Elena Shaddow and Ramin Karimloo Star in Reading of ANASTASIA Musical in NYC

A staged reading of the new musical version of ANASTASIA -- featuring book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens -- was held New York City last week on June 12. Tony winner Darko Tresnjak directed the invite-only presentation, along with musical director Tom Murray. Tresnjak will take the show to Hartford next year.

Now, the New York Post reveals that THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY's Elena Shaddow played the leading role of 'Anna' in the workshop, opposite LES MISERABLES' Ramin Karimloo as 'Dimitri', her love interest.

Reps from Shubert, Nederlander, Jujamcyn were also in attendance at the reading.

From the twilight of the Russian monarchy to Jazz Age Paris in the 1920s, the new musical ANASTASIA is the romantic and rousing story of one brave young woman attempting to discover the mystery of her past while finding a place for herself in the rapidly changing world of a new century. With a rich and sweeping musical score that evokes the opulence of Russian aristocracy and the energy of Paris street life, Anastasia is the ultimate journey of a woman caught between the pull of the past and the promise of the future.

In addition to Ragtime, for which they both received Tony Awards, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens have written several of Broadway's most popular musicals, including Once on This Island, Seussical, My Favorite Year, and most recently, Rocky. The songwriting team was nominated for the Academy Award for "Journey to the Past" from the film Anastasia. The new musical ANASTASIA is inspired by the 1956 and 1997 Twentieth Century Fox Motion Pictures.

Four-time Tony Award-winner Terrence McNally, wrote the musical's book. His many credits include Love! Valour! Compassion!, Master Class, and most recently, It's Only a Play and Mothers and Sons, as well as the books for the musicals Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Full Monty, and now on Broadway, The Visit.

The film featured the voices of Angela Lansbury, Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Christopher Lloyd, Hank Azaria, and Bernadette Peters. It premiered in the United States on November 21, 1997, and was nominated for two Oscars for Best Original Song ("Journey to the Past") and Best Original Musical or Comedy Score.