From Tony winners Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, creators of such Broadway classics as Ragtime and Once On This Island, this dazzling show transports its audience 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 con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family.
Director's Vision Statement
Anastasia is a classic tale of love and loss told across memory and time. For decades after the untimely end of the Romanov dynasty’s three century reign, rumors persisted that Tsar Nicholas II’s youngest daughter—the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanov—survived the massacre that claimed the rest of her immediate family. And despite conclusive evidence now that Anastasia met her fate with her parents and siblings, the possibility of a long lost princess still stirs our imagination.
CYT Houston’s fall production of Anastasia will seek to capture the enchantment of Anastasia’s story through the three pillars of our craft. Like all of the shows I direct, our focus will be on the fundamentals of acting, singing, and dancing.
Through acting we’ll explore the complex characters at the heart of the story. Is Anastasia simply a product of her family’s tragedy? Or does she control her fate? Is Dmitry destined to be a simple con artist, or can he redeem his shady past? Can Gleb transcend his father’s shameful legacy? Or is he doomed to simply follow orders? Finding the motivation behind every character, large and small, will be critical to telling this story.
Through singing we connect directly with our audiences in the soaring and breathtakingly beautiful score of Anastasia. Every note, every harmony, every haunting refrain will propel the momentum of the story and linger with our audiences long after the curtain call. The music of Anastasia is indispensable to telling the story.
And finally, Anastasia offers some excellent opportunities to dance. From ballet to waltz to traditional Russian folk dance, Anastasia will be an excellent opportunity to improve your ability to use dance to tell a captivating tale. If dance is the hidden language of the soul, the dancing in Anastasia will lay bare that soul.
At auditions, come ready to showcase these three pillars of musical theatre. You’ll have two minutes to both sing a song of your choice and perform a monologue. Any CYT appropriate song that showcases your vocal ability will work well for these auditions, but songs in the style of the show are especially encouraged. Consider how your monologue and song can work together to showcase your storytelling ability, and have fun! Dance auditions can be daunting, but remember we’re always learning and growing as performers, so come ready to move and learn some great choreography!
Anastasia will be a grand production full of magic and excitement. Our audiences will laugh and cry as we transport them to another time and place. Anastasia mixes sadness and heartbreak with humor and hope to tell a beautiful tale. There are roles for all ages, but the show does deal with some very real historic tragedies that befell the last Tsar of Russia and his family. Be a part of the magic this fall with CYT Houston.
