This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:26] David Alpert: Welcome to E-Ticket to Broadway, where Broadway meets Main Street.

[0:26] David Alpert: Here's your host, my pal, David Alpert.

[0:25] David Alpert: Hello, listeners. Thanks for tuning in to another episode of E-Ticket to Broadway. I want you all to think about your favorite Disney character and shout it out on the count of three. Are you ready? Here we go. One, two, three. Now please let me know on Instagram which of you shouted Elsa incredibly loudly at the DMV. Many thanks to everyone for the support, from following along with E-Ticket to Broadway on Instagram to sharing positive reviews on Apple Podcasts, to visiting our E-Ticket to Broadway shop and purchasing some fun merch. And for the wonderful Patreon supporters who are helping both E-Ticket and Gillanus Fund grow. One of our newest supporters is Josh R from California, and I want you to meet him now. Josh, thank you for being an E-Ticket supporter as well as one of the many magic makers at the parks. Do you have any early memories of going to Disneyland?

[1:17] Josh: So I don't have many early memories of Disneyland. Um, I do remember going to Disney World when I was three. Prior to going when I was three years old, I went last February of 2020. So right before um everything shut down. And I remember passing those fountains. And um unfortunately they were off because it was February, so it was cold, um, even though it's rare for Florida to get cold in any month. And I just remember making that connection of being, oh, those are those fountains. And um, and so now it's just become a little tradition every time I go now to pass those fountains and just remember what happened there.

[2:33] David Alpert: That's great. I always think that the Disney parks, as much as they change, there's some things that won't change, and we can tie it to these memories, to family, to memories. I think that's kind of the magic of the Disney parks, that it's always there.

[2:46] Josh: Oh, for sure. It's it it could be something as insignificant as a fountain in the ground.

[2:51] David Alpert: Oh, yeah.

[2:52] Josh: Yeah. Where it it it just sparks such a deep rooted memory. And like you said, it's sometimes things leave, things come. But it and then that's the other thing with Disney is how they're always so good at honoring their history, where any time a ride becomes something new, there's always little hints and little treats of the past where you can look at and remember and be like, oh yeah, good times. You know, even like on Pirates, which was recently, you know, changed a bit to better reflect the times and and undo some past mistakes. The fact that there's still a redheaded pirate, you know, the fact that she's a redhead, for me as a redhead, I was like, yes, thank you for reminding me that there was a redhead here. Now it's a totally different version of it, but it is an homage to the past while pushing forward into the future.

[3:44] David Alpert: I like that you you mentioned that. So, Josh, what made you want to become a cast member?

[3:48] Josh: It's pretty much the thing that most people say where um they grew up with Disney, they grew up with the parks, and they've always admired these people that made the magic. And of course, it's still said to this day that cast members make the magic. It was just a matter of wanting to be one of those many people that gets to make it happen and gets to make people's days and gets to make people's vacations. And I've been fortunate to live in Southern California my whole life. So Disney is always the and the parks specifically have always been um a yearly tradition. And then of as I got older, I got an annual pass and I would go countless times a year. And I just felt like I had been there long, like so many times to where I had the expertise to not only make my days better, but then I would also take friends who hadn't been in a while or just friends who didn't know the parks as well, and then just make their trips infinitely better. And then once I became of legal age, I was just like, well, why not let me help complete strangers and completely make their trips any way I can.

[5:02] David Alpert: What was the job that you ended up taking as a cast member?

[5:05] Josh: So I've had two roles. So my first time was uh actually a college program in California Adventure. I was ODV, so I was the ice cream carts.

[5:18] David Alpert: Oh my gosh. That is amazing. Did you sometimes just for fun open the top of it to play with the dry ice? Because that's what I would do.

[5:26] Josh: For sure, countless times. Um definitely before the end of my program, I went from a zero tolerance of being able to hold dry ice to being able to hold it in my palm for like a solid 30 seconds and not feel anything. We do not support that. We do not recommend that to anyone. Josh is a trained professional. I do not condone it. Do not try this at home. If you get any form of ice cream from the Disney parks, listen to us cast members when we tell you it is stored in dry ice. Let it thaw. I have seen cracked teeth.

[6:02] David Alpert: Yeah. My favorite is the Mickey Mouse ice cream sandwich bar, which I'm sure I probably purchased from you at some point while I was visiting.

[6:10] Josh: It may have happened. And my proudest thing is that I've never hurt my teeth on it. But one day. You know what? Listen, if I crack my teeth eating at Disneyland on a Mickey Mouse ice cream bar, there are worse things.

[6:23] David Alpert: Oh, totally. Yeah, totally worth it. So besides selling ice cream, what other cast member role did you have?

[6:30] Josh: So my current role is food and beverage in Tomorrowland, actually.

[6:35] David Alpert: So uh fellow Tomorrowland cast member.

[6:38] Josh: Yes.

[6:39] David Alpert: Oh my gosh. Where where are we talking like Pizza Planet?

[6:42] Josh: So I'm actually at Galactic Grill, which was Tomorrowland Terrace.

[6:45] David Alpert: That's right. Um and so I get to see Autopia every day. I get to send guests to the Autopia bathrooms every day.

[6:53] David Alpert: Yes, you do. Those bathrooms are great.

[6:55] Josh: Because those those are.

[6:57] David Alpert: You heard it here, folks. Those are the best bathrooms in Tomorrowland, if not the park. So, Josh, let's talk about your love of the winter holidays at the parks. You shared with me that your favorite attraction is the It's a Small World holiday. Why the overlay specifically and not, you know, its original glory?

[7:13] Josh: Um, I mean, obviously, you can't not love the original small world. It's just it's the same thing with Haunted Mansion Holiday, where it just goes from one ride to another with decoration. Um it just makes it for me, it just makes it so much more magical. Um, Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, um, especially because I have such a big family, and Christmas is the time we all come together and I get to see them, and that's like the guaranteed time of year where I get to spend time with my family. So just seeing it's a small old holiday reminds me of that time. And then also the thousands of lights on the outside of the facade is just spectacular. It's it's a sight to be seen.

[8:04] Josh: I love those videos when they turn it on and the crowd just like ooz and ahs. It's it's pure magic. It's brilliant. Just seeing people's reactions is the best.

[8:13] David Alpert: Yeah. Do you ever, when you're going on it the rest of the year, start singing jingle bells quietly to yourself?

[8:18] Josh: There are times for sure. I remember not too long ago, there was um after the overlay back when it really went back to normal. Um, I don't know if it was on purpose by a sneaky cast member or how it happened, but there was one single Christmas decoration in the attraction that had gotten left behind. So every time I saw it, I was just like, is it is it gonna stay there until the next overlay? Is it is it gonna get taken away soon? And so every time I saw it, I would start thinking jingle bells.

[8:51] David Alpert: Okay, Josh, you and I are both land boys. So this is a very special edition of Fast Pass Answers, Disneyland edition. Are you ready?

[9:00] Josh: Yes. It's gonna be really fun. I'm excited for this.

[9:02] David Alpert: Okay, 30 seconds on the clock after I ask the first question. And remember, it's all Disneyland based.

[9:06] Josh: Yes.

[9:07] David Alpert: So Josh, name a ride in Fantasyland.

[9:10] Josh: It's a small world.

[9:11] David Alpert: Name any show or parade to have been performed at California Adventure.

