There is an entire generation who grew up with Ahrens and Flaherty’s ‘Journey to the past’ as their own personal anthem. Therefore, it is no surprise that the much anticipated staged version of Anastasia is met with mixed emotions. There is something about the precious nostalgic connection that sets this show on a very fine wire between monumental success and critical failure.

The staged version, set to premiere May 12th at Harftford stage, is a complete reworking of the well known (and beloved) animated movie. In an interview with the journal inquirer Darko Tresnjak (artistic director of Hartford stage and TONY Award winner -Best Director-for ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’) talks about the new musical incorporating some material from the animated movie mixed in with completely new material.

In essence it seems this musical will be a new creation, inclusive of a few nods to its predecessor, and aptly so; It will be an evolution of it’s former self- much like it’s now grown target audience.    
According to hartfordstage.org “ the new musical Anastasia is the romantic and rousing story of one brave young woman attempting to discover the mystery of her past while finding a place for herself in the rapidly changing world of a new century. With a rich and sweeping musical score that evokes the opulence of Russian aristocracy and the energy of Paris street life, Anastasia is the ultimate journey of a woman caught between the pull of the past and the promise of the future.”