DETROIT — The magnificent Anastasia the musical, is now playing at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit from June 11-23. Based on the 1997 animated film of the same name, the musical takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia which is now named Leningrad.
The story begins as the Dowager Empress (Joy Franz) comforts her young seven-year-old granddaughter with a music box as she announces she is moving to Paris, France.
Eleven years later, Anastasia (Lila Coogan) is attending a ball with her family, when the Bolsheviks bomb the palace. She escapes death, but her entire family does not. She develops amnesia and while in the hospital, they name her Anya.
As she tires to retrace her tracks in hopes of finding her family, she meets up with two men Dimitry (Stephen Brower) and Vlad (Edward Staudenmayer) who take her to Paris. She embarks on a journey to find home, the mystery of her past and love.
The costumes were exquisite and was perfectly portrayed for the early 1900’s. Anastasia is directed by Darko Tresnjak with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. The musical uses theatrical haze, strobe lights, gunshot sound effects and smoking (vapor e-cigarettes) during the performance. There was a 20-minute intermission between the two acts.
Performance times for Anastasia appearing at the Fisher Theatre, located at 3011 W. Grand Blvd, in Detroit are:
- Tuesday-Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday matinee at 2:00 p.m.
- Sunday matinee at 1:00 p.m.
Tickets start at $39 (includes facility and parking fees) and can be purchased online at http://www.broadwayindetroit.com or http://www.ticketmaster.com by phone 800-982-2787 and at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.