The show: “Anastasia,” at Leeds Arts Council through Aug. 4. A musical inspired by the story of Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, who may or may not have died during the execution of her family in 1918. Years later, a young woman who believes she is Anastasia must convince her grandmother. Directed by Carrie Self and Brandi McClaran; choreography by Lauren Sizemore; artwork by Becky Wallace; technical direction by Cailyn Hill.
The cast: Janie Spratley as Anya/Princess Anastasia, Ellen Mitchell as Dowager Empress Maria Feodorova, Lynne Nunally as Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch, Blake Echols as Dmitry, Jon McClaran as Vlad Popov, Scot Self as Gleb Vaganov, plus almost 40 others in the large ensemble.
The highlights: Spratley is a compelling Anya with a lovely voice, shining especially on the Act I closing number “Journey to the Past.” The three leading men wrestle with the music from time to time, but it doesn’t deter from their appealing performances. Mitchell and Nunally are engaging, too, in the roles of the dowager empress and her lady-in-waiting. The set – old-fashioned backdrops that are changed quickly during stage blackouts! – evokes early-20th-century Russia and France well, as do the often-lush costumes and Sizemore’s lively choreography.
Needs work: The sound ranges from pitch-perfect to not there at all. In the case of the latter, solo lines from the ensemble are sometimes lost entirely, particularly a problem in the beginning because they’re setting up the premise of the show.
Bottom line: A lovely production of a charming musical, led by a compelling actress in the title role.
“Anastasia,” at Leeds Arts Council through Aug. 4.
