By Amanda VanNostrand.
Philadelphians have the opportunity to ‘Journey to the Past’ and view Anastasia between now and April 14th at the Kimmel Center’s Academy of Music. Inspired by the 1997 Twentieth Century Fox Motion Picture, this musical presents many movie favorites with its own spin and some additional tunes. Although not entirely based on historical facts, it is loosely based on them, and this musical brings viewers back to 1906, 1917, & 1927 St. Petersburg, Russia and 1927 Paris, France. The journey is a great one.
Before attending the show, here is some history: the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia was the daughter of Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna and Tsar Nicolas II. After the execution of the Romanovs and the eventual discovery of her family’s remains, rumors circulated about the possibility that the Grand Duchess Anastasia survived the murder of her family. Although remains were later discovered and sadly dashed any hopes of her survival, the movie and several books have been written, telling a much happier alternate reality.
Anastasia is the story of Anya, a lonely young woman who has recently left the hospital, having suffered from amnesia. Anya meets two men – Dmitri and Vlad – who are searching for someone to act as the Grand Duchess Anastasia, believed to be alive, in order for them to collect reward money from the Dowager Empress, who is looking for Anastasia while she finishes her life out in Paris. As all of this takes place, Communist Russia is fearful that rumors of Anastasia’s survival are true, and are doing everything in their power to capture her and finish their job. Through incredible dancing, singing, and storytelling, this show brings a love story full of hope and healing.
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
The music (Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens) is a key feature of Anastasia, containing some songs from the movie while mixing in some new ones as well. Overall a pleasant, entertaining score and more importantly this show holds a cast that is up to the challenge of presenting the music. The main heroes of Anastasia are played by Lila Coogan as Anya and Stephen Brower as Dmitry, and the two have incredible voices. They are a pleasure to watch and bring the chemistry needed to the stage. Additional favorites are sure to be Tari Kelly as Countess Lily and Edward Staudenmayer as Vlad. These characters bring plenty of humor to this bitter-sweet show, and their performance of “The Countess and the Common Man” will surely gain votes as an audience favorite. To coincide with the traditional singing and dancing brought forth in most musicals, there is one additional scene that takes place at the Paris Ballet, combining Swan Lake ballerinas with the voices of many of the main cast members. Although there is a lot happening on the stage at once during this scene, it is marvelously done and will likely be an additional favorite.
Anastasia is a delight. The story is a sad one but brings about the happy ending that should be found, despite its contradiction to reality. To be enjoyed by adults and children alike, this musical is one to see this spring.