Who would’ve thought that the story of the Romanov family’s tragic end and the mystery of the youngest daughter of the tsar would turn into first an animated movie, followed by a musical interpretation? Well, that’s what Stephen Flaherry and Lynn Ahrens decided to do after seeing the Twentieth Century Fox motion picture based on the book by Terrence McNally, and it was time for Howard Payne to tell the story their own way. The musical tells the story of Anya, a woman with amnesia trying to find her way to Paris, the only place which may determine who she is. She needs the help of two scammers, Dmitry and Vlad, who need a plan to leave Russia themselves. They decide to pull the ultimate scam by turning Anya into ‘The Grand Duchess Anastasia,’ and presenting her to the Dowager Empress. Along the way we learn more about who Anya really is, why Dmitry and Vlad turned to scams, and eventually find the key to our hearts along the way.
For some of these students, they’ve probably seen the movie, but I got to see the movie when it premiered on the big screens, along with witnessing the musical beforehand, so I knew what was about to come. I am pleased to say that Howard Payne presented a well-thought out and well-performed interpretation. The scenery was enjoyable, and the dance spots and singing were immersive for an audience member, especially sucking me into act II. The latter half of the act gave me goosebumps when a music box was presented to The Dowager Empress. I legit stopped writing notes because I was having too much fun watching the show.
The duo of Dmitry and Vlad, played by Wyatt Benoist and Victoriano Cooper, felt compatible together and it seemed as if they had been colleagues for years, and both actors fill their roles superb. Their singing together also meshes excellent. The group, however, doesn’t feel complete until Anya, played by Julie Ivy, comes into the picture. Her presence took only a few minutes, but her singing ‘Once Upon a December’ convinced me she was a good choice. Later when singing the big number, ‘Journey to the Past,’ all I saw was Anastasia in real life.
Other parts were enjoyable as well. I loved the ‘sassiness’ of Lily, played by Kourtney Melton, and eventually the duo of Lily and Vlad was cute to witness. Gleb, an officer in place of ‘Rasputin’ in the movie, showed a man struggling to do what’s right or to follow orders like his father did, and Chance Harmon did an excellent job doing that. It is tough to portray an old empress hurt and betrayed by fakes, but Ana Faulk did a swell job doing so. The chorus was a blast to watch, especially in the ensemble piece of ‘Land of Yesterday.
I did watch this on a dress rehearsal, so there were some mic issues, but nothing that can’t be polished before opening night. Those issues, however, were all overshadowed by the lighting work and stage background work. Overall, I think this show was a blast to watch and deserves to have a packed house all weekend long. Opening night will be on February 28th, and they will run thru March 3rd. Friday and Saturday starting at 7:30 PM, Sunday at 2:30 PM, and they will be a part of the Christian University Theatre Festival on the 3rd at 8:00 PM. Dr. Nicholas Ewen and the rest of his staff and students deserve the recognition from the public if they were able to get the recognition of this musical lover. Go out and see ‘Anastasia: The Musical’ this weekend, presented by the Howard Payne University Theatre department, and enjoy a Journey to the Past.
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Brae Foust, along with being a DJ for KOXE and Sports Broadcaster for local area sports, is a classically trained Baritone who graduated with a degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University. He has performed regionally with the Texas Tech Opera Theatre, Amarillo Opera, and Lubbock Moonlight Musicals. Additionally, he has performed around the country, including Lincoln Center in New York City.
