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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Anastasia
The plot follows a young woman named Anya who sets out to discover her true identity amidst the upheaval of early 20th-century Russia. With only faint memories of her past, she joins two con men, Dmitry and Vlad, who hope to pass her off as the lost Grand Duchess Anastasia to claim a reward from Anastasia's grandmother, the Dowager Empress. Their journey takes them from the streets of St. Petersburg to the grandeur of Paris, as Anya slowly uncovers the truth about her past and her future. Fans of the animated film will find familiar songs and beloved moments in this adaptation, including "Once Upon a December" "Journey to the Past," which was nominated for an Academy Award. The score, with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, features a host of new numbers that enrich the story and deepen the characters' journeys, with sweeping ballads, lively ensemble pieces, and a few comical numbers that beautifully tie into the show's romantic, humorous, and adventurous spirit. Terrence McNally's book takes a more historically grounded approach. Gone are the magical elements and the villain Rasputin, replaced instead with the menacing Gleb, a Soviet officer torn between duty and his growing compassion for Anya. This gives the story more emotional depth while keeping the essence of hope, resilience, and love intact, although, at times, Gleb seems to be shoe-horned into the plot to create drama and the songs Flaherty and Ahrens have written for him sound too similar to each other. Fortunately, those are the only quibbles I have as the rest of the show and score are rich and rewarding. The Hale cast is outstanding. Brie Wadsworth-Gates delivers a remarkable performance as Anya, balancing strength and vulnerability while showcasing a powerful, expressive voice that soars in her solo numbers. Opposite her, Reece Harris is charismatic and quick-witted as Dmitry, with authentic chemistry that makes their romance believable and charming. Gleb is given a layered performance by Zac Bushman, who captures Gleb's authority and inner turmoil, while Kathleen Sasnett is wonderful as the Dowager Empress in a portrayal infused with grace and gravitas. As Vlad, Rob Stuart provides comic relief with impeccable timing, and his scenes with Rochelle Barton as Countess Lily sparkle with playful humor and warmth. The members of the ensemble exhibit clear vocals and a strong stage presence, with Melina Garey fantastic in the ballet scene and Austin Shaw delivering exceptional vocals leading the cast in the stirring "Stay, I Pray You." Cambrian James' direction shines especially in this in-the-round setting, using the space with precision to create a fluid, immersive experience with transitions between scenes that are seamless. James' choreography fills the stage with energy and life while the ballet choreography from Rebekah Hale is quite impressive. The music direction by Cathy Hauan delivers rich, full, and strong vocals from the entire cast. The set design by McKenna Carpenter may be minimal, with just a few set pieces to depict the various locations in the plot, but the beautiful walls and stage floor resemble polished marble, giving a sense of grandeur to the production, as well as a few pieces that come together to resemble the train car that Anya and her friends take to Paris. The projections, which I believe are the same as or closely resemble the ones used for the Broadway production, add depth and context, evoking palaces, city streets, and the romance of Paris. Brielle Hawkes' costumes are exquisite, with character-appropriate designs that depict the opulence of Russian royalty as well as the threadbare clothes of the commoners. The lighting by Ashton Corey creates lovely stage images throughout. Hale Centre Theatre's production of Anastasia is excellent, with strong performances, thoughtful direction, and elegant design elements that create a magical theatrical experience which perfectly captures the spirit, romance and mystery of this beloved story. Anastasia runs through October 4, 2025 at Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Avenue, Gilbert AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.haletheatrearizona.com or call 480-497-1181 Producers & Casting Directors: David and Corrin Dietlein Cast: |
