'Anastasia' musical lights up the stage at Masquers Theater
Talented cast, quality staging featured in debut production.
Updated
A memorable cast of characters, choreography, and music are featured in the Masquers' presentation of "Anastasia: The Musical," which opened last week in Soap Lake. Photos by Randy Bracht
SOAP LAKE — From Russia, with love?
It’s not a James Bond spy novel. But the Masquers’ production of “Anastasia: The Musical” provides similarly compelling characters, sinister intrigue, adventure and romance — along with memorable songs and dance — on the Soap Lake stage.
The story follows Anya, a young woman with only vague memories of her childhood and a royal family, as she journeys from the twilight of imperial Russia to the glowing streets of Paris in the 1920s. Anya is pursued by a Soviet officer intent on silencing her, and befriended by a charming con man and a former aristocrat, as she pieces together her true past.
Based on the animated film, the musical was originally brought to the stage by Tony Award-winning creators Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty, and Lynn Ahrens.
Directed locally by Rachel and Stacey Bresee, “Anastasia” features creative costumes and staging and a large, talented cast with strong performances from Emma-Jean Wydur as Anya, Ben McLain as her streetwise and eventual suitor Dmitry, Jeremy Hansen as the charming mentor Vlad, Christie McLain as the Dowager Empress, Kelliann Lusk as the Empress’ lady-in-waiting Lily, and Alec Lobe as the malevolent Soviet agent Gleb Vaganov.
Clark Dalton serves as musical director and, with Rachel Bresee, collaborated on choreography for the production, which debuted last weekend and continues through Nov. 8.
Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For tickets and information, visit the Masquers website.
The Masquers Theater is located at 322 E. Main Ave. in Soap Lake.
Here’s a look at some of the scenes:
Anya (Emma-Jean Wydur, above) is comforted by con man-turned-suitor Dmitry (Ben McLain) after being awakened by a dream (below) with haunting visions of her forgotten past.Countess Lily Malevitch (Kelliann Lusk) serves as the lively lady-in-waiting to the grieving Dowager Empress (Christie McLain), a royal Romanov exiled to Paris after the fall of czarist Russia.In 1920s Paris, cultures commingled and a party atmosphere prevailed featuring (from left) Leah Watkins, Kody Campbell, Clifford Bresee, Kelliann Lusk, Mickey Greely, Alicia Pineda, and Natalie Vieira.A former member of the imperial aristocracy, the roguish Vladimir "Vlad" Popov (Jeremy Hansen) rekindles a past romance with Lily. Alec Lobe portrays Soviet deputy commissioner Gleb Vaganov, who pursues Anya from Russia to Paris to finish his father's mission and silence rumors of a surviving Romanov.Justin Thompson plays Count Leopold, and a debonair member of the musical's large ensemble cast.Watched by royalty, ballerinas Kellie Pannek and Carlee Howard (also "teen" Anastasia) perform a scene from "Swan Lake."Meet the press: a gaggle of reporters surround Lily with questions about rumors of Romanovs in France. (From left, Darryl Pheasant, Sherry Joski, Leah Watkins, Kelliann Lusk, Emma Galloway, and Clifford Bresee).Anya eventually confirms her royal heritage, then abandons it, for love.
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'Anastasia' musical lights up the stage at Masquers Theater
Talented cast, quality staging featured in debut production.
SOAP LAKE — From Russia, with love?
It’s not a James Bond spy novel. But the Masquers’ production of “Anastasia: The Musical” provides similarly compelling characters, sinister intrigue, adventure and romance — along with memorable songs and dance — on the Soap Lake stage.
The story follows Anya, a young woman with only vague memories of her childhood and a royal family, as she journeys from the twilight of imperial Russia to the glowing streets of Paris in the 1920s. Anya is pursued by a Soviet officer intent on silencing her, and befriended by a charming con man and a former aristocrat, as she pieces together her true past.
Based on the animated film, the musical was originally brought to the stage by Tony Award-winning creators Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty, and Lynn Ahrens.
Directed locally by Rachel and Stacey Bresee, “Anastasia” features creative costumes and staging and a large, talented cast with strong performances from Emma-Jean Wydur as Anya, Ben McLain as her streetwise and eventual suitor Dmitry, Jeremy Hansen as the charming mentor Vlad, Christie McLain as the Dowager Empress, Kelliann Lusk as the Empress’ lady-in-waiting Lily, and Alec Lobe as the malevolent Soviet agent Gleb Vaganov.
Clark Dalton serves as musical director and, with Rachel Bresee, collaborated on choreography for the production, which debuted last weekend and continues through Nov. 8.
Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For tickets and information, visit the Masquers website.
The Masquers Theater is located at 322 E. Main Ave. in Soap Lake.
Here’s a look at some of the scenes: