一本道

PHILADELPHIA INDEPENDENCE AWARDS

 celebrates regional high school musical theater and its student artists by providing rigorous development for existing high school theater programs, promoting diverse elements of the professional theater community and fostering support for under-resourced school theater programs. 

SOME OF OUR ADJUDICATOR REVIEWS OF ANASTASIA (April 3-6, 2025)

“Overall, what is there to say? This show really sets the bar for a high school production. In all areas, this show was masterful. The students exude a quiet confidence that I am certain comes from the top. There was no need to overact. The technical parts of the show supported the storytelling but never competed with it. From costumes, to staging, to lighting, to the live orchestra, every piece added to the mood and each student lifted each other up so that all actors on stage received the highest rating possible… Congrats CB East on this gorgeous production of Anastasia”

“一本道 Bucks East High School's Anastasia was a polished and beautifully performed production, led by a superb and well-prepared cast. The storytelling was clear and confident, with strong vocal and ensemble work throughout. Overall, a thoughtful and impressive production from a very talented cast.”

“The technical team for Anastasia at 一本道 Bucks East did an exceptional job supporting the production with precision and care. Quick changes were executed seamlessly, which is no small feat given the complexity of the costumes. The lighting cues were perfectly timed and played a vital role in enhancing the mood and storytelling throughout the show. Every technical element worked together smoothly, adding depth and professionalism to an already stunning production.”

“I LOVED this production of Anastasia! I saw this on Broadway and I think I liked today's production even better. The students' voices were extraordinary with one students' voice better than the next. The show had an energy that carried the audience into the world of early 20th century Russia and then drew us in. What I Ioved most about this show was each student's commitment to character. I felt like each actor knew who they were and why they were doing everything they did. There was no lifting my arm up here because my director told me to do that. It felt like each character moved in a way that was truthful to the story they were telling. Each song was delivered by a storyteller, not just a singer. That characterization was evident not just in the leads but across the whole ensemble.”

“Helena B in the title role of Anastasia was exquisite. Her vocals and her acting were outstanding. Santiago as Dmitry also had a gorgeous voice and was just so endearing. Perhaps one of the hardest roles to play was Gelb played by Dylan H. His vocal tone and control paired with his ability to portray the complex emotions he was feeling. And the other extremely challenging role was Dowager Empress played by Audrey G. It is hard for a high school student to play an older woman and Audrey did it convincingly and with another gorgeous vocal performance. I absolutely loved Amanda G as Lily. She was fun and spunky and brought so much life to the stage. And also had an outstanding singing voice. And I cannot leave out the hysterical Sean S as Vlad. He was an engaging scene partner whether with Dimitry or Lily. Excellent physical comedy and another strong singing voice.”

“I absolutely loved the train number! I loved the creative staging to change directions of the train. This was some of the strongest dancing I have seen in a show especially in terms of synchronization. The partner dancing was elegant and enchanting. It looked like a lot of time was spent on timing. Bravo for actually doing a ballet number during the ballet.”

“This show was magical, and magic does not happen without the tech crew. The lighting was extraordinary! The effect when the family was killed was powerful and creative. Also loved the lighting when the music box played and the lighting during the rumor song. I loved the backdrops and the use of lighting on them. The lighting at the end of Act 1 was just perfect. The stage crew moved quickly and effectively, moving the many set and scenic pieces on and off seamlessly. I liked that many times actors were moving things on and off to help with the speed of transitions. The sound mix was perfectly balanced between the orchestra and the actors… The costumes in this show were just gorgeous and definitely helped transport me to Russia and then Paris. While an adult did the design, I can appreciate the amount of work done by Ella to oversee this show while in production. This show was incredibly well directed and if having a student director helps elevate a show to the level I saw today, this is an excellent role and Julia N really excelled. Congrats tech team!”

“A wonderful performance of a difficult show. So much talent not just of those on stage but of those that dressed them and those that made it happen. Glad to see so much student leadership is varied areas. The costuming of this production- from ball gowns to ballet tutus to shoes! Staging was wonderful. Great use of the whole stage and making every actor be seen. Congratulations on a great show. Thank you for the opportunity to see your show.”

