ANASTASIA YOUTH EDITION MUSICAL | Theatre Teacher Reviews the Differences

[@grace5033]

Thank you so much! I'm an alum of my local CYT branch (if you know, you know), and I still have some high school-age friends/little kids who looked up to me who are still in the program, so I support as much as I can. Typically we don't do jr/youth versions of shows unless there's no full version available for licensing, so I was very confused when they announced their 2023-2024 season and revealed Anastasia YE as the winter 2024 show even though the full length is available, and it clearly wasn't a "the full length is inappropriate for a Christian program" issue because other CYT branches have done the full length before, and I'm pretty sure another branch that's in our state is doing the full-length around the same time my old branch is doing the YE. I'm super excited to see the show so I've been wondering for a while what they changed from the full length to the YE, so maybe I could see if there was anything some branches had a problem with that others didn't. And yeah, even though the teens in the cast would be more than capable of handling the darker subject matter, there are kids as young as 8 in the cast so I feel like going with the YE may have been a good way to still do the show but not have to spend too much of the rehearsal time having those intense conversations.

[@RosenberryHome]

You’re from a CYT?!?! So am I!!!

[@addiesingleton4654]

hey, so am I! 😂

[@V_Wood]

I just played marfa in anastasia youth edition and it was great! though i do wish we did the full version we only had 3 weeks to learn the show so i understand why they chose this version lol

[@AStageForTheKingdom]

Thank you so much for doing this, it's very helpful! I didn't hear you mention this, but sounds like Crossing A Bridge also got cut somewhere along the way? I'm also curious about key changes. I would assume "My Petersburg" got lowered?

[@Anime_theatre_lover]

I would like to see your review of the new jr version of something rotten!! My theatre just announced that our main stage group is doing that show and we are going to be the first theater in our town to do the junior version!! so far I have heard that the only song that got cut was “hard to be the bard”

[@margotmackay]

I’m also interested in the Jr / Young Performer editions of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Singin’ in the Rain, Bye Bye Birdie, and Once Upon A Mattress.

[@victoriouslyvale]

Yeah I love the full version I performed it last year and it was really fun but it was really long😂

[@nataliemm11.]

I'm watching this knowing i have rehearsals tomorrow and have to wake up at 7:00

[@margotmackay]

How about Drowsy Chaperone versus its Jr? My daughter’s theatre company did this last fall - I have a playlist of videos from their performances on my channel!

[@Coopsartsandmore.]

What about Elf and elf jr Or Freaky firday and frisky friday act one addition

[@gemtachataj6119]

Are the keys of the songs changed?

[@mehster1488]

I had the pleasure of playing the role of Dmitry im a version of this show. Absolutely phenomenal play

[@Sesehudson24601]

Im playing anya in a production of youth edition!!! So excited

[@androidannie3984]

What song did you audition with?? A children’s theater in my town is doing it and i really want the role :D

[@Sesehudson24601]

@@androidannie3984 pnce upon a december

[@Sesehudson24601]

In my dreams and once upon a december

[@KeenanSophieLarafan]

Thank you so much for this! This is the channel I have been looking for as a middle/high school drama director. I am usually very wary of these shortened versions, but sometimes a one hour production is just the more realistic choice.

[@cayleejo]

Thankyou for your comment! I LOVE knowing that my videos are reaching fellow theatre teachers/directors. There are some really high quality youth and Jr shows out there, unfortunately it is trial and error, and a lot of time lost reading scripts, to figure out which ones those are! With high school students I generally do the full length versions, but it is always a race to the finish line and certain songs/scenes are never as polished as I hope. One year we did the "Enchanted Version" of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, which is 90 minutes, and it was the sweet spot for my students. We never had a more well-rehearsed and polished show than that one! I wish more companies would offer titles at the intermediary length. The quality/quantity battle as a director with youth performers is very real!

[@paradoxx8023]

I’m currently doing this show (The full length, not the Jr. production) and it’s really interesting to see what was cut

[@arrow_of_ravenclaw5155]

I always wondered how this one would go. While the full length isn’t risque at all, its very dark

[@ColtonScruggs]

My school is doing Anastasia youth edition and I’m playing Dimitri. Two more shows to go.

[@cayleejo]

I hope you had a great run! What fun role to tackle!

[@shalalalalalalala]

Thank you so much for doing this video! 🙂 also do you have any recommendations of songs for Jane Banks from Mary Poppins?

[@cayleejo]

I would look at songs from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, A Little Princess, The Sound of Music, and possibly Babes in Toyland!

[@shalalalalalalala]

@@cayleejo Thank you!

[@jennifierakers129]

I was told there is a Jr. show ready to go, but they are waiting on the playwriter and composer to approve the shortened version.

[@florefrancolop]

What's the difference between a Jr and a Youth edition?

[@w1nterdays]

@@florefrancolopi believe intended age demographic. Jr shows are mostly for middle schoolers and youth I’d imagine is for elementary

[@kylistoner3961]

@@w1nterdays Concord (The licensing company) uses "youth editions" as their jr versions! So middle school age demo

[@gmarie188]

My high school is putting Anastasia on this year but a summer program I want to do is doing the youth version this year!! Thanks for this vid! This helped me decide I think I should do both! (I might even get a better role this summer!!!)

[@cayleejo]

I think it's a great idea to do both shows! You'll really know the ins and outs the second time that you audition

[@gmarie188]

@@cayleejo Thank you sm for the advice! Auditions are in June I'm excited!