leave Anya alone to sing the last line

WE’LL GO FROM THERE

is so jaunty I love it

“Hands shaking, heart thundering, meet the Royal mess” the whole vibe changes and I love it

Those women who are low key very annoyed with Dima for standing on their bench

The canon effect of dmitry and anya

“For a totally illegal lovely getaway” makes me smile every time

The part where they all sing their respective parts 😍

Their long as note at the end

“With orders to arrest two men and a young woman” 

“That could be anyone” 

“I don’t think so” 

*holds up a wanted poster with their faces on it* lmaooo

Anya leading the jump off the train

“Anya can’t go on any further. She’s exhausted”- Vlad

STILL

“is it innocence or guile”

“A son becomes a man!”

“To fulfill!”

“I’m innocent she cries but then you see her eyes and something in them tells you that she absolutely lies”

“Still” at the end because that note

JOURNEY TO THE PAST

When she sits down on the suitcase but gets up at “How the world seems so vast”

The way Christy sings “fear” in Journey to the Past

“Home love family I’ll never be complete until I find youuuuu”

The whole last verse

“And bring me home at laaaaaaast!”- the iconic set change where the scene changes & the Eiffel Tower comes into view 

PARIS HOLDS THE KEY (TO YOUR HEART)

Ok the Hartford version of “Paris holds the key (to your heart)” was hilarious- I loved Gertrude Stein and her “rose is a rose is a rose” quotes

“Paris holds the key to her fate We won’t have much longer to wait And then come what may We will each go our way…” The mood/vibe shifts and it sounds slightly magical (I assume this is when she wears the pink dress?)

I love Anya’s new part in it, it sounds so magical

VLAD “At last, there’s a future”

DMITRY “There’s freedom”

ANYA “There’s hope”

ALL THREE “In the air!” - these lyrics are so optimistic and I adore it

The fucking dancing lmaooooo

CROSSING A BRIDGE

“Somebody’s daughter” I just love the way this is sung I don’t know why

her voice Oml

“In between wondering why and finally knowing”

“Me on the left bank you on the right” again the way she sings it

“Almost in siiiiiiight”

“One of them might be you” again she sings it so beautifully gah

CLOSE THE DOOR

“The Grand Duchess Anastasia is dead. The Dowager Empress is dead with her” this breaks my heart every time

The emotion in “Close the Door” always breaks my heart

The repetition of “to me” in the first verse 😭

It’s just all so raw and it’s beautifully sung with equal amounts talent and raw emotion

“In my heart I know you’re a lie I’ve waited for” I cry man

“Tell them all no more Tell them I close the door” 😍😭

LAND OF YESTERDAY

“No caviar”

“And Russians are mad” never fails to amuse me

“In dire circumstances” I love the way this is sung

The small dance bit with the aristocrats just chatting and watching etc😍 and then the music gets faster

“Let’s live in the land of yesterday” it’s almost as if she’s whispering and it sounds so good

“And let’s hold the world at bay” that note tho and she just danced 😍

THE COUNTESS AND THE COMMON MAN

is hilarious, Catherine O’ Connor is amazing as Lily

“We tiptoed off to Peter Hoff” the way he sings it

THE DANCE SECTION and how they act tired afterwards

THE KISS

“And how my heart beat when you sent me our sign”

“I loved you You loved me”

VLAD GIVES LILY HIS JACKET WHAT

Also Land of Yesterday Reprise is awesome

IN A CROWD OF THOUSANDS

The ahhs and ghostly silhouettes again before Dima comes in

THE WHOLE SONG. JUST ALL OF IT.

