High School musicals sure have come a long way since my directing days in Nebraska at St. Agnes Academy or St. Paul Public High School. Case in point--Lakewood High School's recent production of Anastasia. Oh my, the staging, the set, and THE TALENT. This isn't a review of this production, but I can't go on without mentioning the vocal and acting talent of Kate Yorga (Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna), Morgan Fritzler (Anya/Anastasia), Noah Schuster (Demitri), and Ethan Hoover (Vlad).The immense amount of talent in these four young adults is mind boggling, and a whole world of possibilities awaits them.
I'm here to rave about a budding new talent, Madison Lee Schultz. Madi, one of our Royal Babies (see here) (and here) and my first-ever great niece, stole the show as young Anastasia and melted our hearts with her innocent portrayal of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. Could a first acting role be more perfect for a Royal Baby??
Madi auditioned for this part last fall. I saw a video of her audition, and there was no doubt in my mind that she would become a member of the cast. This little girl can project. She sang "Do You Want to Build a Snowman," all alone, on a huge stage, with no microphone. Her voice filled the auditorium. She got the part, alright, and we couldn't wait for her big debut.
Sitting in the gorgeous Lakewood High School theatre several months later, my heart raced. The director in me knew that the scene behind the stage was anything but calm. Actors, directors, tech crew, and musicians were surely zooming around getting last minute costumes, props, and lights ready to go. I sensed that backstage energy and my own nerves reacted. At about that time, Madi's mom Ana approached my seat. "Nervous wreck" was written all over her face. Just like the gymnast's mom or the quarterback's mom or the prima ballerina's mom, Ana rehearsed in spirit with Madi. She knew every line, every note, and every move of Madi's character, and she channeled her energy to her daughter backstage. Before Ana headed back to her seat, she asked if I had read Madi's bio in the program. I had not, but after we hugged and I wished her good luck, I turned to the beautiful, professional program.
If I thought I wasn't going to cry, that was put to rest right there. Our sweet Madi is always looking out for everyone,
Madi was one of the first actors to take the stage. Appearing in the prologue as young Anastasia in a flashback scene, she confidently and convincingly played her part. Enough so that tears flowed, not just my own, but a quick glance down my row revealed several audience members dabbing at their eyes. She danced elegantly with Tsar Nicholas (her dad) and sang sweetly, "Once upon a December," with the Dowager (her Nana). Her heartbreaking cry "Nana!" ended her first scene as the Dowager left town for Paris, but not before leaving little Anastasia a special music box to remember her.
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| Photos with blue background courtesy of Lakewood High yearbook staff. |
If Madi's acting ability was ever in question, that was quickly put to rest. She appeared near the end of the first act as a completely different character. She played the part of a young refugee fleeing Russia with her family. Her moving performance--sad, scared, confused--ended Act One. Images of Ukrainian children and their families filled my mind and heart. It was impossible not to get emotional seeing this reminder of history repeating itself. Intermission provided a much-needed pause after this heart-wrenching scene.
Madi made playing the part of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia seem like a piece of cake, but it couldn't have been. She's an 8 year old whose real life is filled to the brim with school and family and friends and activities. She attended rehearsals after school and some evenings and weekends but still kept up with it all. She had never acted before, yet she owned the stage in all her appearances.
It's almost like this Royal Baby was born for this part 😀 👑
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| A few fans of Madison Lee |
