Interview | Anastasia Land & Adam Steiner

His Most royal Majesty

His Most Royal Majesty

His Most Royal Majesty

One of ze most fabulous musicals of all time, CATS, iz set to hit ze stage at ze Fisher Theatre, midtown d’Etroit. Imagine my surprise, when I discovered this tour of ze production contains performances by – human beings – as opposed to ze much superior Feline.

Reluctantly, I accepted ze commission for Monsieur Adam Steiner – playing ze role of ze incomparable Rum Tum Tugger – and ze lovely, Mademoiselle Anastasia Lange (Purrr) – playing ze role of Grizzabella,- and I, his Most Royal Majesty, to s’entrevoir.

During our conversation, I was forced to resist ze advances of Mademmoiselle, and her attempts to seduce me, but as usual, I conducted myself in ze most professional manner befitting of a gentleman.

His Most Royal Majesty: Meow Meow’s to you both – My first question iz, whether or not you had seen ze extraordinaire C

ATS before you were called upon to perform in ze production?

Adam: Well, I had really . . . (cut off )

HMRM: Ah ta ta ta Monsieur – please, allow ze lady to go first.

Anastasia: Thank you, . . . His Most Royal Majesty.

HMRM: It is nothing, my pet. But, please, call me Esteban.

Anastasia: Ok . . . Esteban . . . I had seen CATS when I was seven or eight, in either Grand Rapids or Detroit. I knew they were animals but I thought the play took place in outer space.

HMRM: I’m sorry, Anastasia. Did you say animals?

Anastasia: Cats – I meant to say cats.

Adam: I had never seen CATS , which creates a bit of a catch-22. On one hand, I didn’t know what to expect, but that allowed me as a performer to come with a fresh mind.

HMRM: (short paws) Thank you, Adam… How does one audition – Anastasia – for such a difficult and complex role? I would imagine that attempting to impersonate a Feline would be among the most impossible of tasks.

Anastasia: I went to an Open Call. There are hundreds there who look like you, dress like you, and I sang, “I dreamed a dream” from Les Miserables. The funny thing is, I’m part of an Eco- friendly movement and my friends were asking if I was really going to wear all that makeup, and the fur coats.

Adam: Old-fashioned Open Call for me too. I went one morning, as a replacement, signed in, sang, and I was called within 24 hours.

HMRM: And, did you celebrate, Mademoiselle, after you received the call?

Anastasia: I was in Boston when I got the Call Back, visiting my boyfriend, on a bus, actually, and I didn’t answer because of all the people. When I got to the station I phoned them back. We went to Neptune Oyster and celebrated with Champagne and lobster rolls.

Adam: I had to work at 7pm – waiting tables – and didn’t think I got it. But, by 7:30 they called and I left work right on the spot. I phoned my dad and . . . (interrupted)

HMRM: Did you say, boyfriend, Anastasia?

Anastasia: Yes – we had lobster rolls.

HMRM: (long paws) Tell me, what iz it like to take ze stage in such an important production.

Anastasia: It is such a thing to play a role that’s been done – a lot of expectation. I start from a very simple place and go from there.

HMRM: That’s it – a very simple place?

Adam: For me, when the overture starts, you walk in and must fully commit to the audience. It doesn’t matter how you feel – the show must go on. You may be screaming outside the stage door but once you’re on stage the magic begins.

HMRM: What does your boyfriend do? Does he have lustrous fur like me? (Awkward paws) Let me ask you, Anastasia, do you even like Cats?

Anastasia: Yes, I do, Esteban. I have a mutt, part Burmese/Himalayan mix.

Adam: I’m allergic to Cats.

HMRM: I am sure that you are, Monsieur. (Paws) Do you and your “Eco-friendly” group of human beings believe that Felines should be
spayed, neutered and declawed?

Anastasia: Yes, it’s quite necessary to neuter and declaw, my cats were always, and it definitely saved the furniture.

CATS | Anastasia Lange

CATS | Anastasia Lange

HMRM: How . . . philanthropic of you.