SHOW DESCRIPTION:
DIRECTOR(S):
Sarah Oschmann and Kathleen Atwood
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Natalie Crino
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Justin Simone
CHOREOGRAPHER: Chris Guerin and Cassie Guerin
STAGE MANAGER: Anthony Archambault
The story moves from St. Petersburg during the Russian Revolution (1907 and 1917) to the glamour of Paris in 1927. Anya joins forces with Dmitry (a dashing con man) and Vlad (an ex-aristocrat) to convince the wealthy, exiled Dowager Empress that Anya is her lost granddaughter while a relentless Soviet office named Gleb pursues the trio, torn between his political duty and his growing feelings for Anya.
TIME COMMITMENT:
Rehearsals: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday
PERFORMANCE DATES:
(9) total performances
April 23, 24, 25, 30, May 1, 2, 7, 8, 9
MATERIALS & REQUIREMENTS:
Please plan to arrive at the start time and stay until the end time. Arrive early for parking and paperwork.
Auditions will include music, dance and reading auditions. Audition materials will be available in the drop-box outside the theater doors at least 2 weeks before the audition dates. Please only take one copy of the role(s) you are auditioning for.
Be prepared with music and no more than 32 bars of song. Use of your own track is encouraged. If not using a track, bring your own sheet music. A pianist will be available.
No a cappella singing. We strongly suggest performing a number from the show, or something similar in style in your vocal range.
Everyone will be expected to learn and perform a brief piece of choreography. Wearing comfortable shoes and clothing is recommended.
We are actively seeking and welcoming actors of all races, ethnicity, national origin, religion, mental and physical abilities, sexual/affectional orientation, gender and its expression.
Should you have specific needs or you have questions or concerns, please contact katwood7@icloud.com or soschmann@tnect.org.
AVAILABLE ROLES:
CHARACTER AGE RANGE: F & M 5 – ageless
Please note: Age references are that of the character, not the actor.
Anya/Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanov (Female) Late 20s, Soprano/Mezzo belt: Anya is brave, fiery, witty, and above all determined. With no memory of her life before age 17 and having lived through the horrors of the Russian Revolution, Anya jumps at the sound of gunshots and is distrustful of strangers, but there is steel hiding just beneath the surface. Anya is strong-willed and compassionate. Her mantra, “Home, love, family” is her goal. All she knows is her family is in Paris and she will find them however she can.
Dmitry Sudayev (Male) Late 20s, Baritenor: Dmitry is a scoundrel with a heart of gold. A street rat who grew into a conman, Dima does all he does to get out of poverty and is not above lying, cheating, and stealing to do so–that is until he meets Anya. What starts as just another scheme (albeit much bigger than anything he’s tried to pull off before) turns into the adventure of a lifetime that requires Dimitry to look inward and figure out how to put the one he loves before himself.
Vladimir “Vlad” Popov (Male) Mid-40s-Early 50s, Baritone: Vlad is Dmitry’s partner in crime (literally) and surrogate father. Before the revolution he scammed his way through society pretending to be a count. Vlad is dramatic, crafty, and a big softie at heart. While he, like Dmitry, is not above lying, cheating, and stealing, he cares greatly for his loved ones and is generally affable, though he can be calculating when he needs to be.
Deputy Commissioner Gleb Vaganov (Male) Mid-30s, Baritone: Gleb is the villain of the show, though not a bad person. He fully believes in the Communist ideals he follows. Loyal, honest, and hard working, Gleb almost has the potential to be a hero (he’s very much the hero of his own story). A deeply conflicted person, Gleb’s infatuation (and borderline obsession) with Anya leads to his battle with the idea of doing one’s duty vs. doing what is right.
Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch (Female) Early 40s, Jazzy Mezzo: Lily is the lady in waiting to the Dowager Empress. She has been by the Dowager’s side since before the revolution. Lily is clever, dutiful, and above all fun (when not working for the Dowager). She deals with her exile from Russia with a sort of resigned dark humor…and a LOT of vodka. She and Vlad were once an item (unbeknownst to her oblivious husband) and rekindle their romance upon re-uniting.
Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna Romanov (Female) Mid-Late 70s, Mezzo: The Dowager Empress has lost everything she once held dear and must now put up with imposter upon imposter never allowing her to grieve in peace. She is icy, proud, and regal (not to mention intimidating) to all but her family. Though, she does have a very sharp wit. She is especially warm with Anastasia both when a child and after it’s revealed that Anya really is the princess. She commands authority and attention the minute she enters a room.
Tsar Nicholas II (Male) 50, Baritone: Anastasia's loving and protective father.
Tsarina Alexandra (Female) 46, Mezzo: Anastasia's stern, paranoid, and devout mother.
Young Anastasia / Ensemble (Female) 5-7, Child soprano : Young Anastasia is the willful, brave, proud, and precocious youngest daughter of the Tsar. She has a special bond with her grandmother (whom she calls Nana).
Older Anastasia / Ensemble (Female) 9-11: As above.
Alexei / Ensemble (Male) 13: Alexei was the Tsarevich (Heir to the throne) and only boy of the Romanov siblings. He suffered from debilitating hemophelia that often left him bed-ridden. Anya mentions that he was her best friend.
Ensemble (Female/Male/Children various ages): Ensemble plays Romanov Family, Townsfolk, Royal Servants, Bolshevik Officers and Soldiers, Parisians, Reporters, and Aristocrats.