Review: 'Anastasia' by Amity Creative Theater

WOODBRIDGE, CT - The Amity Creative Theater is presenting an authentic production of the musical “Anastasia,” with a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. I was honored to be allowed to attend the first public performance and experience the beauty of the work that was inspired by the motion picture of the same name.

The musical transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman, Anya, sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

I had the honor of seeing one of the first performances of this beautiful musical at Hartford Stage before it moved on to Broadway, so my expectations were high on opening night under the stars in the senior parking lot on the Amity High School campus.

The Amity students, many of them now Amity graduates, performed on a uniquely shaped stage under large white tents set up on the paved parking lot. It is certainly not the performance space that the school has used for the past 13 years, but after two long years, Amity Creative Theater is back.

Director Rob Kennedy’s note in the program is a comprehensive list of his gratitude to everyone involved in bringing back live theatre at the regional high school after 26 months. The planned “Drowsy Chaperone” never happened. He also issues a heartfelt goodbye to his colleague Jonathan Furst who is retiring this year after 23 years of teaching English and Film, as well as serving as the Arts Department Chair at Amity. Congratulations and a long and happy retirement to Mr. Furst.

Mr. Kennedy and his wife Andrea Kennedy once again set high standards for the Amity students and they rose to them. Mrs. Kennedy, assisted by Kelsey Sullivan, designed the great choreography.

Grace Blanchard, a senior from Bethany, gives a very strong performance in the role of Anya/Anastasia, with a beautiful singing voice. Ms. Blanchard, who has been in seven previous Amity shows, is a talented triple threat.

Senior Ryan Kennedy pours himself into the role of Dmitry in his sixth and final Amity production. I will very much miss seeing talent on the Amity stage when he heads to the Syracuse University Department of Drama. Graduating senior Nick Matalote of Orange aged up and made us laugh as Dmitry’s co-conspirator Vlad Popv.

Junior Nolan Young of Orange did well as the long arm of the law Gleb Vaganov in his fourth Amity production. Olivia Sceppa, a sophomore from Orange, convincingly plays the aging Dowager Empress, Anastasia’s grandmother. Recognition is deserved for the ballet dancing of Ashley Dorais, a junior from Woodbridge, as Odette in the scenes from “Swan Lake” as well as the other Swan Lake dancers.

Brynn Wiersman, a junior from Orange who has been performing since the age of four, danced and sang wonderfully in the role of Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch, and had great chemistry with the man who returns to her life. Spencer Fiske, a sophomore from Bethany, shines in the role of Count Ipolitiof. Corey Richards, a junior from Orange, takes on the roles of Tsar Nicholas II, Sergei the Doorman and Drunk 1.

Shout outs to the youngest performers in the cast: third grade student Rylee Maxwell (sister of McKenna) as Young Anastasia Romanov and seven year old Steven Rizzotti as Alexei in his Amity debut.

Some of the costumes designed by Julie Chevan and Brenda Burt were provided by Costume World Theatrical in Florida and the heavy gowns and military uniforms were true to the Romanov period. The lighting of the tent designed by Dan Hassenmayer was surprisingly effective; the outdoor tent seemingly offered some opportunities for very unique effects, especially in “The Last Dance of the Romanovs.” I was impressed at how the director managed to bring the train out of Russia onto the runway section of the stage.

The 17 members of the orchestra made the most of the lovely “Anastasia” score, seated at the back of the stage behind an open curtain and directed, as always, by Phil Dolan. Marcia Rizzotti served as musical director.

It was so good to see that the hefty 8 ½ by 11 inch printed program was back, packed with ads and photos of the cast. The 72 pages would have been a nightmare to navigate in virtual form.

“Anastasia” is presented with one 15-minute intermission. Folding chairs have been tied together with zip ties to meet fire code regulations, but the rows are short. Restrooms are available in the school building and masks must be worn in order to enter the building. Masks are available for anyone who may have forgotten to bring one. I would recommend bringing a jacket for when the sun goes down, some bug spray and a print out of the order receipt if you can.

“Journey to the Past” with the Amity students and graduates at a remaining performance on June 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26. Click for tickets.

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Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue.

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