Based on the popular myth that Grand Duchess Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Russia’s Czar Nicholas II, survived the 1918 execution of the entire Romanov royal family, a classic 1956 film starred Ingrid Bergman (who won as Oscar for her role), Yul Brynner, and Helen Hayes. However, the movie was actually inspired by a Parisian play that dramatized the life of Anna Anderson, the most famous of several woman who claimed to be the surviving princess after the Russian Revolution.
Lauren Decierdo and Michael Deni (left) and cast – Photo by Jason Niedle
In fact, records suggest that she was born Franziska Schanzkowska, a Polish factory worker with a history of mental health problems. Ultimately, Anna died in the U.S. in 1984. Modern DNA evidence proved that she had no relationship whatsoever to the Romanovs. The fictional tale of Anastasia also inspired a popular 1997 animated musical historical fantasy starring the voices of Meg Ryan, Bernadette Peters, Angela Lansbury, and John Cusack. In 2026, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment proudly present ANASTASIA.
Comrade Cast – Photo by Jason Niedle
Inspired by the 1997 film, ANASTASIA transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s as a brave young woman with amnesia sets out of discover the mystery of her past. With book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens from the play by Marcelle Maurette as adapted by Guy Bolton, ANASTASIA takes a musical journey
Peyton Crim, Lena Ceja, and Dillon Klena – Photo by Jason Neidle
Historical facts and fiction combined to create an exciting fantasy about the Russian Grand Duchess Anastasia, a story which survived for decades until modern science proved otherwise. But it still makes for an electrifying tale about the twilight of Imperialist Russia and the royal Romanovs. Set in St. Petersburg and Paris in the years 1907, 1917, and 1927, ANASTASIA moves quickly through the fantastical account. Rumors abounded that, after the Romanov family was executed, there was one survivor, the Czar’s youngest daughter. The pivotal question? What might have happened to Anastasia (Lena Ceja), now a pauper who suffers from amnesia, as she makes the dangerous journey from St. Petersburg to Paris to find out who she is. Aided every step of the way by con man Comrade Dmitry Dunya (Dillon Klena) and displaced aristocrat Vladimir Popov (Peyton Crim), two crafty Russians looking for the proverbial “pot of gold” for discovering the missing heir to the Russian throne.
Richard Bermudez and Lena Ceja – Photo by Jason Niedle
ANASTASIA is a vibrant and tumultuous musical vividly crafted by director/choreographer Parker Esse with musical direction by Ryan O’Connell. The talented cast sing (and sometimes dance) their hearts out portraying the end of a dynasty and way of life. Andrew Hammer’s original set design literally explodes with Aaron Rhyne’s lush projection design. Ricky Laurie’s costumes and Kaitlin Yagen’s hair/wig/makeup are richly augmented by Jennifer Edwards’ lighting and Josh Bessom’s sound. ANASTASIA is a production which equally balances the role of people with the role of the ambience of the time – from Revolutionary bleak to Russian elite combined with art deco Paris in the Roaring 20s enhanced with never-to-be-forgotten Parisian sights and sounds. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts has outdone itself this time. Don’t miss this spectacular production.
Sarah Wolter (center) and cast – Photo by Jason Niedle
