Romance, Adventure, and Broadway-Caliber Brilliance Await: Anastasia Dazzles at the Broward Center Now Through January 5th.

December 22nd, 2024

American National Bank and Visit Lauderdale present Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of the musical Anastasia at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts now through January 5^th!

Inspired by the beloved black and white film starring Ingrid Bergman in 1956, and the animated, 20^th Century Fox film starring the voice of Meg Ryan in 1997, the Broadway production of Anastasia opened at the Broadhurst Theatre in April of 2017. The musical, which received two Tonay award nominations, features a book by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally, and a lush score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics).

Slow Burn Theatre – Anastasia – Jarod Bakum Mikayla Cohen – Photo by Larry Marano

Based on a mixture of historic facts and romanticized fiction, the musical traces the story of the real-life Anna Anderson who claimed to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia. Anastasia, the youngest daughter of the last Tsar and Tsarina of Russia, Nicholas II and Alexandra, was murdered along with her parents and siblings in July of 1918 by Bolshevik revolutionaries in Yekaterinburg, Russia. But because the body of Anastasia was unknown (until 2007) it was conjectured that she may have escaped. Several young women came forward claiming to be the Grand Duchess, but none came so close as Anna Anderson who maintained the claim until her death in 1984. It was later determined by genetic testing that she was not Anastasia, but her story while she was alive gave great solace to remaining relatives of the royal family and their supporters.

Slow Burn Theatre – Anastasia – Aaron De Jesus – Photo by Larry Marano

The musical Anastasia transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s. A brave young woman suffering from amnesia and known only as Anya (Mikayla Cohen) sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman named Dmitry (Jarod Bakum) and a lovable ex-aristocrat named Vlad (Aaron De Jesus). The two men have been looking for the right girl to mold into an Anastasia pretender to collect the financial reward offered by the real Anastasia’s grandmother, the Dowager Empress (Dalia Aleman). So, Anya’s arrival is most fortuitous for them all. To add to the turmoil of her journey, Anya is being ruthlessly pursued by a Soviet officer named Gleb (Sean William Davis) determined to silence her for the threat she poses to the new regime. Tanya, Mitry and Vlad embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family, but along the way begin to believe she may actually be the lost Grand Duchess Anastasia.

This production of Anastasia is Slow Burn Theatre at its finest! The projection art and sets are flawless. The train scene, in which the train rotates while the countryside flies by is particularly well done. The ornate costumes are stunning. The Tsarina’s costume so elegantly worn by Caiti Marlowe, dripping with diamonds and topped with a sparkling tiara is so breathtaking I nearly gasped. The wigs are beautiful as well, with rich curls in the beginning and later with period bobs as they enter 1920s Paris.

Slow Burn Theatre – Anastasia – Company – Photo by Larry Marano

A live orchestra and full ensemble of singers show off the score to full advantage. Unique to this musical is that it features an actual segment of Swan Lake as Anya attends the ballet. So, the audience is treated to trained ballet dancers Madeline Dunn, Eric Rivas, Jamal Campbell, Kassi McMillan, Ashley Vallant, and Sarah Sun Park who dance the difficult piece beautifully.

Slow Burn Theatre – Anastasia – Mikayla Cohen – photo by Larry Marano

Mikayla Cohen is vocally perfection as Anya. Every song, every note – her sound is just right, and she is totally committed to the role. I would’ve liked a bit more vulnerability to her character, as there was romantic chemistry lacking between her and Dmitry and I think that would’ve helped. Jarod Bakum as Dmitry is of fine voice and has good energy, but his portrayal seems a bit callow. It felt like he was playing Jack in Newsies the whole time. Sean William Davis has a commanding stage presence and a wonderful baritone singing voice. His strong acting is marred only slightly by a few moments of scenery chewing where he seemed to be playing Javier in Les Mis. It is, however, a memorable performance.

Slow Burn Theatre – Anastasia – Mikayla Cohen & Jarod Bakum- photo by Larry Marano

Gail Bennet and Aaron De Jesus are comedic gold as Countess Lily and Vlad! First Bennett wows the audience with her singing and dancing in “Land of Yesterday”. Then in the duet “The Countess and the Common Man” she and De Jesus hit every funny physical moment in the song. Her control of her body as a dancer shine through even amidst all the goofing around, and their facial reactions, pauses and panting are hilarious. I observed from the program that the two actors are married to one another in real life and assume that their joyful chemistry on stage stems at least in part from that.

Slow Burn Theatre – Anastasia – Gail Bennett & Company – Photo by Larry Marano

Luch and opulent, this production of Anastasia is filled with lovely voices, memorable melodies, elegant costumes and scenery, and solid acting moments both serious and comedic. Rush to see it before it closes!

Slow Burn Theatre – Anastasia – Gail Bennett Mikayla Cohen Jarod Bakum- Photo by Larry Marano

This Slow Burn Theatre Company production of the musical Anastasia will be appearing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts at the Amaturo Theatre now through January 5^th. The BCPA is located at 201 Southwest 5^th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. For tickets please go to https://www.browardcenter.org/events.