In November of 1997, Twentieth Century Fox released an animated film by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman called Anastasia. It told the story of the sole survivor of the Romanov family who had gone missing after the family’s murder. (Lovely story for an animated film, isn’t it?) Years later a young woman meets up with two men who are trying to gain access to a massive reward if they can prove to the Dowager Empress that they have indeed found her granddaughter. But is she the real Anastasia?
The film had seven songs written by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, the duo behind the Broadway musicals Ragtime and Once Upon a Time in America. With the number of Disney musicals successfully making their way to Broadway, it was only a matter of time before this film would also find its way there. Anastasia, which ran at New York’s Broadhurst Theatre for 808 performances, is now touring and is currently at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Costa Mesa through November 17th
Starring as Anastasia is Lila Coogan. In the role of Dmitry, one of the two con men, is Jake Levy. Vlad, the other con man, is played by Edward Staudenmayer. The Dowager Empress is beautifully portrayed by Joy Franz. Her assistant, Countess Lily, is played by Tari Kelly.
In the film, the ghost of Rasputin was trying to track Anastasia down and kill her. Rather than employ a ghost, the musical has created the character of Gleb, a loyal servant to the Russian government. He is played wonderfully by Jason Michael Evans.
Darko Tresnjak (The Ghosts of Versailles; A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder) directs with choreography by Peggy Hickey. The book was written by Terrence McNally. Flaherty and Ahrens have expanded their songs for the film and added many new ones to make this a fully-fleshed out musical.
For tickets to Anastasia go here.
Main photo: Lila Coogan in “Anastasia.” All photos by Matthew Murphy/Courtesy of the Hollywood Pantages Theatre