[9:15] Josh: Block Party Bash.

[9:17] David Alpert: Favorite snack in the parks?

[9:19] Josh: Mickey Pretzel.

[9:21] David Alpert: Name a ride in Tomorrowland.

[9:23] Josh: Space Mountain.

[9:24] David Alpert: True or false, you must be 32 inches or taller to ride the Autopia.

[9:30] Josh: True.

[9:31] David Alpert: Name any character that appears in Phantasmic.

[9:34] Josh: Mickey Mouse.

[9:35] David Alpert: Name any country featured in It's a Small World.

[9:38] Josh: Uh Japan.

[9:39] David Alpert: Time. Oh, you just snuck in with Japan. Well done, Josh. You know your Disneyland very well. That was fun.

[9:44] Josh: Block Party Bash.

[9:47] David Alpert: Oh my god, so good. I never had the pleasure of seeing it in person, which is very unfortunate, but um I have many a parade playlists on YouTube.

[9:58] Josh: So yeah, yeah. Uh also that soundtrack. I mean, those of us that love the Disney park so much, as I'm sure most of our listeners would agree with, when you're, you know, in public listening on your headphones, no one knows you're listening to the Space Mountain soundtrack.

[10:12] David Alpert: Absolutely not. If you ever see me on the trains of New York City, uh the subway, I am definitely listening to something Disneyland.

[10:20] Josh: Absolutely. I mean, I have my own choreography to the Space Mountain music loop, but nobody knows that it's just Space Mountain.

[10:27] David Alpert: I do. Well, Josh, thank you for playing Fast Pass Answers. Well done. I hope that you're still breathing and thinking about the magic of Disneyland.

[10:36] Josh: Oh, for sure. But I want to thank you as well for your support for E-Ticket to Broadway. It truly means a lot. So thank you so much. And thank you for being a cast member.

[10:44] Josh: Thank you for having me. And it's it is my pleasure to be a cast member.

[10:49] David Alpert: To learn more how you can become a Patreon supporter like Josh, visit www.eticketpodcast.com. The guest on this episode is one of my favorite human beings. She's been seen on Broadway in Avenue Q, The King and I, Dear Evan Hansen, Leap of Faith, Frozen, If/Then, and A History Making Turn as Belle in Beauty and the Beast. And now I invite you to relax, pull up a chair as E-Ticket to Broadway proudly presents Ann Sanders.

[11:12] David Alpert: Welcome to E-Ticket to Broadway, my wonderful friend Ann Sanders. Are you ready to talk about all things Disney?

[11:34] Ann Sanders: 100%.

[11:41] David Alpert: Oh yes. 100%. I have the VHS of Mulan, um, Beauty and the Beast, of course, what else? Pocahontas, and you know, that's what's so great about Disney Plus now, because you don't have to like bust out those creations. It's all there.

[11:58] Ann Sanders: What about any of like the classics, like Snow White or Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio?

[12:03] Ann Sanders: Yes, yeah. Oh, Pinocchio. I mean, absolutely. I grew up with those.

[12:08] David Alpert: Yes. Did you enjoy that?

[12:10] Ann Sanders: Yes. Yes, 100%.

[12:14] David Alpert: Do you remember going to see any movies in the movie theater? Or were they all VHS?

[12:20] Ann Sanders: That's interesting. I feel like it was always at home. Uh just the VHS and then with the family, and then it was just I would I would just keep replaying them all day long. And so that would be like the soundtrack that I would listen to, you know, and just have it in the background the whole time and of course act out everything and be silly.

[12:43] David Alpert: Yeah. Did you ever dream at a young age that one day you would get to play a Disney character on stage?

[12:49] Ann Sanders: Absolutely not. I didn't even think that that was a possibility. I didn't even know that uh you could do something like that. And I think we've mentioned this before. I grew up in Chicago. And so we uh and we didn't travel much growing up and uh we would go to uh Six Flags. That was my, you know, uh you know, theme park connection.

[13:16] Ann Sanders: Am I about to combust on this program? For our listeners, Six Flags is an amusement park, and it's kind of like Disney, but not as magical. No offense to the Six Flag fans out there, but yeah, Six Flags was, yeah, now I hear you.

[13:31] David Alpert: So you went to Six Flags as a kid.

[13:42] Ann Sanders: I've experienced that as well. Um, and I didn't make the connection that you could also see shows there, and of course the whole magic of the theatrical aspects of Disneyland and Disney World I didn't know about. I mean, I think it was a way to protect myself too, like, oh, I'm not missing out, you know, on anything. But um, then flash forward to going to San Diego to work at the Old Globe, and I'm working on the show called Allegiance, and the cast was mortified that I had never been to Disneyland. And so immediately all the rehearsals in between breaks and during tech, it was their mission to start planning, you know, what we were gonna do on our first day off after we open. And they planned it all out, and I was the mom of the group, and I was like, all right, we're leaving at 5 a.m. You know, set two alarms, you know, pack your snacks, wear comfortable shoes, you know, we're getting there for the rope drop and we're staying until they kick us out.

And um, we're literally in the park for two minutes, and I hear, I turn around and I see this group of people that I met while I was performing in Stuttgart, Germany with Beauty and the Beast. Um, or should I say um, you can edit that out. And I thought of course, you know, only in Disneyland would we all be reunited there at that exact same moment, 12 years later. I mean, how many people are in the park at any given time, you know? So it's the power of Disney magic. Um, I think that was the two things that I learned about Disneyland. It always offers the expected and then the unexpected, you know, and so it was such a great unexpected gift to see them there, you know, two minutes into the park.

[15:40] David Alpert: Do you think that Mickey was offended that you were more recognizable than he was that day?

[15:47] Ann Sanders: I think Mickey enjoys all guests, and um, perhaps yes, perhaps he appreciated, you know, taking a sidestep to me meeting some people. Someone has definitely worked for Disney before and knows how to navigate those questions. That was so lovely.

[16:04] David Alpert: So diplomatic.

[16:07] Ann Sanders: Hey, twice over.

[16:08] David Alpert: That's right. We're gonna get into that. So walking through the gates of Disneyland for the first time, besides being recognized as a, you know, a musical theater star, what do you remember that feeling being like?

[16:20] Ann Sanders: It truly was magical because of all of the detail in the park. And um, I don't think I realized how much care goes into the storytelling with even just the gardens. And while you're waiting in line, there's always something that's inhabiting your brain and making you think and dream and imagine. And you feel it the minute you walk in. Uh, and every character that you meet and every person, and it just brings joy immediately. So I think that really surprised me how theatrical it was, I guess. I guess I had always been thinking, oh, you know, yeah, it's a theme park, you know. And so to realize their storytelling throughout all of the streets and everywhere you go. So that was cool.

[17:15] David Alpert: Well, especially if your point of view is, you know, Six Flags where I grew up, there was Michigan's Adventure, these amusement parks, you kind of expect something similar, but a theme park, especially Disneyland, which is the OG, it's a whole new experience.

[17:28] Ann Sanders: Mm-hmm.

[17:28] David Alpert: Did you, you know, you shared more singing?

[17:35] Ann Sanders: Please, always we love it on E-Ticket to Broadway. I do need to thank your E-Ticket to Broadway listeners because I've been following along and I mean, besides all the memories and great things that I had forgotten about, I'm like curating this list of where I can go because I've not been to Epcot, you know, I've not been to Disney World. And so all of your guests have, uh, listeners have, you know, chimed in with the best places to go. So I'm writing everything down. So thank you. Thank thank you to the e-community.

