The Drama Department is waltzing its way to presenting Anastasia, the first Broadway production done at West. While several period pieces have already been performed, this show features a pivotal time in history centered around one of the most famous families in Russia: the Romanovs. The audience is taken back to the town of St. Petersburg during the Russian Revolution when the country was under Bolshevik Communism. While it is known that the royal family of Russia, the Romanovs, are dead, one daughter may still be alive. The Dowager Empress offers reward money to anyone who can find and return her granddaughter, Anastasia. Director Renae Hubbard is ecstatic to be putting on such a unique but demanding production.
“It’s [“Anastasia”] beautiful, it’s princess-y, it’s got heart to it and it’s a different story than a normal musical; it’s like a history,” Hubbard said. “It’s about believing in yourself and in your life and knowing that family is what you make of it,”
Due to the large cast size, many of the leads were assigned to two students for each role. Junior Addison Nix, one of the two Anastasias (performing Wednesday, March 20 and Friday, March 22), is happy to have received the role and is thrilled to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a princess.
“I was very shocked [that I got the part] but I was so happy because it’s technically like a princess, and that’s my dream role,” Nix said.
Junior Reese Gardner, performing Anastasia (Thursday, March 21 and Saturday, March 23), shares the same love for this opportunity.
“I auditioned because “Anastasia” has been one of my dream shows since I was little. I always wanted to dance to “Once Upon a December,” so learning that I got Anastasia and was able to not only sing the song but be such a big part in the show was nothing short of a dream come true,” Gardner said.
With more than 50 students, the cast is considered one of the largest the department has had for a single production. Therefore, a strong, responsible student director is needed to ensure everyone stays focused, calm and collected.
“It’s a lot of using my outside voice, but they’re usually pretty good for me and I can remind them of the task at hand and they can get back to business. They’re all so talented and hardworking and I really appreciate everything they’ve done for this show,” senior Student Director Caroline Hoover said.
Senior Student Choreographer Ryann Perry has loved working with the cast and using her knowledge of dance to make this performance successful.
“It’s [the choreography] definitely a different style; “Bye Bye, Birdie” was pretty feel-good, jazzy type choreography. “Anastasia” has a lot more ballet and ballroom. I really enjoy using my knowledge from my many years of competitive dance and applying it to many different styles,” senior Student Choreographer Ryann Perry said.
This year, the tech crew has their work cut out for them, determined to make this set stand out to support the award-winning musical.
“Past shows, we haven’t really had a set that’s as big as this and as complicated. It’s a lot more complicated, a lot more detail for the set and there’s a lot of hidden elements to it, like the music box being something we use as a prop in the show and it’s part of the set,” senior Crew Chief Karena Richardson said.
“They’re really talented and they make me laugh even when I’m supposed to focus. I’ve had many of the older kids for three or four years now and just seeing them come to life in the show; I’m just like a proud mom,” Hubbard said.
Take this journey to the past and support these talented students in “Anastasia” March 21-23 at 7 p.m. in the Anderson Performing Arts Center. Tickets will also be available for $10 at the door.