One of the most anticipated musicals on Broadway is the adaptation of Anastasia, the animated feature based loosely on the legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, who was said to have escaped the execution of her family, the influential Romanovs.
The musical is set to premiere on April 24 at the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway, but a new video of Christy Altomare, who plays Anya, singing the Academy Award-nominated song “Journey to the Past” recently surfaced. The actress is seen singing at her alma mater, the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.
Watch the video below:
The Russian Imperial Romanov Family were led by Tsar Nicolas II, the last emperor of Russia. He and his family were executed by Bolshevik troops, or the majority faction of the Russian Social Democratic Party, in 1918. It is believed that the whole family perished in a field, but stories have persisted that youngest daughter Anastasia survived.
The 1997 animated feature is set during the siege of the palace, and fast forwards to 10 years later. Anastasia survives but experiences amnesia. Her grandmother, the Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna, offers a princely sum for the return of Anastasia, which two friends take advantage of. They search for a lookalike, until they find Anya, a beautiful teenager who looks strangely like the grand duchess. The film was reviewed well, with Rotten Tomatoes saying that it offers “beautiful animation, an affable take on Russian history, and strong voice performances.”
News of a musical surfaced in 2015. Now, it is set to premiere on Broadway, with a score by Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, and book by Tony winner Terrence McNally. It will be directed by Tony winner Darko Tresnjak.
Altomare will be joined by Derek Klena as Dmitry, John Bolton as Vlad, Caroline O’Connor as Lily, Ramin Karimloo as Gleb, and Mary Beth Peil as Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna.
What do you think of Altomare’s version of “Journey to the Past”? Share your thoughts below!
Follow When in Manila Koji for more stories like this!