[18:06] David Alpert: Yes, they're really good travel agents.

[18:09] Ann Sanders: And I think concierge.

[18:11] David Alpert: Yeah, we're going to create a division that's purely travel guides. 100%.

[18:24] Ann Sanders: You shared that you enjoyed the Disney movies. Did you have any favorite characters from those movies?

[18:31] Ann Sanders: I will say that I was drawn to Belle in Beauty and the Beast. And um, I just love that her sense of feeling a bit like an outcast or an outsider, like we all can experience. And she had such a strong relationship with her father, which I also had, and her love of books and adventure and travel. So it was really special to me that that was the first Broadway show that I ever saw, and that that was my Broadway debut as well. So that was really special to me. And I say this a lot, but I, uh, some of the people that I met in that show during that time are still some of my best friends now. We have like a whole thread going, you know, and we keep in touch a lot.

[19:22] David Alpert: Yeah. And do you still keep Lumiere on your nightstand or is that, is he somewhere else?

[19:27] Ann Sanders: He's my chandelier now. So I just make him my chandelier. Yes. Yes.

[19:33] David Alpert: He's an upgrade. And I love that you talked already about Beauty and the Beast, which, you know, as of course, as you just shared, it was the first show you saw on Broadway, which was also one of the first shows I saw on Broadway. It was your Broadway debut. When you saw it on stage as an audience member, what were your initial feelings as you watched the show?

[19:54] Ann Sanders: I was just so impressed of how they transferred it from the movie and expanded songs and moments to go even further. I'd always had this connection to the movie as I mentioned earlier, but then to see it expanded even further her relationship with her father and then the beast not, you know, becoming vulnerable and saying that he doesn't know how to read and then that library scene where he gives all the books to her and then, you know, they go back and forth with giving the book back and because she realizes he can't read and so then she reads him the story, you know, Excalibur. And so I didn't think I could love it more but I completely did. And um, you know, I was one of those people that like in my purse I had like a tape recorder because I wanted to record all of the moments and I like snuck it in and I thought, oh my god, I'm gonna be busted, they're gonna find it in my purse or something because I wanted all the moments, you know, I wanted everything that they were saying and to have forever. And so I still have that somewhere, but I don't know how I would play it.

[21:12] David Alpert: You do.

[21:14] Ann Sanders: Wow. I mean, that was the time, you know. I remember seeing it that you couldn't go to YouTube and watch highlight reels, you can watch the B-roll. I mean, like it was really truly unique in a theatrical moment. I loved it. I also feel like, and maybe you feel this way too, that the magic of the show didn't feel out of place. It felt so natural to the storytelling.

[21:36] Ann Sanders: That's exactly right. It didn't, it just felt like that was a natural progression of the way things could, would, and should go, you know. And it was great for me because I, uh, I mentioned earlier that I'd done the show in Stuttgart, Germany. So I knew it first in German, uh, because the whole show was sung in German and the book was also translated. And so it was incredible to work on that show in different languages because, you know, in German the verb falls at the end of the sentence, so the inflection of how you would even say it was different, and they worked with us six weeks on phonetics and just saying, okay, well, how would you say this line in English? And we'd say it and they'd say, okay, well, this is how you need to stress it in German.

So I actually learned the show first in German. And I was pretty grateful that I never said any German words on the Broadway stage, but like a couple of times, you know, when it would get heated, I, uh, you know, I might be like, instead of no, like nein, like almost creeped out, or like their names were different instead of Mrs. Potts, it was Madame Potine. And so I would catch myself being like, oh, Mrs. Potts, you know.

[22:48] David Alpert: Do you remember how to say like Papa, do you think I'm odd in German?

[22:55] Ann Sanders: Oh, that's a good one. Um, you know what? I remember the songs because the lyric, the, so I remember the start of "Home." It's like um, ja, ich traf die Wahl for Papa Bleib hier so failure do Monster.

[23:15] David Alpert: This is one of the highlights of E-Ticket to Broadway right there.

[23:19] Ann Sanders: There it was. I'm telling you, we're going, we're going global.

[23:23] David Alpert: You're gonna have a translation.

[23:24] Ann Sanders: Oh yeah. We're going, oh my gosh. I would love to hear like some of the quick patter in "Be Our Guest" in German. Like that would have been such a cool thing to see.

[23:34] Ann Sanders: Yes. Zahir Gasp.

[23:37] David Alpert: Zahir Gasp.

[23:38] Ann Sanders: Yeah, that's it. We'll have to, I'll find you a Lumiere.

[23:41] David Alpert: Oh yes, it'll be fine. You know, I was just gonna mention that it wasn't lost on me that it was, um, you know, here I was in Germany, this Asian American woman, uh, singing in German, and the story was set in this French provincial town, you know. And um, it just really reminded me how forward thinking Disney always is. You know, they're ahead of their time, uh, on all of that and all throughout the parks. And you know, I remember going, uh, you know, after we were in Disneyland, I remember the next, you know, beeline after Splash Mountain and Tower of Terror, which I believe I sent you some choice photos, choice.

[24:26] David Alpert: We're gonna talk about that because they get you, you know, they positioned the cameras right where the drops are, and so you know, I coughed up that $25 to get that, you know, photo. But we, I had to. We beelined over to um see Aladdin at Disneyland. And I, uh, the first person that I saw on stage was Jennifer Kumiyama, who is the first performer in a wheelchair to ever be on any Disney stage in the world. And she's Asian American. And it was so moving for me to see that. And I remember going home that night, uh, Googling her and looking up everything about her and finding out about um Arthrogryposis, which is a congenital shortening of the joint muscles, what she had, and then just thinking that, you know, she performed the show four times a day. 8,000 people are seeing her from every corner of the world seeing that that's possible.

[25:31] David Alpert: I agree with you. I really love that. I love, you know, the fact that you were, your casting was so monumental and so wonderful and so important. Do you remember how you felt on your first time on Broadway wearing that yellow dress, knowing that you are a Disney princess on Broadway and that you might look different than the movie, but by you are Belle and we love that? What did that feel like?

[25:57] Ann Sanders: You know, for me, I think probably because I had done the show over in Germany, um, it didn't feel strange. It's only after when people here would point out, oh, wait, what, what's happening? And I remember, uh, being on the Rosie O'Donnell Show, and they received a lot of um, um comments like, oh, is it, did you guys hire an Asian Belle? And um, I hadn't really thought about it much because when we were in Europe, um, they would audition all over and we had people from Italy in the cast, we had people from the Philippines. I mean, it was this great amalgamation, so it didn't really dawn on me, um, until I came here and people started saying things about it. And I do have a memory of coming out of the stage door and um, there was this little, you know, very often they would be dressed up in the Belle dresses, the little kids, and um, there was this little Asian girl who, uh, was in the big Belle ball gown and she just immediately hugged me.

But I mean, David, I think that kids don't see any of that. She would have hugged whoever came out of the door that played Belle that day, but it was her mom standing behind her who was, uh, crying, getting teared up, and I got a little teared up myself knowing that, oh, I see why, um, sharing these stories are important, why, um, it teaches our younger generations that the opportunities are real, you know, so that definitely has stayed with me.

