I still remember the first time I saw the movie Anastasia. At 10 years old, my theater-going options were still decided by my parents, so we all went out for an evening in front of the big screen to see this animated musical that wasn’t Disney, but still sounded so promising. You see, as a girl growing up in the ’90s, I had my fair share of Broadway-esque cartoons to choose from. The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin were my top three, so when cheap imitators came along seeking attention, I was quick to sniff out the worst of the imposters.
Not so with Anastasia. I was enthralled.
With an historically-based twist on the traditional “Cinderella story,” Anastasia was a masterpiece in its own right. There was magic, there was romance, there were characters voiced by A-list actors (hello, Meg Ryan!), and there was heart. The movie quickly became one of my favorites, even after one of my fifth-grade classmates teased me for seeing it (I guess 10 is too old to still be watching cartoon musicals?).
As I got older, Anastasia kept a well-deserved place in my heart (and on my DVD shelf), and remained one of the few movies from my childhood that I rewatched regularly into adulthood. And then, one day . . . I saw an article on my Facebook newsfeed that caused me to question the state of my eyesight.
Someone was turning my beloved Anastasia into a Broadway musical.
You guys, THIS IS THE STUFF DREAMS ARE MADE OF. If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you probably know that show tunes are my pop culture. Finding out that one of my all-time favorite musicals was about to get the Broadway glow-up treatment after two decades? Teased-as-a-fifth-grader-for-her-love-of-cartoon-musicals-me had never felt so vindicated.
Photo: Evan Zimmerman, MurphyMade.
Now, let’s time jump a couple of years. This is where I give you some good news and some bad news. Bad news first, you say? Anastasia closed on Broadway in early 2019.
Womp, womp.
But not to worry, my lovelies, because the U.S. tour of Anastasia is goin’ strong and it’s a-comin’ to Detroit!
About the Show
Photo: Evan Zimmerman, MurphyMade.
From the Tony Award®-winning creators of Ragtime and inspired by the beloved film, Anastasia brings us the dazzling tale of a brave, young woman named Anya. Transporting us back to the twilight of the Russian Empire and then to 1920s Paris, Anastasia follows Anya as she sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer who’s 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 find home, love, and family.
Touted as a “MONSTER HIT” by The New York Times and “Fantastical, intelligent, well-crafted, and exhilarating” by The Wall Street Journal, Anastasia features a book by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally, a new score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics), and direction by Tony Award®-winning director Darko Tresnjak. The National Tour of Anastasia is produced by Stage Entertainment, Bill Taylor, Tom Kirdahy, Hunter Arnold, 50 Church Street Productions, The Shubert Organization, Elizabeth Dewberry & Ali Ahmet Kocabiyik, Carl Daikeler, Warner/Chappell Music, 42nd Club/Phil Kenny, Judith Ann Abrams Productions, Broadway Asia/Umeda Arts Theater, Peter May, David Mirvish, Sandi Moran, Seoul Broadcasting System, LD Entertainment/Sally Cade Holmes, Seriff Productions, Van Dean, Tamar Climan and in association with Hartford Stage.
Above: Edward Staudenmayer as Vlad, Lila Coogan, Stephen Brower, and the company of the national tour of Anastasia. Photo by Evan Zimmerman, MurphyMade.
Show Dates:
June 11-23, 2019
Performance Times:
* Tuesday – Saturday evening performances at 7:30 p.m.
* Sunday evening performances at 6:30 p.m.
* Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
* Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m.
* Special open captioned performance on Sunday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Location:
Fisher Theatre (3011 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit)
Ticket Info:
Tickets for Anastasia start at $39 (includes facility and parking fees). Tickets can be purchased online at www.broadwayindetroit.com or www.ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-982-2787. A limited number of premium seats will be available through Ticketmaster and at the Fisher Theatre box office. For group sales (12 or more) please call 313-871-1132 or email groups@broadwayindetroit.com. Tickets for the open captioned performance may be purchased in person at the Fisher Theatre box office or by phone at 313-872-1000, ext. 0. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.
**NOTE: I am not an official representative of Broadway in Detroit. Please visit www.broadwayindetroit.com for the most up-to-date information on this show and upcoming shows.
Above: Lila Coogan as Anya and Steven Brower as Dmitry in the national tour of Anastasia.
