Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical Anastasia comes to Broadway.
From the Tony Award-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, 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.
Anastasia features a book by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally and a lush, new score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics). Tony Award-winning director Darko Tresnjak directs.
It could be observed in terms of the physical production that nothing succeeds like excess. The drop dead gorgeous costumes are by Linda Cho. It is a good thing that the Russian court ensemble featured in the opening of the musical are brought back multiple times in ghostly re-enactments because we needed more than one look at them. This excellent ensemble variously deployed as members of the Ballet Russe, White Russian society and revolutionary thugs execute choreography by Peggy Hickey that is always mood and period appropriate. Alexander Dodge's set creates a multi-purpose gracious framing for extensive projections by Aaron Rhyne. But here once again neither a subtle nor consistent aesthetic applies. Some of the visuals are alluringly abstract while others are hyper realistic. Acres of saturated red backdrop places us in the revolution, in case we had any doubt. Snow falls and stars twinkle and flowers bloom in the eventual spring so copiously it is as though we have detoured to Oz. In aural complement, it often feels as though the show is scored like a film, such as when a chorus helpfully underpins a tense moment with a drawn gun.
In its yearlong journey from Hartford to Broadway, 'Anastasia' has found itself. When this sweet-natured musical of self-discovery premiered a year ago at Hartford Stage, it was just as lush and romantic, but underneath those gorgeous trappings it seemed uneven, insincere, unsure of itself. At the Broadhurst Theatre, where it opened Monday night, the show is now fluid, smooth and clear-headed. 'Anastasia' has not fundamentally changed. But dozens of small fixes have made it a much sharper show. Had the Hartford Stage version hurried to Broadway sooner without these tweaks - or heaven forbid, had not tried out in Hartford at all - the show's stylistic inconsistencies would have doomed it. It speaks and sings now with a stronger voice.
2016 | Regional (US) |
Hartford Stage World Premiere Production Regional (US) |
2017 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2018 | US Tour |
US Tour US Tour |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Christy Altomare |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical | Terrence McNally |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical | Linda Cho |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Mary Beth Peil |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | Stephen Flaherty |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Musical | Anastasia |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Doug Besterman |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Projection Design | Aaron Rhyne |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical | Peter Hylenski |
2017 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Caroline O'Connor |
2017 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Broadway of Off-Broadway Musical | Anastasia |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Christy Altomare |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Terrence McNally |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) | Linda Cho |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Darko Tresnjak |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | John Bolton |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Caroline O'Connor |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Mary Beth Peil |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) | Donald Holder |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Anastasia |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Stephen Flaherty |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Doug Besterman |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Projection Design (Play or Musical) | Aaron Rhyne |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Set Design (Play or Musical) | Alexander Dodge |
2017 | Theatre World Awards | Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance | Christy Altomare |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Musical | Linda Cho |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical | Mary Beth Peil |
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