[27:41] Ann Sanders: It's incredible, you know, we you and I offline we talk a lot about our how much we care about representation and social justice and the fact that so many of us as kids Disney is kind of our gateway to musical theater to movies and if we can change that narrative, you know we can change the world and I love that you did that on Broadway. You changed and impacted so many people's way of thinking.

[28:09] David Alpert: Thanks. That and you were great. I saw some clips.

[28:13] Ann Sanders: Oh, the YouTube lives on. Do you have any favorite moments from being in the show? Maybe your wig getting caught in any horns on stage?

[28:24] David Alpert: Oh my goodness. Who have you been talking to?

[28:25] Ann Sanders: And talking to Playbill.com, of course.

[28:29] David Alpert: Oh, yes, yes, yes. Okay, you know, Beauty was the best family. It was the best introduction into the Broadway community because it was a true, true family. And so we the story, backstage stories that I could share with you. Uh it's another podcast. But um we would always joke around backstage and like you know, do impressions or or certain crazy things. And so I would do a Cher impression just you know, in in the wings. I don't know why. I'm like, Taylor's all the time, you know, whatever. But um one day we were doing it in the wings, and I got caught in the my hair, you know, the little tendrils got caught in the beast's horns.

[29:10] Ann Sanders: Yes, yes, yes. And you know, because of the Cher impression, you know where it's going. No, no, that that's just the sidebar. But so I'm like, uh I believe Steve Blanchard was the beast, incredible Steve Blanchard, and we're just like locked, you know, and so I'm holding on to it uh and we disengage, but all of the tendrils just come like around my face. And this is going into "Home," and so I'm walking down the stairs going, I can't see, I can't see, I can't, and I'm trying to move the hair away from my face. This probably requires a visual visual. No, it looks like Cher. It literally what she's doing is it looks like Cher. So I was like, Yes, here it is home. It's this way. Like I I sort of, because then I, you know, when I get nervous, I I do things like that. And I think Kaz, our conductor was in the you know in the pit going, what the what is but just moving the tendrils that way caused me to be singing that way. So no.

[30:12] David Alpert: Yeah, yeah. Thousand dollars for that YouTube video. If someone was in the audience. It's like where's the enchanted brush?

[30:19] Ann Sanders: Yes, Madame de la Grand Bouche. Where are you? Open up your drawers, your chest and drawers.

[30:25] David Alpert: Yeah.

[30:25] Ann Sanders: Help the girl out. And if you were to be any enchanted object, what object do you think you would choose to be?

[30:45] Ann Sanders: Oh man. This is I know I don't I don't even know if I have an answer, but this is a good one. You can choose any kitchen appliance, any piece of furniture. The first thing that came to my mind was the mirror because she could see you know oh more Germans coming out in diesem Spiegel. Kannst du alle sehen in this mirror you can see everything. And so she could see her papa and um so maybe something like that. Although that little teacup is pretty cute. That little chip. I know but like what about like the enchanted food processor like the enchanted ninja the enchanted espresso that's what I want I want an espresso.

[31:31] David Alpert: Like, I think I'd like to be like the enchanted uh cookie jar.

[31:36] Ann Sanders: Yeah, that's me. I want to be the enchanted cookie jar. It just keeps replenishing.

[31:41] David Alpert: Yeah, totally. I would be thrilled. I would always have cookies inside of me.

[31:47] Ann Sanders: You know, talking about Chip, I don't know if we want to talk about this, but I, you know, I often see the kids as they were that at that age, you know, and and to me, they're like, oh, that's Nicholas. And, you know, I I don't think about what happens to them after they leave the show because it for me they're always, you know, that size. That Chip. Well, so my friend was talking to me the other day, and they're like, Yeah, Nick, Nick Jonas. And I was like, yeah, what would have been she was like, you know, you're Nick, Nicholas from, and I was like, Nicholas? Our Chip is Nick Jonas. Like, I never made that connection that that was him. And he's the it's so, you know, during all of this time I've been uh cleaning up and going through all the playbills and stuff, and I found the sweetest card from him on my opening night saying, Welcome to the show. I know we're gonna have so much fun, and just the sweetest. I'm so glad I keep some of that stuff. But yeah, so I that's why I think I thought a Chip too. The little teacup.

[32:57] David Alpert: Now, Ann, you came back to Disney on Broadway this time as a queen, Queen Iduna to be exact. Do you think that your time as the Idina Menzel upstage look alike in two previews of If/Then prepared you for this role?

[33:12] Ann Sanders: Absolutely. From our If/Then days. There was like two previews when you got to be upstage um as Elizabeth in a different dimension. But do we feel like Queen Iduna is based on Idina? I mean, that's just one vowel off, right? The Adele de Zim. But what was it like originating a role in a Disney Broadway musical this time? Not replacing, but you originated it.

[33:42] Ann Sanders: That was really cool. Because, you know, it was kind of a full circle moment for me to get to play the mom, you know, and to have that family time with the little nuggets, uh I like to call them, the little Anna and Elsa's, it was such a beautiful way to start the show for me personally, you know, to come out and say, you know, this is a story about a family, and um, and then go on that journey in Arendelle. And then to be there while they were building that set around us every day, it was incredible then to know the history of the details that I didn't know about. That there's um, and maybe you do, that there's a tradition that there's Mickey ears hidden in every show somewhere on the set. And ours were in the chandeliers that would come on stage the first time um during that song, first time in forever.

And so I'd always after they showed us that when they're building a set, I'd always just kind of look at it and be like, yeah, Mickey. Um, they were just hidden in there. And I love talking to the audiences after the show that would tell us all the backstories of of the theories of how everything relates and um how a lot of the animated movies come together. And so this uh one group of kids that I met one day were telling me that they thought that the king and the queen were actually Tarzan's parents that were shipwrecked.

[35:03] David Alpert: Yes, that is a theory.

[35:05] Ann Sanders: I did not know that. And so it was so fun talking to them. And so then after we heard that, we backstage made up a story that um, yes, Queen Iduna is indeed pregnant with Tarzan's baby when they spoiler alert, die. And um but they were actually had twins. And um so we decided we would name the other baby. And so every week we had a different name within the cast of uh of what my baby was yeah Tarzan and yeah that I swear I promise you we work hard. We really do work hard. Uh no I know. But um you know every day it was like a different like a you know a crew person or stage management be like, oh I I just read something I came up with another name. What about credenza or uh topiary or what if your other what if what about uh you know the food category crouton or charcuterie so it was just that kind of um silly banter we would have backstage to go on yeah you know one of my favorite performances was the uh autism friendly performance that we got to do uh actually we were able to do it twice um I think for sure the cast would agree that it was our favorite audience to date because um I mean what a privilege because we could we they turned the all the lights up in the house and then we were able to see them dancing and waving to us in the aisles and um most especially during let it go I remember thinking you know Anne hold on to this moment because the kids and adults were just dancing, twirling in the aisles and the seats with abandonment, and it just represented and and embodied everything the song was about, you know.

[36:53] David Alpert: I thought we need to do more of these. Very recently, kind of in that same idea of helping the world through musical theater, you appeared on national television singing Let It Go with members of the Broadway community, kind of as a love letter to the world in a way, and it was so beautiful. Why do you think that these Disney songs resonate with people and make them so happy?

