By Cheryl Duncan | Editor
cduncan@crossville-chronicle.com
A sense of belonging. A path to finding oneself.
That’s what friends are for.
In the Cumberland County Playhouse’s “Anastasia: The Musical,” a lost young woman finds herself while giving two newfound friends pause to reflect on themselves and discover who they are, too.
Inspired by the 1997 animated film, the musical is based on the true-life events of the 1917 Russian Revolution that ended the three-century reign of the imperial Romanov dynasty. Anastasia was the youngest of Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra’s four daughters, and for decades some believed she alone had escaped the family’s brutal execution at the hands of Bolshevik troops.
Director Bryce McDonald does a sensational job of showing the opulence of the Romanovs’ grand Russia transposed against St. Petersburg’s bleak transformation to a revolutionary Leningrad even before the curtain rises. An innocuous curtain displaying the name of the musical becomes a star-studded opening card as the lights are lowered.
There, the Playhouse Mainstage is transformed into the magnificent palace ballroom. That’s where we find a young Anastasia (Rayna Noga/Lydia Sias) saddened over the imminent departure of her grandmother, the Dowager Empress Maria, portrayed resplendently by Playhouse veteran Patty Payne. The two share an intimate moment during which the Grand Duchess presents the youngster with a music box that plays the hauntingly beautiful theme song “Once Upon a December.”
The Tsar and Tsarina (Walker Degerness and Caitlin Schaub), with their four daughters and Alexei the young Romanov heir, make their appearance for a ball, where the family gleefully dances with the ensemble cast.
The spectacular lighting crew, however, gives the audience the foreshadowing that the family’s joy is short-lived. Indeed, things happen in quick succession. The Romanov dynasty comes to a grisly end, and the grandeur of their Russia is exchanged for one of war and poverty.
That’s when we’re introduced to Vlad, a crafty former count — or was he? No one could have brought Vlad — “the biggest faker of them all” — to life as easily as the Playhouse’s multi-talented Jason Ross, whose comedic chops are on full display as he dances and sings his way through the streets of Leningrad where he meets a lovely blonde street sweeper who says her name is Anya (Harli Cooper).
“I’m running to someone,” the young woman confides. “I don’t know who they are, but I know they’re waiting for me in Paris.”
That’s the home of the Dowager Empress Maria, who believes her beloved Anastasia may have survived the slaughter.
Vlad and Dmitri (Riley Wesson), his literal partner in crime, are aware of the Dowager Empress’ belief, and it’s at the heart of their planned grift: To find a candidate who can convince Grandmother — and, of course, collect a hefty reward.
Could this young waif who remembers nothing of her past be the answer to their prayers?
Cooper and Wesson’s performances are the perfect complement to one another, as Cooper portrays the feisty Anya who isn’t ready to sacrifice her integrity for what could be a lie for an aging woman’s last hope against the fiery Dmitri, equally determined to convince her to go along with the plan. The evolution of their characters’ relationship is believable, and the blend of their voices give power to the musical numbers, including “Journey to the Past” and the aforementioned “Once Upon a December,” both from the animated film.
Bolshevik Army Deputy Commissioner Gleb serves as the reminder that life in Russia remains dismal while things are improving for the young sweeper. Noah Sowalskie portrays the villain as a tortured soul who believes in the movement and his father — one of the triggermen who brought a bloody end to the Romanov dynasty.
Easily one of the best scenes in the production occurs between Ross’ Vlad and Countess Lily, the Grand Empress’ lady-in-waiting, played splendidly by Weslie Webster. The two Playhouse veterans enjoy working together, and it shows. Their comedic timing is impeccable. It’s delightfully comforting to witness their bantering.
As Vlad and Dmitri spend time with Anya and travel through Europe to Paris, they begin to wonder … are they really pulling a ruse with an imposter? Or have they, by sheer dumb luck, happened upon the Princess Anastasia Romonov, alive?
Judge for yourself, and be prepared to be wowed in this journey to the past that showcases the talents en masse of the Playhouse, from costumes to set to stage and lighting, music, choreography and high-caliber performances presented by an ensemble cast of veterans, favorites and newcomers.
It’s a journey you won’t want to miss.
”Anastasia: The Musical,” rated PG, will be performed on the Playhouse Mainstage until Aug. 11. Show dates and times vary. Go to ccplayhouse.com or call the box office at 931-484-5000 for tickets or more information.