Review Highlights: ANASTASIA - National Tour: Orpheum Theater

Willem Butler and Veronica Stern
Photo by Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made

highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)

Click here for more information on this production that runs through May 7

" In the 1997 animated feature Anastasia, members of the title character's family are murdered during the Russian Revolution in 1918. Death is a heavy subject for an animated movie aimed at families but for the stage musical of Anastasia, which is geared toward an older audience, the serious subject matter works quite well to frame this story of a young woman who suffers from amnesia and takes a journey to discover her past that also gives her hope for the future. The non-Equity national tour is to town for five performances with a talented cast and impressive creative elements...Veronica Stern delivers a touching, layered performance of Anya, a young woman who is strong enough to take care of herself but is also vulnerable, stubborn, and confused due to not knowing who she is or much about her past. ...Willem Butler and Bryan Seastrom make a winning duo as the lovable con men Dmitry and Vlad. ...Anastasia may have a few unnecessary moments and songs that slow the thrust of the main plot down slightly, but it also has gorgeous creative elements that provide depth, visual pops and a cinematic sweep to the plot. The touring cast embody and bring their characters vibrantly to life, and when combined with the impressive creative aspects and clean direction it results in a crowd pleasing musical that shines a light on this historical rumor and the legend of just what happened to the Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia.
 - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)