[37:15] Ann Sanders: For me, I think they really tap into that idea that we talk about when you don't have any more words to express how you're feeling, you start singing. And um the the lyrics in conjunction with the feeling of the music just transcends how how you're able to articulate how you're feeling. And that was uh that was one of those moments as well, because um you can take any of those songs and put them um take them out of the context of the story and apply them to your lives. And I think that it can really help you through through times, you know. Um lately I've been going into um the Disney Plus and visiting all the movies, and I just came across Inside Out again. And I I just think that before I had it on the last time I saw it, and I was doing things around the house, and I didn't really take the time to sit down and and watch it fully.

And it just struck me, you know, that the whole message was that you know, that the heart can hold two things at the same time, you know, grief and sadness, and um, that every time Riley, you know, uh her greatest joys in her life came from experiencing sadness and then leaning and needing her parents for support. So I just think that all of the songs and the storytelling in the Disney archive is is they they're masters. It's masterful storytelling.

[38:50] David Alpert: Very well said. That was really smart. You're very smart, Ann Sanders.

[38:55] Ann Sanders: Well, I am wearing glasses now.

[38:57] David Alpert: Well, yes, but only because you're being Liz.

[38:59] Ann Sanders: I was just about to say that you beat me. But do you also have the memory of we were in tech during If/Then and Adina had to fly out to um sing? Was it for the grand?

[39:15] David Alpert: It was for the Oscars. Excuse me. I'm sorry, the Oscars. And you know, they were gonna do a truncated version. So we're like setting lights and she's practicing. Oh like we had our own uh concert version of her singing that. And um I mean, stellar human being, stellar actor, stellar singer.

[39:37] Ann Sanders: So yeah.

[39:39] David Alpert: Did you come with us to see Frozen in the movie theater in DC?

[39:43] Ann Sanders: No, I couldn't. I I wasn't there. I think I went home that day because we were in DC and she uh don't you love that? She was like, oh, I did this little animated movie. I don't know. Just completely downplaying and like, I don't know.

[39:58] David Alpert: Do you wanna so and here on E-Ticket to Broadway, we love mashing up Disney theme parks and Broadway. So my question for you is who do you think would have the most fun at Disneyland? Anna Leonowens, Christmas Eve, Cynthia Murphy, or Kathy?

[40:27] Ann Sanders: Um All right, let's see. So I'm thinking Mrs. Anna loves children and rides, but that hoop skirt is gonna really get in her way. You know what I'm saying? So I Christmas Eve.

[40:44] Ann Sanders: I think she'd be figuring out ways to make it better. She would not like the line system, and she would think that, you know, you should have tickets and come back later, a scheduled time, perhaps. I would give her a fast pass, you know.

[41:00] David Alpert: Yeah, for sure.

[41:02] Ann Sanders: She should have a fast pass, yes. Um, you know what? I think I'm gonna lean into the Cynthia Murphy, Dear Evan Hansen. She needs it because she's been crying so much.

[41:11] David Alpert: Yes, yes.

[41:13] Ann Sanders: Get her a trip to Disneyland.

[41:14] David Alpert: Yeah, she needs to, you know, loosen her bob a little bit. Let her let the roller coaster win through her hair.

[41:21] Ann Sanders: Yeah. Put her on Tower of Terror, perhaps.

[41:25] David Alpert: Look at our Instagram page.

[41:27] Ann Sanders: She needs to do that first. What about Kathy and others from If/Then?

[41:32] David Alpert: You know, Kathy's in Olive Garden, you know. She's looking for her husband in Olive Garden and wondering where he is.

[41:40] Ann Sanders: Yeah, but she'd probably bring her kids.

[41:42] David Alpert: I feel like, yes, she would, she would bring her kids, yes.

[41:46] Ann Sanders: Um, I feel like Queen Iduna would be looking for all the other dead moms in the park.

[41:55] David Alpert: We went there.

[41:58] Ann Sanders: Because no, they live on in the park. So I feel like she'd be looking for, yes, she'd be looking for Bambi's mom. She'd be looking for Raksha, you know, killed my children.

[42:09] David Alpert: Yes.

[42:10] Ann Sanders: You know, Belle's mother died of the plagues, and she'd be looking for a few. I mean, I think there's a song about it, too.

[42:18] David Alpert: But she, you know, she'd be looking for Tarzan's mom.

[42:20] Ann Sanders: Yeah, yeah. So, and they would have like a little tea party and catch up.

[42:27] David Alpert: That's a beautiful thought.

[42:29] Ann Sanders: I'm a very interesting observation.

[42:32] David Alpert: That's why I'm not in charge of the parks.

[42:34] Ann Sanders: I'm planning the parks.

[42:36] David Alpert: Okay, everyone. We're gonna create a really fun parade. What do we think? What about Mickey and friends? What about the animals of the Disney catalog?

[42:44] Ann Sanders: And my hand goes up. What about, and be stay with me on this one?

[42:48] David Alpert: Yeah.

[42:48] Ann Sanders: The deceased mothers having a tea party.

[42:51] David Alpert: Yes.

[42:53] Ann Sanders: Wild applause. Come on. Chime in, e-ticket community. Demand what you want to see.

[42:59] David Alpert: Demand, I will play all of them.

[43:01] Ann Sanders: I would watch that. That would be fun.

[43:04] David Alpert: Especially Bambi's mom.

[43:10] Ann Sanders: Oh, Philly. We'll be right back.

[43:13] David Alpert: Oh, what's the bad commercial?

[43:33] David Alpert: It is time for fast pass answers. I'm gonna put 30 seconds on the clock after I ask the first question to answer as many of these as you can.

[43:41] Ann Sanders: There's a clock.

[43:42] David Alpert: Yeah. Are you ready?

[43:45] Ann Sanders: Ready.

[43:46] David Alpert: Ann Sanders, name any Disney villain.

[43:53] Ann Sanders: Scar.

[43:54] David Alpert: Name a song from Dear Evan Hansen.

[43:57] Ann Sanders: You will be found.

[44:00] David Alpert: Favorite Disney Princess.

[44:03] Ann Sanders: Belle.

[44:04] David Alpert: True or false, you love Baby Yoda.

[44:06] Ann Sanders: True.

[44:07] David Alpert: Name a character from Beauty and the Beast.

[44:10] Ann Sanders: Cogsworth.

[44:11] David Alpert: Name a song from Frozen.

[44:14] Ann Sanders: Let it go.

[44:16] David Alpert: Favorite Broadway musical.

[44:18] Ann Sanders: Oh man. Really?

[44:20] David Alpert: It hasn't been written yet.

[44:22] Ann Sanders: Oh, come on.

[44:24] David Alpert: It hasn't been written yet. The next Disney one.

[44:29] Ann Sanders: Scar.

[44:30] David Alpert: Favorite Disney villain.

[44:31] Ann Sanders: I don't know. Or not favorite, Disney Many.

[44:34] David Alpert: Okay. We like Scar.

[44:35] Ann Sanders: Um, okay, and it's time to talk about your love of Baby Yoda.

[44:39] David Alpert: Oh, I, you know, yes, yes.

[44:43] Ann Sanders: I mean, not much is much to say. I don't, does anyone not like Baby Yoda? Or I feel like I need to call him by his appropriate name.

[44:50] David Alpert: Is it Grogu?