The introduction

“How they cheered How I stared"😍

“And then she smiled” the way it’s sung and the lyric itself

“But if I were still ten In that crowd of thousands I’d find her again"😍😍😭

“Then a boy caught my eye” that head lean he does like wtf

“He was thin Not too clean"😂😍 and they both laugh 

“I tried not to smile But I smiled And then he bowed”

“I didn’t tell you that” “You didn’t have to. I remember!” The pure emotion in their voices😍

Then when they hold each other ahhh

And then “in a crowd of thousands I’d find you again”

Ok so in the broadway boot he cups her cheek & they almost kiss, like why do you have to play with my emotions like that

“Your highness” then he bows ahhhh it’s so cute especially since he made fun of Vlad for bowing in Court in “Learn to Do It”

MEANT TO BE

Ok so this is super smart: when the Parisians/Russians etc come on stage the instrumental to “Paris Holds the Key (to Your Heart)” plays, then when the Dowager Empress walks on to the stage, the instrumental to ”Close the Door” plays, and when Dmitry walks on, the instrumental to “In a Crowd of Thousands” plays 😍

Vlad and Lily doing their ‘signs’ lmao

Vlad trying to clean Dima’s cheek bahaha then Dmitry is like shove off

The way it turns sort of magical/enchanting when Anya comes out in that iconic blue dress and Dmitry is shining his shoes and he looks up slowly in awe then quickly holds his arm out for her after he gets up and she takes it and they walk in to the ballet ahhh

QUARTET AT THE BALLET

The dancers are top notch and deserve more recognition

IT IS UNDERRATED

“Am I only dreaming Looking at her face” is sung so beautifully

Dmitry’s part in it (second verse)

The Dowager and her raw emotion and denial in the third verse

“Don’t be ridiculous”

“My heart and mind at war The times must change The world must change And love is not what revolution’s for”

“It’s fate that brought us here"😍 Derek and Ramin singing together gah

When they’re all singing their respective parts

Especially Dmitry’s part when it’s chaos tho “Home, Love, Family She will have all of it! I will help her Find a way Anastasia”

And that last note as all the parts merge into one part “find a way Anastasia” plus the fact that DIma looks at Anya when singing this

EVERYTHING TO WIN

THE WHOLE SONG

“Why should I worry Worrying’s not like me”

“I wonder if our paths Will ever cross again The way they Did when you were eight and I was ten”

“We said this was goodbye But even so You never know You never knowwww”

“I didn’t know she mattered to me But now I can see she does”

“Funny the one small part I never knew… With everything to win The only thing I lose *instrumental to the ‘home love family’ part of Journey to the Past plays* Is you”

Those are some of my fave parts and lyrics because it’s such a cute song

Dmitry stomping on the Dowager Empress’ dress and the Empress slapping him 

ONCE UPON A DECEMBER (REPRISE)

“Save it for your next Anastai- your Imperial Majesty”

I love the new addition of Anya’s new dress

It’s so simple- there isn’t a huge orchestral presence yet it’s so effective

“It’s never too late to come home, Nana”

The “Anastasia!” The Dowager Empress says at the end- it’s so emotional

THE PRESS CONFERENCE

“P-O-P-O-V” Vlad is great, this always makes me smile

“Suffice to say You’ll meet today The little lost princess” and the uproar from both the press and Lily herself, I find it hilarious. Good old Vlad

“We’re nearly read to begiiiin” Love how she sings this honestly

“Is she the princess anastasiaaaaaa” I love how they hold this note because it’s this huge question everyone has, and it’s been on their minds for so long.

“Members of the press This waaaaaaay” Caroline is a goddess her voice ahhh this is sung so well I love it

EVERYTHING TO WIN (REPRISE)

“I didn’t know he mattered to me But now I can see he does..” So cute

“The only thing I lose Is…” *gets cut off by Gleb* but still cute

STILL/THE NEVA FLOWS (REPRISE)

“Gleb” the emotion in her voice Oml

“If you really are Anastasia Do you think history wants you to have lived?” This is so important because that’s actually such a big part of her story- there are those who kept those rumours going to get through the day and those who tried to stop the rumours and hunt down any Anastasias so they could kill her and finish off the Romanov bloodline.

