A story of hope, love and legend, Anastasia the Musical brings humanity to historical wartime figures, centring on the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II and the enduring mystery surrounding Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna. Drawing on the tragic fate of the Romanov family, who were brutally executed during the Russian Revolution, the musical threads history with myth. While elements touch on the truth, ultimately the story is romanticised and fabricated.

The book for Anastasia was written by the late, five-time Tony Award-winning writer Terrence McNally (whose credits includes Master Class), with music and lyrics by the renowned writing team Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (the duo behind Once On This Island). Though it diverges from the 20th Century Fox 1997 animated film, it retains a fairy-tale sensibility.  

The idea that Anastasia Romanov could have survived the brutal 1918 murder was hoped by many, resulting in several imposters attempting to claim her identity, which this production leans into. Here, Anastasia (Georgina Hopson as Anya) has amnesia and lives as a street sweeper until she encounters two con artists (Robert Tripolino and Rodney Dobson), who convince her that she may be the lost princess. They coach her in the history of the Imperial family, intending to present her to the Dowager Empress, her grandmother (Nancye Hayes).

The cast sing, dance and perform with heart and soul. Hopson imbues Anya with warmth and vulnerability, while Tripolino presents a charming Dmitry. Their duet “In a Crowd of Thousands” is a turning point for both characters and a lovely melding of harmonies. Joshua Robson, as antagonist Gleb, is menacing, his authority conveyed with a snap of his fingers. Hayes delivers a performance that captures the once formidable but now sadly diminished grandmother. Dobson and Rhonda Burchmore as Countess Lily, are crowd favourites, particularly in their teasing comedic garden scene, where past romance rekindles.

Choreographer Peggy Hickey delivers a dynamic range of movement, with dance sequences ranging from Russian folk dance with high kicks and squats jumps, to tradition waltz, as well as an excerpt from the ballet Swan Lake, with Odette (Sophia Bae) performing with technical precision.

Visually, Linda Cho’s opulent design shines in the sparkling jewelled gowns, informed by historical research and study of the Tsar’s family photographs, leaning authenticity to the costumes. Alexander Dodge’s scenic design features LED backdrop and video projections of Tsarist St Petersburg, Communist Russia and Paris in the 1920s. While the cinematic quality is striking, it lacks the dimensionality of a fully realised set. However, Aaron Rhyne’s video  projections of falling snow, drifting ash and angry red flames, create vivid imagery. Donald Holder’s lighting and Rhyne’s projection work together to allow the past and present interlap, with ghostly figures of the royal family adding to the dream sequence. The “Nightmare” sequence depicting the Romanov family is a dramatic and genuinely unsettling moment, however, as this musical is family friendly, it stops short of showing anything explicit.

Director Darko Tresnjak infuses the Broadway musical with genuinely touching moments. A quiet sadness pervades the show, most powerfully felt in the poignant “Stay, I Pray You” sequence. As aristocrats prepare to flee Russia, the ensemble delivers a devastating moving farewell to their homeland. It’s a timeless, beautiful song, resonating with experiences of displacement and exile around the world.

Anastasia the Musical is an emotional journey that draws tears, poignantly touching on the tragedy of the Romanovs and the weight of that history, while ultimately offering a note of hope.

3.5 stars

Presented by John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia Anastasia the Musical is playing at Sydney Lyric Theatre until 18 July 2026, before continuing on to Festival Theatre Adelaide (August) and Lyric Theatre QPAC Brisbane (September)

Run Time: 2 hours and 25 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

For tickets visit Anastasia the Musical