Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical ANASTASIA is on a journey to Los Angeles at last!
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, a lush new score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) with direction by Tony Award® winner Darko Tresnjak.
Unlike Broadway’s Beauty And The Beast, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, and Aladdin, stage adaptations that remained as kids-targeted as the animated films that inspired them, Anastasia The Musical is one best appreciated by the fully grown. As sumptuous as it is romantic, and gorgeously sung to boot, Anastasia will tug at your heartstrings and thrills your senses in equal measure.
Still, there is enough here that will entertain theatre fans, but be warned, there are no fuzzy anthropomorphic animals or sorcerers with magic like the animated film, so the kiddies might get bored. For the older crowd there's enough dazzle that the mystery of Anastasia will still enchant.
If you are looking for a musical with voices to thrill you and music to transport you, “Anastasia” at the Pantages is not it. If you are looking for a musical with a story that resonates, inspires, educates, again this one isn’t it.
However, this musical’s projection designs are stunningly gorgeous and ingenious enough to induce the gasps and sighs we might otherwise experience from great singing or transportive storytelling. Add in the stunning costuming, lighting and staging, and the show nears must-see status.
Director Darko Tresnjak seems to have gotten what he wanted out of the material, which lies in a sort of limbo between source material and alterations, and between broad comedy and historical drama. In theory, the musical has every element of a successful show: A talented and abundant cast of more than two dozen actors; Linda Cho’s gorgeous Tony-winning period costumes, Peggy Hickey’s choreography, neatly shifting gears from elegant ballroom dancing to the Swan Lake ballet to excessively slapstick maneuvers; Aaron Rhyne’s brilliantly beautiful projections (which, situated behind the 3-D proscenium set nonetheless look like wallpaper on my laptop); and a pre-existing property with a built-in audience.
In execution, however, the book’s odd tonal shifts and shoulder-shrugging score keep this from being a great musical. It’s not a flop but I didn’t flip.
A brilliant look at the fact based story of the Romanov dynasty of Russia and whether Grand Duchess Anastasia survived the execution of the family by the Bolsheviks in 1917. Cast headed by Lila Coogan are superb and the projection design by Aaron Rhyne is amazing putting you right in the middle of St. Petersburg and Paris.
The trouble here is this is such a throwback to the days when such traditional escapist fare, featuring production numbers about the rain in Spain and real good clambakes, ruled the world of musical theatre. Aside from generally somnambulant performances, the most glaring problem with this big “new” musical is the source material. Although the once-groundbreaking classic warhorses created by Rodgers and Hammerstein and Jerry Herman still work as nostalgia, today we need more. Even if amphetamines were pumped into the ventilation system of the Pantages’ basement dressing rooms before each show to give the cast a much-needed boost of energy, despite its obvious pedigree or how beautifully mounted and produced this show may be, it’s still a tad stodgy and ultimately a letdown.
If you, like me, grew up on the 1997 animated film version of Anastasia, you probably remember the creepy and scary Rasputin, and the titular heroine eventually defeating him by destroying a magical glass vial. While much of the plot, and all of the memorable songs, are the same in the musical version that opened last night at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, Rasputin and all of the supernatural elements have been removed. But despite those differences, this charming production evokes strong feelings of nostalgia, telling a touching tale of a traumatized princess attempting to find her way back to herself.
To sum-up the overall experience, I can honestly say that just about every presentation that the Pantages offers us is very worthwhile, and this one is no exception. While I’m not exactly sure that the true life saga of Anastasia makes for the best of musicals, I still highly recommend that, for all of the above reasons, you check it out while you have this opportunity. I’m confident that you will enjoy this journey to the past.
Their songs are serviceable, if not memorable, but even the best song in the world can be exasperating if it doesn’t seem to be taking the story anywhere, and it’s hard not to suspect some of these of stalling.
Darko Tresnjak has deftly directed and keeps the action flowing smoothly through the many scenes. He is aided tremendously by the amazing projection design created by Aaron Rhyne...The strong cast fits their roles like a perfectly tailored glove...Anastasia is a welcome addition to the ever growing list of film to stage adaptations. This one is a keeper.
I don’t know how many more adjectives I could use to describe the show – lush, magnificent, mesmerizing, sensational, perfection, romantic, charming, memorable, phenomenal. Get the picture? You do NOT want to miss this show! Please do yourself a favor and get your tickets NOW!!!
