Aubree Lauren as Anastasia and Mary Rumman as the Dowager Empress (Photo courtesy Croswell Opera House, c 2025).
Perhaps you saw Anastasia on Broadway. Perhaps you saw it on tour. And perhaps your first experience will be at the Croswell Opera House which opened a gorgeous picture-perfect confection of a musical last night to kick off their 2025 summer Broadway season.
The book by Terence McNally with the Music and Lyrics by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens is as solid as musical theater comes – based on both the animated 20th Century Fox movie, as well as the play by Marcelle Maurette. If you love the animated movie let me tell you right off the bat, there is no Bat, and there is no Rasputin. Instead you’ll find a slightly darker tale with memorable characters, romance, music, and a deep sense of yearning-to-belong. Of course, the basic conceit is: after the Romanovs (Tsar Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra and their children) were all executed by the Bolsheviks in St Petersburg, did daughter Anastasia somehow get away to join her grandmother later in Europe? Historically, no. Theatrically, well, there’s wonder involved here. And all those beloved songs from the movie are all here too.
The production is absolutely gorgeous with exceptional set design by Leo Babcock, stunning costume design by Sabriyah W Davis (twice the audience gasped at her creations), moving projections by Crosby Slupe, and colorful lighting design by Rachel Slupe. Musical Direction is outstanding by Gabriel Brent Hagedorn, and the always-terrific conductor Raymond Novak leads an orchestra of 14 that sounds twice it’s size. Whether its in royal palaces and residences, a moving train car (bravo), or Paris the show is absolutely beautiful.
Stephen Kiersey directs with a solid sense of purpose – everyone here has a role and a track that has meaning; Choroegrapher Sarah Nowak creates delightful (and in the case of the ballet, stunning) choreography, Jen Pan provides lively fight/intimacy Choreography, and Karl Kasischke’s sound design is perfect — this production is ready to dazzle from the get go.
Speaking of dazzling, it is hard to imagine a more perfect Anya (Anastasia) than Aubrie Lauren who captivates the audience every moment she is on stage, whether drawing you in with her lyric vocals or capturing those moments of confusion, hope, betrayal, and charisma. Of course Maxwell Lam has charisma to spare as Dmitry, and love-triangle/bad guy Gleb is played by big-voiced Brian Jones. Jeffrey King is particularly good as Dmitry’s sidekick/mentor Vlad Popov (P-O-P-O-V) and Love Ruddell turns in another wonderfully voiced (and wickedly funny) Countess Lily. Mary Rumman is perfectly in-tune with high society and fallen royalty as the Dowager Empress. The entire cast is outstanding from top to bottom. I’m running out of superlativces to use here — singing, dancing, acting are in top form throughout — and ooof, those almost instantaneous costume changes. Another small marvel.
If you are looking for a new recent Broadway musical with wonderful music, a solid story, and absolutely gorgeous production design, get your tickets right now and be transported to a world that The Croswell Opera House knows how to create and send you out on air — and entirely entertained and enchanted. And that is no small wonder indeed.
Very Highest Recommendation.
Anastasia runs through May 18th at the Croswell Opera House, downtown Adrian, MI. Purchase tickets ONLY through their web site at croswell.org or by calling 517-264-7469 – do not purchase from third party sales sites online.
Mostly Musical Theatre 
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