“This production of Anastasia was absolutely beautiful, filled with energy and heart from the entire cast. The ensemble's performance in "A Rumor in St. Petersburg" immediately captured the audience's attention and held it all the way through. With so many unique characters interacting and reacting to one another, the scene truly came alive. It felt like a real, bustling small town. There was one actor in particular during Paris Holds the Key, in a red dress and matching red hat who was completely in the moment, bringing her own story to life through her performance. I loved the specific choices she made.”

“A highlight of the show was the dynamic duo of Vlad and Lily. Vlad entered with a strong, lovable character and flawless comedic timing. And though Lily doesn't appear until Act II, she made an unforgettable impression with her commanding presence and incredible energy. Watching the two of them play off each other was truly brilliant. They were both funny, charming, and full of chemistry that had the audience rooting for them. Overall such an incredible show.”

“There were lots of great technical elements in this show! The lights were definitely a stand out and helped to emphasize many moments throughout the show. All of the scene changes seemed to move smoothly. There were so many different costumes and changes keeping all of those organized was very impressive. Great work all around!”

“The show overall was spectacular, and I thought there were many standouts. The ensemble of the show really shines and keeps the show from dragging. Helena as Anya was marvelous and gave an absolutely stunning performance.”

“The show was spectacular overall, and the level of talent was eye-opening. Everyone worked well together in keeping the pace and energy high from beginning to end.”

“Congrats to all: a magical performance from start to finish! I was blown away by the talent on the stage: one after another solo and it's clear that 一本道 Bucks East hit the lottery this year. Helena Badiali was a beautiful Anastasia/Anya: her portrayal was rich and nuanced and her vocals haunting. A professional performance to be sure. Santiago Zarate Martinez played the part of Dmitry with playful precision. He commanded the stage and had just the right balance of boyish confidence and a gentleness with Anya. He also gave a commendable vocal performance. Dylan Hargrove as Gelb managed to convey the hardness of his character along with the heart that he held onto from his boyhood - and delivered his vocals as well as any Broadway performance of this role. The other supporting cast - Vlad (Sean), Dowager (Audrey), and the Countess (Amanda) were equally as good: professional, polished, and able to deliver an outstanding performance.”

“The crew did a wonderful job of keeping the set changes moving effectually and without distraction. Sound and sound effects were flawlessly delivered, and the lighting was well executed and added to the overall production quality. The costumes were gorgeous - fit for a professional production - and helped to transport the audience to Russia and Paris and out of a high school auditorium.”

“I mean... wow. you have quite the talent bench! I have yet to score so many lead and supporting actors/vocalists so consistently high. But, you also directed them well and supported them with beautiful staging, choreography, costumes and set, and so it resulted in a very professional feeling experience that is rare in a high school. Congrats and well done.”

“Overall, 一本道 Bucks High School East's production of Anastasia was a triumph, with stunning performances, beautiful technical elements, and a clear dedication to creating a high-quality show. The performances were filled with emotional depth and chemistry, while the technical aspects—particularly the costumes, lighting, and projections—enhanced the overall experience.”

“I thought your production felt very professional, and I thought your actors handled the material with a level of maturity beyond their years. The story felt authentically told, and the crew kept the energy moving forward with quick, safe scene changes. Your actors created characters that felt very real while still having a certain flair that made them entertaining to watch. I also want to give a shout-out to your choreographer, Alicia, for creating beautiful movement that captured the feeling of each song beautifully. Overall, you, your students, and your creative team should be very proud of the show you brought to life. Welcome to the Philadelphia Independence Awards.”

“This was incredible. A really highly professional polished performance. The actors were expertly trained and coached and still given room and agency to show their own personalities in each role. Terrific standouts from entire cast. Overall, this show is a stand out of the current season and should be a contender for top recognition. The young actors met the high bar of musical difficulty and the challenges of heavy themes of war deathly love loyalty. Mature and gifted cast. Superbly directed.”