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font-size: 12px;">He would like to state, firmly and clearly, that <i>Anastasia</i> was not his first choice of musical when he'd been deliberating this winter's production. Personally, he'd have preferred something more... classic. Like <i>The Nutcracker</i> or <i>A Christmas Carol</i>. Beautiful scores, beautiful messages — you can't go wrong with those. But he's nothing if not fair, and so he always looks for his employee's opinions on the matter. He doesn't necessarily <i>always</i> listen to them, but he hears them out nonetheless.<br/>
<br/>
It had been Lydia's proposal, mostly. Then Ethan's support quickly followed. He's aware of the story of <i>Anastasia</i>, of course, and he would never claim that <i>Once Upon a December</i> is anything short of beautiful. But, well, it's a newer musical, and therefore less trustworthy. He doesn't mean to sound like an old man praising the innovation of the past, but well, the modern-day has given them things like <i>Be More Chill</i> and <i>Heathers</i>, so. It has shown that it can't really be trusted for quality or originality.<br/>
<br/>
So when he'd heard about a musical adaptation of the <i>Anastasia</i> story, of course he'd been suspicious and reluctant. But upon actually giving it a listen, he was pleasantly surprised to find that it was actually quite good. Not the best thing he's ever heard, of course, but not the worst by a long shot. And it's important to stay at some level of "current," isn't it? To keep relevant? Not that his theatre is at any risk of bankruptcy or anything. They still sell out regularly, which he ascribes to his incredibly versatile and talented cast and creative crew. This, then, obviously leads him to praise himself for having the superior mind to select all of these people and give them the most suitable roles so that everything always goes perfectly.<br/>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: center"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#600000"><i class="fa fa-wine-glass"></i> <i class="fa fa-wine-glass"></i> <i class="fa fa-wine-glass"></i> <i class="fa fa-wine-glass"></i></span>​</div><br/>
The cast had only just been decided a couple of weeks ago, and the set and the costumes are still being worked on, which means he's had to be at the theatre a great deal to oversee the project.<br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#600000">"This snow is much too plastic to present as real. More like sequins than anything. Not even the most poorly-sighted individual would believe this. We need something more finely-grained."</span> He lets the poor excuse for snow fall through his fingers back into the plastic baggy being held by his visibly overwhelmed scenic designer. Before the man can respond, the director Irina is shoving her way through the seats where Edmund sits, waving some rolled-up papers like she's about to begin a rendition of <i>Gee, Officer Krupke</i>.<br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#9a2323">"The costume designer has design ideas she'd like you to take look at,"</span> she says, Russian accent thick, handing him the papers as the scenic designer slips away. Back to his drawing board. Or back to raid another craft store, more like. He better not come back with some cotton ball idea.<br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#600000">"That was quick."</span> The look he gives it is brief, preferring to take them into his office to look over with more of a critical eye. Mrs. Sanders's designs are always spectacular — he wouldn't request her services so faithfully otherwise — but sometimes they have a difference in opinion for the finer details. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#600000">"So, how's it going down there?"</span> he asks, referring to the rehearsals going on down on the stage as if he can't hear anything from his seat.<br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#9a2323">"So far so good,"</span> she hums, <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#9a2323">"Good casting."</span><br/>
<br/>
He smiles and tries to keep it from looking smug. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#600000">"Oh, it was easy enough. Many of the actors are extremely talented, and Lydia and Ethan are some of the most adept that I have. Plus, they're quite close, so their chemistry is good — it seemed only right to cast them as the romantic leads."</span><br/>
<br/>
Irina nods her understanding, then turns her attention to her watch. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#9a2323">"We should probably take break,"</span> she informs, <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#9a2323">"It is around dinner time."</span><br/>
<br/>
He purses his lips, unsure if it wouldn't be too early. Fine. He stands and claps his hands together with a smile. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#600000">"Food break, everyone!"</span><br/>
<br/>
He ignores the various sighs of relief, taking his seat again and whipping out his phone. He forgot to bring food for himself, so maybe he should order something? Will it even arrive in time for him to actually eat it?<br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#600000"><i>Are we still meeting tonight to discuss your manuscript?</i></span> he texts Akira. He'd met the man a handful of months ago at one of his shows and he'd been intrigued enough by him to check out his work. As it turns out, the man is exceptionally talented and criminally underrated. So he'd partnered up with him, acting as a sort of... mentor, if you will, to help him grow his career. Currently, Akira is working on a novel that they'd discussed adapting into a play, and he's meant to be finishing it any day now. Ideally, he'd like to get the adaptation done by the Spring season, but that's probably not realistic.</div><div style="
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text-align: center;">「 <a class="username" data-user-id="9084" data-username="MaryGold" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/9084/">MaryGold</a> 」</div><div style="
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font-size: 10px;"><abbr class="bbc-abbr" data-trigger="hover focus touchclick" data-xf-init="tooltip" role="button" tabindex="0" title="THE GRANDVIEW • BLACK CITY">LOCATION</abbr> | <abbr class="bbc-abbr" data-trigger="hover focus touchclick" data-xf-init="tooltip" role="button" tabindex="0" title="THEATRE WORKERS | AKIRA {text}">INTERACTIONS</abbr> | <abbr class="bbc-abbr" data-trigger="hover focus touchclick" data-xf-init="tooltip" role="button" tabindex="0" title="N/A">MENTIONS</abbr></div></div><div style=" margin: auto; margin-top: 5px; height: 10px; max-width: 100%; text-align: center; font-size: 8px;">Code by Jenamos</div>