[44:51] Ann Sanders: Groguru. You know what? I'm not a Star Wars fan.

[44:58] David Alpert: I know.

[44:59] Ann Sanders: Sign off. Everyone, sign off.

[45:04] David Alpert: I love people's fandoms.

[45:06] Ann Sanders: Mm-hmm. Not for everyone. I understand.

[45:08] David Alpert: But have you watched Mandalorian?

[45:11] Ann Sanders: Not yet, because I've got to finish watching the original movies.

[45:14] David Alpert: Okay, because I also, you know, my husband's a big, and I was like, I don't know, honey. And then that, and then Baby Yoda got me, and the every all the actors on that show. It's really, really good.

[45:24] Ann Sanders: Mm-hmm. Highly recommend.

[45:31] David Alpert: Hold on, you're thinking.

[45:33] Ann Sanders: It's trivia time.

[45:34] David Alpert: Oh boy.

[45:37] Ann Sanders: Okay, it's trivia time. Here we go. In the fall of 2020, Tokyo Disneyland opened The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, a trackless dark ride, and the first ride through attraction of this classic Disney film. Guests board chip-like teacups as they go through the Beast Castle, seeing their favorite characters dancing to their favorite songs.

[45:56] David Alpert: In the animated movie, Maurice is the one to first stumble upon the Beast's Castle somewhere in France, and in the woods, he and his horse Philippe come across a sign with different cities painted on them pointing in different directions. True or false, one of the cities listed is Anaheim, home to Disneyland.

[46:20] Ann Sanders: True.

[46:22] David Alpert: It is true.

[46:24] Ann Sanders: You are right. I felt like they would do that.

[46:27] David Alpert: The details.

[46:32] Ann Sanders: And sure enough, they're all towns from Southern California, but on the bottom of the sign, it's kind of faded, but it clearly says Anaheim.

[46:39] David Alpert: Oh, I love that.

[46:40] Ann Sanders: I love those hidden gems. Now I'm gonna go on.

[46:43] David Alpert: Now I have to go back to Tokyo Disneyland because this enchanted tale of Beauty and the Beast ride looks so cool.

[46:48] Ann Sanders: The audio animatronics are so amazing. It really feels like you're in the movie.

[46:54] David Alpert: Oh, that would be so cool.

[46:56] Ann Sanders: We should go.

[46:57] David Alpert: Absolutely. It's a date.

[47:24] Ann Sanders: And my favorite line of yours was, do you remember? Olive Garden.

[47:30] David Alpert: Well, specifically, sorry I missed the party.

[47:33] Ann Sanders: Oh, sorry I missed the party.

[47:34] David Alpert: Yes, of course. So today we're going to play everyone's favorite, Sorry I Missed the Party, Disney edition. I have 10 questions about Disney parties and those who miss them, and it is your task to answer them correctly.

[47:45] Ann Sanders: Are you so excited to play Sorry I Missed the Party, Disney edition?

[47:49] David Alpert: I will never miss another party.

[47:51] Ann Sanders: No, you won't. And if you win, you win a gift certificate to the Olive Garden.

[47:56] David Alpert: So Times Square.

[47:59] Ann Sanders: Yes, the Times Square Olive Garden.

[48:01] David Alpert: Okay. And I'm gonna help you with this because it's so fun, but it really is all about missing the party. So, number one for Sorry I Missed the Party, Disney edition. Perhaps the most upset party guest at young Aurora's birthday party. This classic Disney villain caused quite a stir when she actually wasn't invited to the party.

[48:20] Ann Sanders: Maleficent.

[48:22] David Alpert: That is right, it is Maleficent.

[48:24] Ann Sanders: You got it right. Well done.

[48:26] David Alpert: Yes, she was very angry that she missed the party.

[48:30] Ann Sanders: Number two. In the first full-length animated film, Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the title characters have a little house party, complete with silly songs, instruments, a wonderful meal, and dancing. Everyone, including the woodland creatures, seemed to be invited, except the queen who is too busy transforming into the old hag. True or false, my favorite Disney character was at that party, Dopey.

[48:56] Ann Sanders: True.

[48:57] David Alpert: It is true.

[48:57] Ann Sanders: Dopey was there.

[49:01] David Alpert: Yes, Dopey was invited to the party. It was very exciting.

[49:02] Ann Sanders: And he's your favorite.

[49:03] David Alpert: He is my favorite.

[49:05] Ann Sanders: God bless.

[49:05] David Alpert: Was anyone not invited to the party?

[49:08] Ann Sanders: I just the queen.

[49:10] David Alpert: I think everyone was invited. They got the chipmunks and the pies. It's great.

[49:15] Ann Sanders: Number three. Toy Story is a staple of the Pixar and Disney catalog. And in the first movie, Andy has a birthday party in which Woody and the gang are stuck in the bedroom trying to figure out the new toys that Andy is receiving. Of course, he has gifted Buzz Lightyear, whose famous quote is what?

[49:34] Ann Sanders: To Infinity and Beyond.

[49:37] David Alpert: Okay, double bonus points because you put your fist in the air as you said that.

[49:41] Ann Sanders: Yes, you are right. Well done.

[49:43] David Alpert: Well done. Thank you.

[49:45] Ann Sanders: Number four, for Sorry I Missed the Party, Disney edition. Rapunzel continues to miss her own birthday party thrown by her parents every year, as seen in the movie Tangled. Which Broadway musical also features Rapunzel?

[50:00] Ann Sanders: Into the Woods.

[50:02] David Alpert: It is Into the Woods.

[50:05] Ann Sanders: Oh, such a good one. We need to bring that back too.

[50:08] David Alpert: Yeah, there's that overlap from Disney to Broadway.

[50:12] Ann Sanders: Mm-hmm. You're doing very well, Ann.

[50:15] David Alpert: It's very exciting.

[50:16] Ann Sanders: I'm gonna get that gift certificate.

[50:18] David Alpert: Yes, you are.

[50:19] Ann Sanders: Number five. Perhaps one of the most famous Disney parties is the Mad Tea Party, hosted by the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, and the Dormouse. I feel like we all miss that party and the chance to be wished a very merry what?

[50:34] Ann Sanders: Unbirthday.

[50:37] David Alpert: You're gonna say it and I'm gonna go.

[50:39] Ann Sanders: You sounded like the Dormouse just there.

[50:41] David Alpert: Help.

[50:42] Ann Sanders: They wish you us a very merry unbirthday.

[50:45] David Alpert: Oh, the unbirthday.

[50:48] Ann Sanders: Very similar to Maleficent. This god of the underworld wasn't invited to baby Hercules' birthday party. But when he does arrive, he's brought a gift, a sucker for the little sucker. What is the name of this evil god?

[51:02] Ann Sanders: Hades.

[51:04] David Alpert: Yes, it is Hades.

[51:06] Ann Sanders: I loved Hercules.

[51:07] David Alpert: Oh.

[51:09] Ann Sanders: Yes.

[51:10] David Alpert: Were you able to see it in the park?

[51:11] Ann Sanders: Oh, I was.

[51:12] David Alpert: I love hearing that score.

[51:14] Ann Sanders: I think that's more so delightful. Especially our friend Lachance, one of the muses.

[51:18] David Alpert: Okay.

[51:20] Ann Sanders: If then, always and forever.

[51:22] David Alpert: Yep.

