The Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts will present “Anastasia: The Musical” at 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 6 to 8, and 2 p.m. (sensory-friendly performance) and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton.
Chris Pavlick and Becky Herd play the newly reunited Vlad and Countess Lily, rekindling an old flame in Paris in “Anastasia: The Musical”. SUBMITTED
The Dowager Empress of Russia (Tina Becker) presents a music box to the young Anastasia (Melody Cavallo) in the opening of the sweeping “Anastasia: The Musical,” being presented at the PTPA in downtown Hazleton. SUBMITTED
Based on the animated film, “Anastasia,” transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman named Anya (Jessica Schafer) sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by ruthless Soviet officer Gleb (Matthew Fulkerson), Anya enlists the aid of dashing con man Dmitry (Richard Kraus) and a lovable ex-aristocrat Vlad (Christopher Pavlick).
Tina Becker is also featured as the Dowager Empress, Becky Herd is Countess Lily, Ciarán Burke is Gorlinsky and Count Leopold, Jack McGavin is Count Ipolitov, Zachary Sessock is the Tsar, Dana Jackson Burke is the Tsarina, Anastasiia Hradil is Young Anastasia, Melody Cavallo is Little Anastasia, Sviatoslav Hradil is Tsarevich Alexei, and Lyla Atie, Cassie Zeleznock, and Taryn Leonard are Anastasia’s sisters, with Kailyn MacCollum as featured dancer Odette in the “Swan Lake” ballet number.
Many of the performers above are also a part of the ensemble cast that also includes Ava Badamo, Emily Brekke, Stephanie Chirre, Tori Dibble, Jayden Eidem, Eugene Hradil, Julia Kintzel, Darvin Mordan, Nathan Paulino, Teagan Pcolinsky, Reagan Seiwell, Ariella Torres, and Joseimie Zapata.
Artistic Director Adam Randis has assembled a veteran production staff, including Jessica Schafer as music director; Tim Solarek as assistant director and scenic and lighting designer; Cali Solarek as assistant director, choreographer, and costume coordinator; T.R. Laputka as technical director; Dana Jackson Burke as stage manager; and Kimberly Tejada as costumer.
The PTPA is working with the Collaborative Autism Movement to present the sensory-friendly performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, with special ticket pricing (adult/caregiver tickets are $10; all youth/young adult admission is free).
Tickets are available at www.ptpashows.org and at the box office starting one hour before the show.