Anastasia type Stage

Anastasia is officially heading to Broadway once upon a December – well, April. The new musical based on the 1997 animated film of the same name is transferring to the Great White Way next spring after a successful run in Hartford earlier this year, producers announced Tuesday.

The musical, like the animated film, is inspired by the youngest daughter of the last tsar of Russia. Spanning the final days of the Russian Empire to 1920s Paris, the story follows a young woman trying to uncover the mystery of her past with the help of a handsome con man. Christy Altomare (Mamma Mia) stars as the heroine, Anya, with Derek Klena (Dogfight) playing the scrappy Dmitry. Anastasia also stars Broadway vets John Bolton (A Christmas Story: The Musical) as Dmitry’s pal Vlad Popov and Caroline O’Connor (Chicago) as Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch. All four stars originated their Anastasia roles in the Hartford Stage cast. Additional cast members will be announced at a later date.

The production is directed by Tony winner Darko Tresnjak (A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder) with a book by Terrence McHally (Master Class) and music and lyrics from Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime), who wrote the Oscar-nominated “Journey to the Past” for the original film. The musical will feature the film’s best songs along with a brand new score.

“After finishing a record breaking run in Hartford, we look forward to bringing the magic of Anastasia to Broadway audiences next spring,” producers Bill Taylor and Tom Kirdahy said. “In Hartford, we saw people ages 8-100 travel from all over the world to enjoy Anastasia’s enduring story. We are thrilled to have Christy, Derek, John and Caroline leading our company again for the Broadway premiere.”

Anastasia opens April 24, 2017 at the Broadhurst Theatre. Tickets go on sale this fall.