Angela Lansbury, Aaron Lazar to Star in Anastasia Stage Reading

[Auggie27]

I do like those nice songs. Just listened to "Journey to the Past" last week, musically and lyrically one of the best "I Want" songs since a certain mermaid wanted to join life on dry land. If the show could be de-animated, made slightly darker and more real (despite the known truth about the Czar's daughter these days), it could be quite compelling. One of the best stories ever, and if it's not entirely true, it's a terrific fable. It has a plot stolen for many a soap, deservedly.

[bjh2114]

Gah! So exciting! I want this to be here now!

[InTheHeights2]

Will this be a closed-door event?

[Jonwo]

I haven't seen the film in a long time but I think it would make a great stage musical, it would have to be expanded and reworked especialy the characters of Rasputin and Bartok.

[beautywickedlover]

I think Anneliese van der Pol would be a great Anastasia.

[darquegk]

Bartok the bat can be cut rather easily.

A revamped Rasputin would be a decent villain if they made him a little less Ursula and a little more, well, Rasputin.

[TheLadyoftheWood]

Well looks like my adaptation is going in the trash now.

[ILuv2shop531]

I think Aaron Tveit would make a great Demitri and definitely agree about Laura!

What about Raul Esparza as Rasputin? Or Patrick Page?

[GlindatheGood22]

I'm undecided. As a Romanov lover/snob I can't help feeling that the movies and the franchise that capitalized on the possibility of survivors are a little disrespectful, especially now that it has been proven that no one survived. On the other hand, it's a great score, and as a stand-alone piece I am excited to see how it turns out.

[JohnyBroadway]

I think it's weird that Cornish college of the arts in Seattle presented an illegal production of the show, I guess it was a senior thesis project. Where does that fall on the legal scale?

[sephyr]

I LOVE the movie so this is awesome. So many good songs!!! I can't wait to see how they adapt it for stage.

And I'm sorry but Bartok is one of the best things about the movie. Maybe they could make him a human minion or something but brought the comedy.

Also, I think Anneliese Van Der Pol would make a good Anastasia too. She's wonderful.

[missthemountains]

As much as I love "Once Upon A December" I would rather them just revive the original drama buy Guy Bolton. When done effectively, can be very chilling. I remember when I saw it my first time, the ending left me mindf***d

[bwayrose7]

I grew up absolutely loving this movie, so I couldn't me more thrilled that they're bringing it to the stage. Also, saw this photoset online and I've got to say, this would be pretty awesome casting.
Anya and Dmitri?

[Will42]

I don�t know if this info is 100% legit, but it looks like Aaron Tveit is indeed going to read for the part of Dimitri. If it�s true, I�m slightly confused since who the hell Aaron Lazar is gonna read for then? I thought he was set to play Dimitri, but maybe he�s set to portrait Rasputin instead (an inspiring choice if true, although I would prefer if Rasputin was not involved in the stage production at all).
�It has been exclusively confirmed to ATF that Aaron Tveit will take on the role of Dimitri in the upcoming 29-hour reading of Anastasia � A New Musical. Loosely based on the 1997 motion picture from Fox Animation Studios, the musical-drama borrows from the urban legend that Nicholas II�s youngest daughter, Anastasia, survived the execution of her Russian royal family.
The new musical will feature songs from the film, potentially including the Oscar-nominated �Journey to the Past.� Fifteen original songs written for the stage production are being composed by creative team Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.
Terrence McNally � whom Aaron worked with on Catch Me If You Can � is writing the libretto.
As previously announced on BroadwayWorld.com, Angela Lansbury will reprise her role as the Dowager Empress Marie from the film. Aaron Lazar is also attached to the reading. There�s no word yet on who will play the title character, but an announcement can be expected soon.
The private reading will take place on July 27th�.

http://aarontveit.net/news/atf-exclusive-aaron-tveit-to-play-dimitri-in-29-hour-reading-of-anastasia

[sueb1863]

'Loosely based'? That makes me think they'll be dropping stuff like Bartok and either extensively rewriting Rasputin or taking him out entirely. There might not be much left of the movie except for the core plot and a few songs. Guess we'll see! I really don't think the story needs the whole Rasputin angle, they can do better.

[sondheimboy2]

Yes, get rid of Rasputin. Blaming the death of the Russian Royal Family on him is like blaming the American Civil War on evil elves.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Wait, so when is this happening and who will be playing/reading Anastasia? I'm so happy this is finally happening! I love Ahrens and Flaherty's work (talk about diversity: SEUSSICAL, MY FAVORITE YEAR, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, RAGTIME, ROCKY?), and I'm so in love with the film.

[emida]

This sounds like a dream project! I want it to happen like now.

I agree about Sierra and Laura. I like Aaron Lazar, but like some of you mentionned, I would also much prefer Colin Donnell for Dimitri. There's just something about him... Sean Palmer could also be good I think, but Colin is my #1 choice for this.

How fun would it be to see Laura and Colin back together for this project? They were great together in Anything Goes!

[sueb1863]

Yeah, I don't think this story needs any supernatural elements at all. Having magic involved is a Disney trope, I guess they thought the movie had to have magic because kids expected it in a cartoon. But the story of Anastasia is not a fairy tale, and I think they could create plenty of tension with going down the well-worn 'magic' road. The Czar had plenty of non-supernatural enemies who wanted him and his family dead, just make the villain one of them.

[Fan123]

The show may well work best without the supernatural subplot, but I for one would like to see the 'Nightmare' dream sequence and music onstage. (Has there been any mention of David Newman's score music being used in the show?) I guess that scene wouldn't make sense without Rasputin's minions, unless they reworked it as some kind of subconsciously-remembered flashback nightmare type thing for Anya.

[sueb1863]

I think they could probably swing a nightmare scene just as a straight nightmare. The ghosts could be included too because they aren't 'magic' exactly. I'm thinking more of Zombie Rasputin and stuff like that, that the story doesn't need and probably won't work on stage anyway.

[emlodik]

My first thought exactly! This Rasputin will NEVER work on stage. Hell, it didn't work in the movie either!

[NJBway]

who will play sophie if this goes 2 bway im first in line for those auditions anastasia is what got me into theater