Max von Essen Will Take Over as 'Gleb' in ANASTASIA This December

The producers of Anastasia announced that Tony Award nominee Max von Essen to return to Broadway to play "Gleb" in the hit Broadway musical Anastasia on December 5, 2017. Von Essen to take over for original company member Ramin Karimloo.

The new musical, Anastasia, opened on Broadway on April 24, 2017 at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street), produced by Stage Entertainment, Bill Taylor (Sister Act, Rocky), Tom Kirdahy (It's Only A Play, The Visit) and Hunter Arnold (Kinky Boots, Spring Awakening). The company is also led by Christy Altomare, Derek Klena, John Bolton, Caroline O'Connor and Mary Beth Peil.

ANASTASIA features a book by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally, a lush, new score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics), and direction by Tony Award-winning director Darko Tresnjak.

From the Tony Award-winning creators of the Broadway classic RAGTIME, and inspired by the beloved films, Anastasia is the new Broadway musical that's "one of the most gorgeous shows in years!" (New York Observer). This dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

Max von Essen recently starred on Broadway in An American in Paris as Henri Baurel, a role which earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor. He previously appeared in the revival of Evita as Agustin Magaldi, the first revival of Les Miserables as Enjolras and many more.

ANASTASIA has played to sold out crowds on Broadway since opening in April 2017, in addition to garnering multiple Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards and nominations.

The original Broadway cast recording is available at BroadwayRecords.com, Amazon.com and iTunes. The 75- minute album includes the Academy Award nominated favorite "Journey to the Past" alongside new numbers from the show such as Christy Altomare's haunting "In My Dreams," Ramin Karimloo's passionate "Still" and Derek Klena's heart-racing "My Petersburg."

The cast also includes Zach Adkins, Alex Aquilino, Sissy Bell, Lauren Blackman, Kathryn Boswell, Kyle Brown, Kristen Smith Davis, Janet Dickinson, Constantine Germanacos, Wes Hart, Ian Knauer, Ken Krugman, Dustin Layton, Julia Morgan, Shina Ann Morris, Kevin Munhall, James A. Pierce III, Molly Rushing, Nicole Scimeca, Jennifer Smith and Lyrica Woodruff.

The creative team includes Peggy Hickey (Choreography), Alexander Dodge (Set Design), Linda Cho (Costume Design), Donald Holder (Lighting Design), Peter Hylenski (Sound Design), Aaron Rhyne (Projection Design), Charles G. LaPointe (Hair/Wig Design), Joe Dulude II (Makeup Design), Tom Murray (Music Supervision & Direction), Doug Besterman (Orchestrations), David Chase (Dance Arranger), casting by Telsey + Company/Craig Burns, CSA. The stage production was originally commissioned by Dmitry Bogachev. Eric Cornell (Rocky, Small Mouth Sounds) serves as Executive Producer.

ANASTASIA is produced by Stage Entertainment, Bill Taylor (Sister Act, Rocky), Tom Kirdahy (It's Only A Play, The Visit) and Hunter Arnold (Kinky Boots, Spring Awakening), 50 Church Street Productions, The Shubert Organization, Elizabeth Dewberry & Ali Ahmet Kocabiyik, Carl Daikeler, Van Dean/Stephanie Rosenberg, Warner/Chappell Music, 42nd.Club/Phil Kenny, Judith Ann Abrams Productions, Broadway Asia/Umeda Arts Theater, Mark Lee & Ed Filipowski, Harriet Newman Leve, Peter May, David Mirvish, Sandi Moran, Seoul Broadcasting System, Sara Beth Zivitz, Michael Stotts, LD Entertainment/Sally Cade Holmes, Jay Alix & Una Jackman/BlumeGreenspan, Carolyn and Marc Seriff/Bruno Wang, and Silva Theatrical Group/Adam Zell in association with Hartford Stage.

Max von Essen starred in An American in Paris on Broadway as Henri Baurel, a role which earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor. He previously appeared in the revival of Evita as Agustin Magaldi, the first revival of Les Mise?rables as Enjolras, Dance of the Vampires as Alfred, the closing company of the original Les Mise?rables, and the first revival of Jesus Christ Superstar. Other New York credits include The Mint Theater's production of Yours Unfaithfully, The Dreyfus Affair at BAM, Maury Yeston's Death Takes a Holiday at the Roundabout Theatre Company, The Transport Group's revival of Michael John LaChiusa's Hello Again (Drama League Award), Jerry Springer: The Opera at Carnegie Hall, and Finian's Rainbow at the Irish Repertory Theatre. He led the first national tour of Xanadu as Sonny Malone, appeared as Mary Sunshine in the national tour of Chicago, played Tony in West Side Story throughout Europe and performed as a back-up singer for the legendary Liza Minnelli. Television and film credits include "Law & Order: SVU", "Elementary", "Boardwalk Empire", "The Good Wife", "Royal Pains", "Gossip Girl", The Beautiful Life, The Intern, Sex and the City 2, Seven Lovers and the short film Blonde. He was also a regular on the hit web series, "Submissions Only". Mr. von Essen's recordings include An American In Paris (Grammy Nomination), Evita, Death Takes a Holiday, The Broadway Tenors, Love Songs of Andrew Lloyd Weber, and Finian's Rainbow. Find Max on Twitter and Instagram as @maxizpad.