ANASTASIA musical extended

The mystery surrounding a young Russian girl born125 years ago has intrigued the world over. The beautiful stage adaptation of one version of this story of ANASTASIA is playing at Curtain Call's Kweskin Theatre, Stamford, through April 18. Strong sales have seen all matinee performances SOLD OUT so a new Saturday matinee has been scheduled for April 18.

From Tony winners Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, creators of such Broadway classics as Ragtime and Once On This Island, this dazzling musical transports its audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family. The production features much-loved songs like "Journey to the Past" and "Once Upon a December." This version's source material includes the 1956 film (screenplay by Arthur Laurents, based on a Marcelle Maurette play adapted by Guy Bolton) and the 1997 animated film with a score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.

"ANASTASIA is another one of the amazing musicals that was born in CT, having been created at The Hartford Stage Company before transferring to Broadway in April, 2017," said Lou Ursone, Curtain Call's executive director and producer for ANASTASIA. "We had a good feeling about how popular this show was going to be based on the huge crowd we had for auditions," Ursone noted, "And we weren't wrong," he added. "When the show opened in Hartford, they kept six songs from the animated film, including the Oscar-nominated “Journey to the Past,” Ursone said. "That song has become a popular song for young women to use at auditions," he added.

Who was Anastasia? Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanov, was the fourth and and youngest daughter of Czar Nicholas II, who ruled Russia from 1894 to 1917 - part of the Romanov family who had ruled for 300 years! What really happened to them is not exactly the stuff of which fairy tales are made, so this stage version is certainly no documentary, but a truly enjoyable evening of theatre for the whole family. "If you want to know the real history, head to your local library," Ursone said.

Director, Gail Yudain, along with music director Benjamin Doyle and choreographer Kelly Nayden, have assembled a cast of 24 to tell this story, including: Emma Sawch as the title character. Others in the cast include: Stuart Adelberg, Ann Alford, Murial Bailey, Jean Carucci, Amy Chaplygin, David Chuba, Clint Clifford, Jay de la Rosa, Scott Ferrara, Brendan Garvey-Haas, Matt Garvey-Haas, Dillon Heide, Hadley Herlihy, Winchelle Jean-Pier, Eric Lewin, Antonio Mantero, Jamie Molina. Renata Montalto, Rachel Morrow, Kelly Nayden, Sarah Paschal, Jaelyn Pollock and Kelsey Senteio. The production team includes set design by Peter Barbieri, Jr., lighting design by Peter Petrino and costume design by Thomas Gordon.

Performances will continue Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm through April 18. As noted above, there is one additional Saturday matinee at 2:00pm, April 18. Doors open one half hour before show time. Tickets are available at 203-461-6358 or online at www.curtaincallinc.com. Prices range from $28 to $46. Group rates and discounted Flex Passes are also available.

The Kweskin Theatre is located at the Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT. ANASTASIA is produced by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals, in cooperation with The City of Stamford. ANASTASIA is sponsored by CELCO HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING with additional support provided by the CT Office of the Arts.
Curtain Call was voted Fairfield County's BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP ten years running in the Annual Readers' Poll of the Fairfield County Weekly and has received similar “BEST OF” awards from Stamford Magazine and StamfordPlus magazine for 2008 through 2023. Curtain Call received The Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2011 and the ACE Award for Excellence in Arts & Culture from the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County in 2016.