Northeastern's only student-led musical theater company presents Anastasia as their main-stage musical this semester. The production is a culmination of the dedication, talent and passion of Northeastern's theater community.
The story of Anastasia, both in the musical and film, follows an amnesiac orphan Anya, who joins con men Dimitri and Vladimir on a journey to Paris that becomes an unexpected journey of identity and destiny. The story is inspired by the myth of Grand Duchess Anastasia, who conspiracy theorists believe survived the 1918 Bolshevik massacre that ended Russia's Romanov dynasty.
Anastasia, the musical, premiered on May 12, 2016 in Connecticut. The film's songwriters, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, returned and comprised 24 new songs for the stage production. A smashing success, it opened on Broadway the following year.
NU Stage Musical Theater Company is bringing Anastasia to campus with a full cast, pit orchestra, and production crew.
Each year, NU Stage produces two main-stage productions, concerts, and musical revues. These are entirely student-run, from direction and choreography to lighting design. The company prides itself on staging professional-quality productions while cultivating an enjoyable experience for students passionate about theater.
For Anastasia, NU Stage has assembled a company of 68 dedicated students who have been working for months to transform the script into a theatrical spectacle.
Vika Maslova is directing NU Stage's production of Anastasia in her last semester at Northeastern. Her vision guides the show, and her connection to Anastasia runs deeper than artistic appreciation.
"Anastasia is an important show to me because it's like a Russian fairy tale, but a very Americanized version of the story," Maslova said. "That's kind of my story, my parents are Russian immigrants. I was born here, so I have a Russian heritage but more of an American upbringing. So it was kind of a really good melting point of my life."
Maslova's directorial approach includes historical research, staging techniques, and hands-on leadership that touches every element of the show. Her passion for theater and directing this specific production stems from the opportunity to blend cultural authenticity with storytelling.
"I've been sourcing war period accurate war uniforms, making banners and communist posters to really transport people to Russia 1927," Maslova said. "What makes this version of Anastasia unique is how we're approaching the historical context while honoring the emotional heart of the story. At the end of the day, it's a cute story that I just love."
Joy Ann Wolfe, a cast member, has always had performing close to her heart. She loves the feeling of the stage.
"Everybody has their thing in life. Whether it be sports, academia, crafting, whatever it is, mine is performance. The stage is where the deepest desires of my heart are satisfied," she said.
As an ensemble member, Wolfe brings depth and character to each scene.
"One principle that I maintain is that no role is too small," Wolfe said. "I try to really embody my characters, giving them a clear attitude and motivation in a scene."
Anastasia's story of redefining one's relationship with their past and self appealed to Wolfe.
"The story of self-discovery really resonated with me. Just like Anya is able to reconnect with her past and her home, I was able to reconnect with mine," she said.
While the performers captivate audiences on stage, another important element of the production shaping the show is the orchestra pit.
This marks the first NU Stage production for Melvin Cheng, who serves as both the assistant pit director and violinist. His roles offer him insight into the various roles of the pit orchestra and how they bring musicals to life.
"It is up to the pit to be able to make sure that they're able to get those timings right and able to help portray that character," Cheng said. "[The actors] need to know that they will have a supporting pit that is going to be able to help them and support them when they're singing."
As assistant pit director, Melvin works closely with the pit director to ensure the orchestra successfully plays to the actors' performances, subtly varying from show to show.
Cheng said, "It is very important that you have a strong pit that's able to adapt and be able to change for any environment." He emphasized that no two performances are identical. The orchestra actively supports the actors' performances, adapting to subtle variations in timing and emotion expression.
The pit orchestra creates the musical foundation for Anastasia, as the choreography pairs physical expression with the emotional journey.
Margot Murphy's role as assistant choreographer was unanticipated. Her involvement began when she offered Benjamin Tadmor, head choreographer, help with teaching the ballroom dances of the production.
"Benjamin and I do Northeastern Ballroom Dance Club together and ballroom dance is a very pivotal element in Anastasia," Murphy said. "I offered to help him teach because ballroom is a partner dance, and I got roped into it."
After helping Tadmor, he encouraged her to apply for the assistant choreographer position.
The process of choreographing any show, but especially ballroom sequences, is deeply detail-oriented and collaborative. "I will be with him in Ryder, usually for four to five hours beforehand, going through the first 20 seconds of a dance break, trying to piece together a bunch of different sequences," Murphy said.
For Murphy, watching the cast's growth has been especially rewarding. "Seeing how far these musical theater kids have come from having no experience in one of the most complicated and difficult dances in ballroom to now being able to hold their own is really satisfying," she said.
Seeing this growth, alongside watching the production come to life, has made her unexpected journey into the production staff all the more fulfilling.
At the core of any production is the director's vision. Maslova's directing means serving as both creative compass and coordinator. "It's definitely a lot of coordinating and continuity," she said. "Making sure that things look cohesive and making sure that our props are on the same page as our set, that our set is on the same page as our stage managing team." This communication ensures that all elements support the storytelling.
While the director shapes the overall vision, it's the performers who bring it to life. The cast, from lead roles to ensemble members, connect with the audience.
Wolfe said, "Every character, named or not, is an opportunity to enrich the story and dynamics of the musical."
Each performer develops their character with intention and purpose, as their presence affects each scene. The ensemble builds the atmosphere of the story, establishing the world that makes the lead characters' journeys feel meaningful.
The pit orchestra provides the emotional and musical foundation that the show is built on. "There's no same show," Cheng observes, about the orchestra's adaptive role. "Every time you see a show on Broadway, every time you see a show from a high school production, it's never the same… Some actors portray the character a bit differently every time," he said.
For Murphy, the reward comes in seeing her creative vision materialize. "Being able to participate in a student-run production and help and be part of it and make decisions that actually impact the show is very interesting and fun," she says, capturing the sense of ownership and accomplishment that drives these dedicated artists.
The integration of these elements culminates in an impressive theatrical experience that you do not want to miss.
For Maslova, the show offers a welcome escape during a demanding academic semester, "I think people should see Anastasia because I think everyone needs a story, a little fairy tale in their life," she said. "We're right in the middle of finals, and I think everyone just needs to take a second and breathe in and think about all the good things in life."
The musical showcases extraordinary talent, demonstrating what creatives can accomplish through dedication and collaboration. This celebrates Northeastern's artistic community and invites others to experience it.
Performances of Anastasia will take place on April 17 and 21 in Blackman Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. You can grab your free tickets on Northeastern's ticket website.