PRINCIPALS

ANYA – Anya’s journey is what the show is all about: her bravery, tenacity and perseverance make her the hero of the story, even though she’s also the princess. An innate likeability and natural sense of comedic timing are both helpful for this street-smart lost princess. This role requires a strong singer and actor, as Anya has multiple solos and must portray a large emotional range throughout the show. Anya sings “Learn to Do It,” “Once Upon a December,” Journey to the Past” and “In a Crowd of Thousands.”

DMITRY – A street urchin turned con artist. Though his career choices aren’t necessarily honest, Dmitry has a heart of gold and ultimately chooses what’s best for Anya, despite what he might want for himself. Dmitry should be played by a mature, responsible performer with innate charm and comic timing. Dmitry must be an excellent actor/singer and a good dancer. Dmitry sings “Learn To Do It,” “My Petersburg” and “In a Crowd of Thousands.”

GLEB VAGANOV – The strait-laced Soviet officer with a softer side who is tasked with locating Anya. Though Gleb is the antagonist of the story, in his mind, he’s the hero – he truly believes in the Soviet cause and is doing his best to be a good soldier. A strong actor and singer is needed in this role and who can understand the nuances of this character. Gleb sings “The Rumors Never End.”

SUPPORTING ROLES (Some actors may be cast as additional ensemble roles for increased stage time)

THE DOWAGER EMPRESS – True royalty, and she knows it.  The actress must encompass both the Dowager Empress’s regal bearing and her deep grief at losing her family. This character should be an excellent actor and singer. The Dowager Empress sings “Once Upon a December.”

LILY – The life of the party! She is the Dowager Empress’s lady-in-waiting, and former royalty herself. She loves everything 1920s Paris has to offer. Lily must be an excellent dancer and good actor and singer. She must have a good sense of comic timing to works well with Vlad. Lily sings “Land of Yesterday.”

YOUNG ANASTASIA – A great role for a younger performer who is ready to take some responsibility onstage and can portray a royal princess. She sings along with the Dowager Empress. 

TSAR NICHOLAS II – Not quite as serious as his mother, the Dowager Empress, especially with his young daughter Anastasia. 

TSARINA ALEXANDRA FYODORONVA – This role requires a dancer who can portray the Tsarina’s regal bearing and excel during the Romanov family’s various appearances throughout the show in Anya’s memories.

The COUNTESS IPOLITOV – A featured acting and singing role with lines and a solo. Cast an actor who can handle the dramatic subject matter of the scene. The Countess Ipolitov sings “Stay, I Pray You.”

COUNT LEOPOLD – A featured acting role. Cast an actor who can make a big impression from a few lines – though the Count isn’t onstage very long, he has to stand up to Lily, so cast someone with a good stage presence. Count Leopold sings “Land of Yesterday.”

The RUSSIAN COURT, including the PHOTOGRAPHER, Anastasia’s THREE SISTERS, her BROTHER, and other members of the COURT – appear throughout the show as figments of Anya’s lost memories. 

LUDA, GALINA, ALEXEI, SASHA, NIKOLA, MIRA, MIKHAIL and the MARKETEERS – These roles require featured lines and solos.

ENSEMBLE (Actors may be cast as more than one character for increased stage time)

The MARKETEERS have a few sung lines, and GORLINSKY, the EXILED RUSSIAN and ANNOUNCER  have spoken lines. The PEOPLE OF PARIS and PEOPLE IN THE NEVA CLUB should be dancers or strong movers. Additional ensemble roles include POLICEMAN 1 and POLICEMAN 2, the RUSSIAN COURT and PEOPLE OF RUSSIA.