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Anastasia Korbal did not just watch her favorite musicals, she lived them.
Once the then-2-year-old learned to work the VCR and DVD players, such classics as "The Wizard of Oz," "The Sound of Music" and "Annie" were on heavy rotation — sometimes ad nauseam to her parents.
Whatever the musical du jour, Anastasia would transform herself into a character from the film — insisting everyone call her by that specific name for a day. One of her favorites was the orphan Molly from "Annie," a Tony Award-winning musical that was made into a 1982 film.
"She told us what parts she was going to play [in the future]," Christine Korbal, Anastasia’s mom, said. "So far, she’s been right. It’s been a self-fulfilling prophecy."
Though only 7, the pint-sized Anastasia possesses enormous determination that has led to the fulfillment of her dreams. Living out one of them, she currently is taking center stage as the rosy-cheeked Molly during the national tour of "Annie," at the Kimmel Center through March 4.
The musical, which began in Chicago Sept. 18 and concludes in Baltimore March 20, spans 21 cities and has — literally — been quite a ride for Anastasia’s family. Her parents and sister Isabella, 3, have accompanied the actor cross-country, seeing everything from the shores of California’s Laguna Beach to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum.
Some sacrifices have been made, including Korbal, a teacher at Cinnaminson Middle School in New Jersey, and husband Ed, a psychiatric counselor, both taking a year’s leave from work.
But you can bet your bottom dollar the close clan from the 2400 block of South Lambert Street is making the most of the situation, even if at times "we’re sharing the space the size of a prison cell," Korbal jokingly said via cell phone from a hotel room in Portland, Ore., last week.
After witnessing the loneliness of other families on the tour, the Korbals are happy they chose to travel together.
"We either all go or nobody goes," Korbal said. "It’s hard for some of [the families] because they’re all separated from the rest of their families, whereas we’re not."
Also, how could the family pass up the opportunity to root for their own Little Miss Sunshine as she illuminates the stage coast to coast?
"She’s very driven, she’s very determined and the most important thing is she loves [performing]," Mom said. "You can’t possibly do what she’s doing at her age unless you really want to."
The youngster already has numerous acting experiences under her belt, but performing, according to her, is a selfless act. "I like that it makes people happy and I like that I get to work with other people," she said.
Anastasia got her first taste of on-stage bliss during summer 2005, playing Gretl in "The Sound of Music," at the Candlelight Dinner Theatre in Ardentown, Del. She was such a hit, people asked for her autograph post-performance.
"She knew how to write her name … but that was about it," Korbal said with a laugh.
The show’s end was devastating to the young actress so her parents found other outlets, including another "Sound of Music" in fall ’05, "Scrooge: The Musical" at South Jersey’s Ritz Theatre also staged during that time and the ’06 production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Candlelight. She reprised her "Music" role last year at the Three Little Bakers Dinner Theater in Wilmington, Del., and has taken part in 10 Christmas shows, recitals and talent competitions.
Anastasia’s entertainment fixation is not shocking to her mom and dad. At 2, she placed on one of her dapper costumes, picked up her ballet slippers, walked to the front door and announced, "I’m ready to dance now."
Abiding her wishes, Anastasia’s parents have placed her in ballet, jazz, tap and vocal lessons. She learned some of these skills at The Dancers Studio, 1516 S. Eighth St.
As if there weren’t enough on her plate, Anastasia also would spend weekends taking ice skating and gymnastics lessons since she enjoys both activities.
But Korbal said her child — even during her busy touring schedule — still has the chance to be a 7-year-old.
"If she didn’t have time to be a kid with all of this, I probably would not let her do it," she said.
Anastasia’s parents might provide the stepping stones to fulfill their daughter’s dreams, but Anastasia supplies the effort. November ’05, Korbal heard about the "Annie" casting call for girls age 6 to 14 to play orphans in the timeless classic about the lovable redhead in search of her parents. However, Anastasia was only 5 at the time.
Knowing her little girl was perfect for the part, Korbal e-mailed the production company, who permitted Anastasia to audition. April ’06, the production company expressed interest in the recently turned 6-year-old, who auditioned in New York with a few hundred youngsters. For seven hours, parents weren’t kept in the loop as the children attempted to sing and dance their way to a final callback in July. The South Philly girl received one.
While vacationing in Ocean City, N.J., that summer, Ed Korbal checked his voice mail. Immediately returning a call to the show’s casting director, the family heard the good news.
"I was just shocked," the proud mother said. "I knew she could do it, but the fact that she made it that far at her age, it was a little shocking."
Wasting no time, rehearsals at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center began Sept. 11 and lasted only a week. The family then packed their bags and headed to Chicago for the premiere.
While Korbal was on edge during the whole show, Anastasia demonstrated no nervousness. The fact she’s "6 years old and has no fear of performing for a couple thousand people after rehearsing for only a week, I think most adults would be afraid," Korbal said.
The only thing that upsets the little star is when she has the night off. Comments like "when is the next show?" and "what do you mean rehearsal is canceled?" are all too common.
In December, while the tour was in New York, Anastasia made her first TV appearance with the rest of the "Annie" cast on "Good Morning America."
While she is experiencing many firsts, her parents make sure she’s hitting the books. Anastasia had a tutor for the first half of the tour, but now her parents are taking over the task. Before the tour, Anastasia attended her mother’s school.
Behind the scenes, the "orphans" have become teachers themselves, instructing each other on how to perform sign language, knit and play cards.
While it might not be a hard-knock life, homesickness is setting in. Anastasia said she misses Philly, but likes touring too much to give it up. She can’t wait to perform on her home turf for her family and six of her school friends.
"I miss how Philadelphia is alive all the time," Korbal said. "You can always go to Melrose [Diner]. We’ve been in some cities … where the city just dies at five o’clock."
The tour might end this month, but the youngster’s future looks alive and well. "I want to be a vet, but I might be an actor," Anastasia said.
And her parents are happy to be along for the entertaining ride.
"Seeing we have a child who gets mad when there’s no show, I think we’re in it for a while," Korbal said.