“Yes! why don’t you?” The emotion in their voices

“I am my fathers daughter” “And I am my fathers son!!” Again emotion

The ahhs from the ensemble it’s so haunting and chilling

And how the lighting changes to red to show the danger she’s facing 😍😍 and the ghosts of the fallen Romanovs walking in to show impending death but when she doesn’t get shot they slowly back away to show the danger is no longer there

“Imagine their terrors See their blood” SO EMOTIONAL

“We have a past to bury Anyaaaaa” THE EMOTION & THE LYRIC AND THE WAY ITS SUNG IN GENERAL

The ensemble when they sing “and the Neva flows, a new wind blows” it’s so chilling

And in the Hartford production when Christy shouts “I AM THE GRAND DUCHESS ANASTASIA NIKOLAEVNA ROMANOV”

“Be careful what a wish may bring A revolution is a simple thing!” It’s so emotional, the crescendo of music kind of stops and then there’s silence- we expect a gunshot but he still couldn’t do it - Broadway Gleb is nicer I guess? Like you can’t help but sympathize with him so when he whispers “I can’t” afterwards it’s sort of sad & heartbreaking

FINALE

“She was a dream” “A beautiful dream” symbolises that for so long no one knew what happened and then we found out she really did die- so her survival and Anastasia herself were really part of this beautiful dream.

“Still…” Symbolises those who still had hope she lived.

The ensemble singing the Once Upon a December verse

“Once upon a Deceeembeeeeer” is honestly such a beautiful way to end the musical and with Dimya just standing there together ahhhh so cute

And how there’s a spotlight on Dimya just before all the lights go out at the end

So basically I LOVE THIS WHOLE MUSICAL

Feel free to add anything guys xx💙💙

Other Threads 

Amélie

[manateesofshield]

(I finally have two seconds to myself) I SAW ANASTASIA. I DON'T EVEN HAVE THE WORDS. IT WAS LIKE imagine a glitter canon exploded and there were unicorns and money everywhere. Multiply that by a thousand. THAT'S HOW BEAUTIFUL IT WAS. And my mom even liked it. (Disclaimer-none of the quotes are entirely accurate)(also *jake peralta voice* SPOILEES) -okay so the prologue scene was everything I loved the screen effects and how it just completely goes dark at the last gunshot -a rumor in St. Petersburg was awesome -okay in my dreams was so beautiful - like is it hard to be perfect every single day???? -learn to do it was EVERYTHING -every single time derek picks christy up is the greatest moment -John Bolton -how does one describe John Bolton -magical -ok ramin was so great -ok but I loved the audition girls -"I'm not really an actress" and then he's just so exasperated it was hilarious -my petersburg omfg -those drunk guys *yeesh* -"I'll bet he's got you bowing like a regular tsarina" -and she just starts whacking biotches -"I wanna see what else I can do!" -and he picks her up again -and then again -once upon a December cray -and the DIAMOND -okay stay I pray you I can't even -THE REVOLVING TRAIN is maybe the most genius prop ever -still was so great -I HEARD CHRISTY ALTOMARE SING JOURNEY TO THE PAST LIVE cross that off my bucket list -ok the white suit in Paris holds the key is so beautiful and it's my favorite outfit -I love that dmitry can't dance -crossing a bridge was so beautiful -I think she sang the ending even better than in the OBCR -ugh close the door killed me -but land of yesterday and countess & the common man were so great CAROLINE O'CONNOR IS A GEM -IN A crowd of thousands omg why it was so amazing -THE DRESS SUCH SPARKLE SUCH GLITTER -QATB was amazing Allison Walsh absolutely DEMOLISHING those fouettes -ETW was sad so was OUADR omg everyone was amazing -THE PRESS CONFERENCE- I always felt like on the recording, it sounded like the female reporters were getting pushed out by the men ("excuse me, over here!") but I thought I was imagining it BUT NO. The entire inner circle closest to lily and vlad was men and the women were on the edges SEXISM IS REAL but then they got their chance ( and I also felt like the women were asking more important questions) -THE RED DRESS SO PRETTY - I love how the empress keeps calling dmitry her young man - omg still/neva flows was so crazy and I loved it -THE FINALE SO GORGEOUS SO TRIUMPHANT - I was like shaking from how beautiful it was - then I went outside and got in line and OKAY RAMIN KARIMLOO WAS STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME I CAN REPORT HE IS A REAL HUMAN. -AND DEREK OH MY GOD -NICOLE AND ZACK -MARY BETH. I GOT TO TELL HER HOW MUCH I ADMIRED HER -CHRISTY. SHE SMILED AT ME AND WAS SO NICE AND KIND AND I ASPIRE TO BE HER -LIKE I MET CHARLIE BAKER LAST WEEK AND THAT WAS EXCITING AND A DREAM COME TRUE BUT THIS WAS LIKE TEN THOUSAND DREAMS COME TRUE -she is a special bean -ALSO Kathryn Boswell was on as the Tsarina and she was so sparkly but I actually sat behind her parents! They come see her whenever she fills in for a different role. So that was cool. -omg what an amazing experience -how many retweets for a professionally filmed video of the show -dead serious

