BroadwayWorld.com has learned that casting is now under way for a 29-hour reading of ANASTASIA - A New Musical, based on the hit 1997 animated motion picture from Fox Animation Studios. The musical, which is in its Early Stages of development will feature the five songs from the film along with fifteen new songs written for the stage.
Currently set for the still-being-cast late July reading are Angela Lansbury (reprising her role from the film) and Aaron Lazar with other offers outstanding. Joining the creative team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty will be bookwriter Terrence McNally and Music Director Ben Cohn.
There is currently no official timeline for the project, which is in its Early Stages of development.
The story is inspired by an urban legend which claimed that Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Nicholas II, the last Emperor of Russia, in fact survived the execution of her family.
"I never had theatre producers run after me. Some people want to make more Broadway shows out of movies. But Elliot and I aren't going to do Batman: The Musical." - Julie Taymor 1999
I'm just completely blown away by Ms. Lansbury's vitality and stamina. Not only she about to leave to Australia to star in Driving Miss Daisy (even though she has previously stated that she doesn't want to play leading roles on stage anymore) at the age of 87, but is in talks to potentially star in another Broadway show. It would make her 5th show since her return to B'way in 2007. What an amazing woman! I'm so buying her work out video now, since whatever she's doing is obviously working.
"I never had theatre producers run after me. Some people want to make more Broadway shows out of movies. But Elliot and I aren't going to do Batman: The Musical." - Julie Taymor 1999
I want Paul Esparza or Mandy Patinkin for Rasputin. How about Michael McGrath for Vladimir and Megan Mullally for Sophie (I doubt Bernadette Peters would be interested in playing such small role)?
I've been waiting for this to happen, I hope it does well and comes to Broadway. Sierra or Laura would both be wonderful casting choices for Anastasia, and I can't wait to see what Ahrens and Flaherty add to the score!
I'm kind of a sweat pant, t-shirt, no make-up type of girl. So once a year, I can get spiffy.
Sutton Foster :)
I think the overall story would be great for stage, but agree the biggest problem is what to do with Rasputin - Rasputin needs a major rewrite and look at the character.
It claims they are only using five songs from the movie- not counting reprises/reworkings of the songs, or the end credit songs, there are only 6. Hopefully Rasputin's is the one that got the axe. He's a completely arbitrary villain. He could even be cut entirely.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Actually, that could be a good idea. Especially, since the real life Rasputin was killed in 1916, a year before the fall of Romanov's dynasty. Not that real life Anastasia has survived the 1918 massacre, but still.