By Kameron Going
MSU’s Wharton Center in East Lansing is currently playing host to Broadway smash hit Anastasia. The musical, written by Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music), with a book by Terrence McNally, is based on the historical events surrounding the last Romanov Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, and his family, the monarchy’s overthrow in 1917 during the Bolshevik Revolution and subsequent murder of the royal family, and the persistent rumors following these events of the survival of the Tsar’s youngest daughter, the Grand Duchess Anastasia. More directly, the show is based on the Twentieth Century Fox animated film of the same name, for which Ahrens and Flaherty also wrote music and lyrics. As a fan of both the animated film and Ahrens and Flaherty’s work in general, this was a must-see for me, and the musical’s sweeping narrative and beautiful music are all I could have asked for.
Following the overthrow of Tsar Nicholas II by the Boshevik’s, the population of former imperial capital St. Petersburg (now called Leningrad) struggles to survive under the ever-watchful eye of the communist revolutionaries. Amid rumors of the survival of the Tsar’s youngest daughter, Anastasia, conmen Dmitry (Stephen Brower) and Vlad (Edward Staudenmayer) hatch a scheme to train a girl to impersonate the Grand Duchess in order to nab the reward being offered by her grandmother, the Dowager Empress (Joy Franz), who is living in exile in Paris. When they stumble on beautiful and fiesty street sweeper Anya (Lila Coogan), who remembers nothing of her early years, including who she really is, they begin to suspect that she may actually be the missing princess. Anya simply wants to discover who she is, but all she has to go on are dreams and a faint memory of someone waiting for her in Paris. Watching it all is communist leader Gleb (Jason Michael Evans), whose desire to squash the rumors of Anastasia’s survival is complicated by his fascination with Anya. Vlad, Dmitry, and Anya flee Russia to make the case to the Dowager Empress, but Gleb is close behind, with orders to finish off the Romanov line once and for all.
Changes to the story and script from the original film move the story away from the mysticism of villainous magician Rasputin to the historical and very real struggles of communist Russia. With more attention paid to historical realities, the stage show serves up a more grounded, human – if slightly less magical – story. The success of the narrative revolves around Coogan’s charismatic portrayal of the brash and often impetuous Anya. Her consistent and moving characterization of the orphaned street sweeper and possible princess, and her masterful delivery of the demanding musical score anchor the story. Her moving performance of fan-favorite ballad “Journey to the Past” is a perfect and powerful ending to the first act. Brower’s naïve and optimistic Dmitry connects with Anya in a very real way, allowing for both humorous and touching moments that feel genuine. This connection is particularly apparent in the beautiful new duet “In a Crowd of Thousands.” Staudenmayer gives a larger-than-life performance as Dmitry’s partner Vlad, and his onstage chemistry with the wonderful Tari Kelly, who plays the boisterous Countess Lily, Vlad’s former lover and lady-in-waiting to the Dowager Empress, is nothing short of astounding. Their duet “The Countess and the Common Man” is the humorous high point of the show. The Dowager herself, played by stage veteran Franz, is a solid and powerful presence. I didn’t resonate with the connection between Evans’ Gleb and Anya, and wanted more.
The show’s ensemble is impressive throughout, and the music is demanding. Tight, full-chord harmonies abound and this ensemble rises to the challenge admirably. Stand-outs include the many actors who portray the slain royal family throughout the show and Michael McCorry Rose who portrays Count Ipolitov, an ill-fated former aristocrat fleeing Russia at the same time as our leading trio. His solo during the moving “Stay, I Pray You,” the show’s “Anatevka” moment, gives the audience a glimpse into the pain felt by those who were forced to abandon the homeland they loved. The squad of ballet-dancers who perform a representation Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake lead an impressive dancing ensemble as well.
The set and lighting design (Alexander Dodge, Donald Holder) are extraordinary and beautiful, but the real stand-out in terms of production is the projection design by Aaron Rhyne. The projected backdrop and windows of the show are dynamic, realistic, and absolutely gorgeous. The projection integrates seamlessly with the story and the many moving set pieces to create a fully realized world for the characters to move in, giving an immense sense of scale in a relatively small space. Though the scenic movement occasionally felt stiff or awkward, director Darko Tresnjak has created a piece where, although the technical aspects of the production are exceedingly complex, they serve to enhance the emotional core of the story and the audience’s ability to connect to it rather than distracting from it.
Although Anastasia is fantastical, the theme of searching for and discovering one’s true self is universally relatable. Anya’s search for her identity and her family is poignant and director’s vision is clear. The lesson we take from this story is perhaps best stated by the Dowager Empress to a distraught and confused Anya, “You will never be who you truly are unless you accept yourself.” With its relevance and delightful spectacle Anastasia, at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, is a perfect show for young people and adults.
Wharton Center for Performing Arts presents Anastasia. Book by Terrance McNally, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty.
Wharton Center for Performing Arts, 750 E Shaw Ln, East Lansing, MI 48824
January 16-20, 2019 7:30 PM, Saturday matinee 2:00 PM, Sunday matinee 1:00 PM
Tickets: general public $39.50-99.50, youth tickets $25.50, student ticket prices also available
Contact: 517-432-2000 or toll-free at 1-800-WHARTON (1-800-942-7866), wharton@msu.edu
Wharton Center for Performing Arts Facebook Page
Anastasia – The Musical Facebook Event
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