Unlike Broadway’s Beauty And The Beast, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, and Aladdin, stage adaptations that remained as kids-targeted as the animated films that inspired them, Anastasia The Musical is one best appreciated by the fully grown. As sumptuous as it is romantic, and gorgeously sung to boot, Anastasia will tug at your heartstrings and thrills your senses in equal measure.
Still, there is enough here that will entertain theatre fans, but be warned, there are no fuzzy anthropomorphic animals or sorcerers with magic like the animated film, so the kiddies might get bored. For the older crowd there's enough dazzle that the mystery of Anastasia will still enchant.
If you are looking for a musical with voices to thrill you and music to transport you, “Anastasia” at the Pantages is not it. If you are looking for a musical with a story that resonates, inspires, educates, again this one isn’t it.
However, this musical’s projection designs are stunningly gorgeous and ingenious enough to induce the gasps and sighs we might otherwise experience from great singing or transportive storytelling. Add in the stunning costuming, lighting and staging, and the show nears must-see status.
Director Darko Tresnjak seems to have gotten what he wanted out of the material, which lies in a sort of limbo between source material and alterations, and between broad comedy and historical drama. In theory, the musical has every element of a successful show: A talented and abundant cast of more than two dozen actors; Linda Cho’s gorgeous Tony-winning period costumes, Peggy Hickey’s choreography, neatly shifting gears from elegant ballroom dancing to the Swan Lake ballet to excessively slapstick maneuvers; Aaron Rhyne’s brilliantly beautiful projections (which, situated behind the 3-D proscenium set nonetheless look like wallpaper on my laptop); and a pre-existing property with a built-in audience.
In execution, however, the book’s odd tonal shifts and shoulder-shrugging score keep this from being a great musical. It’s not a flop but I didn’t flip.
A brilliant look at the fact based story of the Romanov dynasty of Russia and whether Grand Duchess Anastasia survived the execution of the family by the Bolsheviks in 1917. Cast headed by Lila Coogan are superb and the projection design by Aaron Rhyne is amazing putting you right in the middle of St. Petersburg and Paris.
The trouble here is this is such a throwback to the days when such traditional escapist fare, featuring production numbers about the rain in Spain and real good clambakes, ruled the world of musical theatre. Aside from generally somnambulant performances, the most glaring problem with this big “new” musical is the source material. Although the once-groundbreaking classic warhorses created by Rodgers and Hammerstein and Jerry Herman still work as nostalgia, today we need more. Even if amphetamines were pumped into the ventilation system of the Pantages’ basement dressing rooms before each show to give the cast a much-needed boost of energy, despite its obvious pedigree or how beautifully mounted and produced this show may be, it’s still a tad stodgy and ultimately a letdown.
If you, like me, grew up on the 1997 animated film version of Anastasia, you probably remember the creepy and scary Rasputin, and the titular heroine eventually defeating him by destroying a magical glass vial. While much of the plot, and all of the memorable songs, are the same in the musical version that opened last night at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, Rasputin and all of the supernatural elements have been removed. But despite those differences, this charming production evokes strong feelings of nostalgia, telling a touching tale of a traumatized princess attempting to find her way back to herself.
To sum-up the overall experience, I can honestly say that just about every presentation that the Pantages offers us is very worthwhile, and this one is no exception. While I’m not exactly sure that the true life saga of Anastasia makes for the best of musicals, I still highly recommend that, for all of the above reasons, you check it out while you have this opportunity. I’m confident that you will enjoy this journey to the past.
Their songs are serviceable, if not memorable, but even the best song in the world can be exasperating if it doesn’t seem to be taking the story anywhere, and it’s hard not to suspect some of these of stalling.
Darko Tresnjak has deftly directed and keeps the action flowing smoothly through the many scenes. He is aided tremendously by the amazing projection design created by Aaron Rhyne...The strong cast fits their roles like a perfectly tailored glove...Anastasia is a welcome addition to the ever growing list of film to stage adaptations. This one is a keeper.
I don’t know how many more adjectives I could use to describe the show – lush, magnificent, mesmerizing, sensational, perfection, romantic, charming, memorable, phenomenal. Get the picture? You do NOT want to miss this show! Please do yourself a favor and get your tickets NOW!!!