[51:23] Ann Sanders: Number seven for Sorry I Missed the Party. Down in the Hundred Acre Wood, Tigger nearly misses the birthday party for Eeyore in the 1983 featurette Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore. What gift does Pooh attempt to give to Eeyore, but ends up eating it all because it's his ultimate favorite food?

[51:41] Ann Sanders: Honey!

[51:42] David Alpert: It is honey.

[51:43] Ann Sanders: Yes, of course.

[51:45] David Alpert: He's so sweet.

[51:46] Ann Sanders: He's so sweet. He doesn't wear any pants, but he's so sweet.

[51:49] David Alpert: Nor does Donald Duck.

[51:51] Ann Sanders: Oh, yes.

[51:52] David Alpert: But why do I think that that's okay?

[51:54] Ann Sanders: Because he needs to be able to swim, I feel like.

[51:57] David Alpert: Why am I waddling while I'm in my chair?

[52:03] Ann Sanders: Oh number eight. Despite her best efforts, Cinderella's plans to go to the ball are thwarted by her evil stepsisters, and she accepts the fact that she'll miss the party until her fairy godmother appears and bibbidi-bobbidi-boos the situation. Verna Felton gave voice to the fairy godmother, as well as which queen from a classic Disney movie?

[52:26] Ann Sanders: Oh.

[52:27] David Alpert: This'll be good to know after you tell me.

[52:32] Ann Sanders: After I tell you, it's gonna be really fun.

[52:35] David Alpert: Well, let me share. So she actually, it's kind of a trick question because she actually voiced two Disney Queens. She voiced the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland.

[52:46] Ann Sanders: And she was the voice of Queen Leah, who was Aurora's mother.

[52:50] David Alpert: She has range.

[53:01] Ann Sanders: Super range.

[53:04] David Alpert: It's like Ann Sanders.

[53:06] Ann Sanders: She's in multiple Disney productions.

[53:08] David Alpert: Number nine. Anna almost missed part of Elsa's coronation party in Frozen because she was too busy flirting with Hans and singing Love is an Open Door. How many older brothers does Hans have?

[53:21] Ann Sanders: Twelve.

[53:23] David Alpert: Yes, it is 12.

[53:24] Ann Sanders: That's a lot.

[53:25] David Alpert: Oh, yes.

[53:27] Ann Sanders: Yes.

[53:28] David Alpert: Of course, Queen Iduna didn't make it to the coronation party, but did Ann Sanders make it to the coronation party?

[53:34] Ann Sanders: Ann Sanders absolutely made it to the coronation party.

[53:37] David Alpert: Ann Sanders had a quick change after Queen Iduna and got to put on a beautiful blonde wig so as not to be immediately recognized as Queen Iduna and got to dance in that beautiful ballroom sequence.

[53:56] Ann Sanders: And um see those Mickey ears that I just was telling you about with the chandeliers coming on.

[54:01] David Alpert: Yeah.

[54:01] Ann Sanders: Did that character have a name?

[54:06] Ann Sanders: Um, you know what? What I would do was I, well, I'm actually thinking about the number in Fixer Upper. I would just um invert Iduna backwards.

[54:17] Ann Sanders: A nudie. So I would just make her name a nudie. Uh but my favorite in a lot of those scenes was there was one where we'd all come into a circle and then we'd lift up Patty up into the air, uh Anna. Um, and she would look down and just kind of wave out to everybody, and she'd always look down at me every single show and say, Mom. And then they'd put her down and she'd go. Yeah. Funny. You were gone. Vanish. A tea party with Bambi's mom. Okay. And here is your final sorry miss the party Disney edition number 10. Yes. The Festival of Fools takes place on the 6th of January in Paris and where things go topsy turvy. This scene is portrayed in Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, where the title character isn't invited.

What's his name? Quasimoto. Yes, it is Quasimodo. Oh, that's a beautiful show. Oh, that's another one that I got to see in German first. Oh wow. I did it in Berlin first. And um, gorgeous. Well, Anne, you did so well for Sorry I Missed the Party Disney edition. I will be sending you your Olive Garden gift card, and thank you for playing. Oh, will you please join me there? Of course, I'm there for those unlimited breadsticks. Yeah. I mean, is it enough for both of us? They're unlimited. But is it enough?

[55:51] David Alpert: Now let's hear from some of you. And we put on social media on our Instagram page, and the fans have questions for you. So let's get going. Travis would like to know if you have any fun memories from being Belle in the finale of the Rosie O'Donnell show.

[56:11] Ann Sanders: Oh yes, the Rosie O'Donnell show. That was so cool. That you know, Rosie O'Donnell is such um a supporter of Broadway, Broadway Cares, and uh just to invite all of us on af uh the show and to see all of the other shows on there, uh it was really, really special and fun. And so I think maybe getting one of those couchballs that she would always shoot at getting one of those afterwards, and of course just celebrating with everybody that day because uh what a run. What a run she had. And um again, you know, not a lot of um you know, streaming or YouTube and stuff during those days. So to be able to see the the Broadway performers firsthand, it was pretty incredible on her show.

[57:01] David Alpert: I love the Rosie O'Donnell show. I remember watching that finale, and I w saw it as a kid watching TV, and then of course, when after I met you and then I saw it on YouTube, I was like, oh my gosh, it's like so cool.

[57:14] Ann Sanders: Yeah, I just thought it was so cool to see them there and then have the Mama Mia cast across the way, and then the Chicago, you know, cast is really fun, really fun.

[57:24] David Alpert: Heather asks, what's it like backstage during a show? And specifically if there are often shenanigans.

[57:36] Ann Sanders: Yes, I think we talked about some of those already. And um, yeah, did she mention a specific show or no? Just in general. But I, you know, like backstage during a Broadway show. Are you always in your dressing room? Are you walking around? Are you having snacks? What's happening? I think it, you know, it it depends on the show, but you know, you might be going to wigs or to changing your costumes. So then you're able to see a lot of the crew people and um the the um our friends who are in the makeup and hair room. Um but I guess I I'm thinking of Avenue Q because we had all the puppets um backstage and such fantastic puppeteers who um also worked on Johnny and the Sprites, which was a Disney show.

I don't know if you know about that one. And uh so we I you know, those were other characters to me. And so I very often would be talking to like, you know, the little yellow bear and be like, So where are you going to dinner? And Jen Barnhart would answer me, you know, in her little, you know, uh little bad idea bear, you know, voice, I'm gonna get a little Kodama and you know and so um those are probably the the what I think a backstage is because we never went back to our dressing room in Avenue Q, we just stayed on deck and just like played. And I will tell you, having worked with you, your humor is so subtle sometimes that it is hilarious to be backstage with you.

[58:59] Ann Sanders: So Heather, the answer is there's many shenanigans. Craig and Tom have similar questions. I know we talked about this, but what does it mean to you to be an Asian American role model specifically on the Broadway stage?

[59:12] Ann Sanders: Uh such a great question. I think that um, you know, we d you know, when I hear a role model, I'm like, oh like you know, I think that uh the first thing that comes to mind is that um I think we're all learning. And so I certainly with everything going on, I don't ever want to say I know any of the answers, but I love dialoguing and having conversations with people about things. And um I think that you know, if we mess up, you know, fess up and and ask for uh forgiveness and help. And I I think that um we can't be scared to talk about things uh anymore or um or be advocates or proponents for different things. The only thing I can think of is um you know, our you know, our new vice president saying, you know, uh you might be the first, but you know, I don't want to be the last.