[capitalchaostelevision]

I arrived at Slim’s around 7:20pm, expecting a huge line by the door. There was no one there except for the security crew. Once inside, I saw about 50 people waiting for the show to start. First band on stage were Hydraform (Denver, CO). As the band started playing their first song, some of the audience came up to the stage, the second row of audience was about 6 feet away. Most of the people stayed in the rear section of the venue. After the third song, the sound engineer came up on stage and told the vocalist (Carter Pashko) that his screaming was overpowering the microphone.

Only one person from the audience responded by saying “be quiet”. After the next song was over, the vocalist started to dis LA, saying that LA traffic sucks and people there didn’t get Hydraform music. Then he proceeded to shout that SF is awesome and the audience here rocks! There was no reaction from the crowd. Everyone was just looking at the stage and probably waiting for this set to be done.

  Next on stage were Exhorder (New Orleans) in support of their album “Mourn the Southern Skies”. By the time the band entered the stage, the venue was packed. I’ve read online that one of the founding members, Vinnie La Bella, has left the band. Even though the band was missing one guitarist, that did not stop them from giving their best, world class performance and making the crowd go crazy!

Song after song, the crowd was head-banging and the mosh-pit was growing bigger, at one point reaching half the size of the venue. The vocalist and the guitarist were both head-banging most of the set. The band played the material from all three of their albums. It was a good challenge at times, to take a decent photo of the band from the crowd. Would definitely love to see them live again!

  Headlining the show were Overkill for their Wings Over USA tour. The crowd was already pumped and ready for the set to start. The band made their way up the dark stage, as soon as the band started playing the first song from the set list, “Last Man Standing”, the stage and the crowd lit up in bright blue and white lights. The mosh-pit started from the first notes of the first song and has lasted most of the set. At one point between the songs, Bobby “Blitz” pointed into the crowd and said “Don’t be a pussy, you know what I mean!”.

The crowd went insane as soon as the next song started, there were at least 10 guys that were crowd surfing, and the security had their hands full. I made my way to the left side of the stage, where Derek Tailer (Rhythm Guitar) was. He was interacting with the audience in front of him and definitely having fun. The band performed the material spanning their whole career. Overkill are thrash legends, and definitely know how to keep the insane energy going the whole set. This was an unforgettable experience.

Exhorder setlist: My Time, Unforgiven, Slaughter in the Vatican, (Cadence of) The Dirge, Hallowed Sound, Desecrator

Overkill setlist: Last Man Standing, Electric Rattlesnake, Hello From the Gutter, Elimination, Bring Me the Night, Distortion, Necroshine, Under One, Bastard Nation, Mean, Green, Killing Machine Feel the Fire, Ironbound, Coma, Rotten to the Core, Fuck You (The Subhumans cover), Welcome to the Garden State, Fuck You (Reprise)

Remaining dates are as follows. 3/02/2020 Albuquerque NM – Sunshine Theater 3/04/2020 San Antonio TX – Aztec 3/05/2020 Corpus Christi TX – House of Rock 3/06/2020 Houston TX – Warehouse 3/07/2020 Dallas TX – Gas Monkey 3/08/2020 New Orleans LA – House of Blues 3/09/2020 Tampa FL – The Ritz 3/10/2020 Orlando FL – House of Blues 3/11/2020 Atlanta GA – Buckhead 3/12/2020 Charlotte NC – Underground @ The Fillmore 3/13/2020 Silver Springs MD – The Fillmore 3/14/2020 Montclair NJ – Wellmont Theater * * with M.O.D. featuring Billy Milano and DEMOLITION HAMMER

Pictures and review by Artur Brakhman

    Concert Photo Review: HYDRAFORM, EXHORDER and OVERKILL @ Slims – San Francisco, California I arrived at Slim’s around 7:20pm, expecting a huge line by the door. There was no one there except for the security crew.