You want to make sure that you're not the last person um portraying Belle, you know. Uh and so that that sort of stays with me. And so I think it's just talking and sharing um your ideas about how you're similar to the character rather than how you're different, you know. I think we get into that a lot where it's um we compartmentalize and focus on the breakdowns, and it's like, oh, I think it's the person's life experiences that um dictate what they can bring to the role.

[1:00:38] David Alpert: Thank you for sharing that. That's awesome. Adam and Broadway Media both ask, what was it like being in both Beauty and the Beast and Frozen? Which I know we've kind of talked about, but going from your first Broadway show, you know, as a replacement to then originating in the most recent Disney show. What what was that like, that kind of journey?

[1:00:58] Ann Sanders: Mm-hmm. It was really fun because it felt kind of book-ended, you know, uh for me in that it, you know, that being my first Broadway show, my first introduction into the Broadway community. And i I've mentioned this before, but um I you know, the whole reason that I continued with theater was because of Beauty and the Beast. You know, I I got here to the city, and um, you know, unfortunately, um uh 9-11 happened, and I mentioned that because what Disney did was they um released all of these tickets to the relief workers and to people who were stranded here who couldn't get home. And you know, we did feel kinda silly doing the show after such a horrific event. However, when we came out of the stage door, people would come up to us crying, thanking us for a little bit of respite, uh, you know, uh just an escape for a couple of hours.

And so then um it really that solidified me going into theater because I thought, oh, this has this has a lasting impact on on people. Um so then, you know, to come full circle and and get to do frozen and and to play the mom, you know, is will always be really, really special.

[1:02:17] David Alpert: Yeah. Anna asks, if you could star as another Disney princess, which one would you choose?

[1:02:24] Ann Sanders: Ooh, good one. Excellent name, Anna. Um, you know, I just watched Mulan, and um uh, you know, it's not a musical version of it, but I I really loved it. And then I dusted off the old, you know, reflection, our beautiful Lea Salanga from Allegiance fame. Uh many other fames. And so I don't know. There's maybe something in that. I love that score. I love that movie. I would like to play Mushu with you.

[1:03:02] David Alpert: 100%, yes. It'd be the worst casting idea ever, but you know.

[1:03:06] Ann Sanders: Twiddly. And finally, Nadia wants to know which Disney character should have a cameo in Avenue Q.

[1:03:14] Ann Sanders: I think Mickey should have a scene with the bad idea bears.

[1:03:17] David Alpert: Oh, yeah.

[1:03:18] Ann Sanders: And Trekky Monster.

[1:03:20] David Alpert: Oh, yes. Yes, yes.

[1:03:21] Ann Sanders: I would like to see that scene.

[1:03:23] David Alpert: Yes.

[1:03:23] Ann Sanders: He should just pop out of the window and tell them what to do.

[1:03:26] David Alpert: Yeah.

[1:03:27] Ann Sanders: Yeah. I'd be curious to see Mickey's reaction to their dialogue.

[1:03:31] David Alpert: Yes, there is that. You know, we'll get him little ear, earplugs for his Mickey Democrats.

[1:03:36] Ann Sanders: Yeah, exactly. For some of that dialogue.

[1:03:42] David Alpert: It's time for some tough choices. Let's play Tweedledee or Tweedledum.

[1:03:49] Ann Sanders: And here comes Tweedledee or Tweedledum. I'm gonna give you two options and you let me know which one you prefer. So here we go. Tweedledee or Tweedledum, Tower of Terror or Space Mountain.

[1:03:54] Ann Sanders: Tower of Terror.

[1:04:00] David Alpert: Yes. Again, please look at the Instagram page. There's an amazing photo. Tweedledee or Tweedledum, let it go or be our guest.

[1:04:10] Ann Sanders: Oh a mashup.

[1:04:15] David Alpert: I cheated.

[1:04:17] Ann Sanders: Would that be be our go or let it guest?

[1:04:20] David Alpert: Let it guess.

[1:04:22] Ann Sanders: Let it guess. Can't hold it back anymore. I I just won't jest.

[1:04:28] David Alpert: Yeah.

[1:04:29] Ann Sanders: So okay, so it's a tie. You can't choose.

[1:04:31] David Alpert: That's okay. Don't make me choose Sophie's choice. Tweedledee or Twiddledum, Anna or Elsa.

[1:04:41] Ann Sanders: Again.

[1:04:44] David Alpert: Mother never chooses.

[1:04:46] Ann Sanders: Okay. Fair. You gotta choose this one though.

[1:04:49] David Alpert: Okay. I've given you some, these are tough. I'm challenging you. Tweedledee or Tweedledum, baby Yoda or Mickey Mouse.

[1:04:59] Ann Sanders: Man, well, okay. I feel like Mickey Mouse existed so baby Yoda could be born. And so I'm gonna go with Mickey Mouse.

[1:05:09] David Alpert: If you needed to choose Baby Yoda, I would step in and say, then I'll take Mickey Mouse. We could, you know, we can spread love all around.

[1:05:16] Ann Sanders: Yes.

[1:05:16] David Alpert: No, no, I will. I will say that one. OG. Always OG.

[1:05:36] Ann Sanders: And what's the first thing you want to do the next time you go to the parks?

[1:05:42] Ann Sanders: Uh, I think it's just gonna be run through Main Street. I want to come upon the depper dance, and I want to be in the parade. I want to have my dole whip. And um just any street performers. I just want to be enjoying and walking through and um uh staying there till they kick me out.

[1:06:05] David Alpert: I love that. And we haven't talked about it. You we like dole whips?

[1:06:08] Ann Sanders: Oh, dole whip, dull whip. I didn't realize what it was till that first trip to Disneyland. How would you explain a dole whip to someone? Because I'm asked often and I always kind of struggle.

[1:06:19] Ann Sanders: Yeah, it is a struggle bus. I so it's a pineapple y, um not slushy, but it's almost for like a smoothie, I don't know, consistency. Like it it feels like a very gelato goodness.

[1:06:43] David Alpert: Thank you. But then maybe we should mash together the uh uh the ice cream sandwich, the Mickey ear.

[1:06:51] Ann Sanders: Oh yeah.

[1:06:51] David Alpert: That's my my the ice cream sandwich is my favorite.

[1:06:54] Ann Sanders: Yeah, that's that's hard.

[1:06:55] David Alpert: Yeah, both of those. So the yeah, first thing, one in each hand, the dull whip and then the yeah.

[1:06:59] Ann Sanders: Okay. I want to see that photo.

[1:07:01] David Alpert: I'll take that photo actually.

[1:07:03] Ann Sanders: Yeah, exactly. Yeah, and uh the face that I have on Tower of Terror. That'll be all combined.

[1:07:12] David Alpert: Well, and I'm so thankful that you've joined me for this episode, sharing your love of the Disney movies and your time in Beauty and the Beast and Baby Yoda. This has been so much fun. So thank you so much for joining.

[1:07:21] Ann Sanders: It's my pleasure, and again, really thanks to the community for my list of things to do when I go to Disney World.

[1:07:27] David Alpert: You got it. Well, thank you so much, and we'll see you at the parks.

[1:07:30] Ann Sanders: Yay.