This August take a Journey to the Past with the smash hit musical, Anastasia – The Hit Broadway Musical. Opening at the Adelaide Festival Theatre on 2nd August for a limited season, the musical promises a magical night at the theatre for the whole family.
Inspired by the mysterious tale of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov’s rumoured escape in the dawning days of the Russian Revolution, and the 1997 Oscar nominated animated film of the same name, Anastasia has been brought to life on the stage by the Tony Award-winning creative team of Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.
Anastasia is a lavish musical for all ages, transporting audiences from the twilight years of the Imperial rule to the euphoria and exuberance of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman named Anya sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by an army officer determined to silence her, she 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.
The cast features Robert Tripolino as the charming con artist Dmitry, Joshua Robson as the antagonist Gleb, Rodney Dobson as Vlad, the much-loved Rhonda Burchmore as Countess Lil, theatre icon Nancye Hayes AM as the Dowager Empress and Georgina Hopson as Anya.
Glam Adelaide was fortunate to sit down with Georgina over brunch at the Festival Centre’s Angry Penguin Restaurant to discuss Anastasia, Georgina’s love for the show and what she loves so much about theatre.
“It’s so it’s so hard to pinpoint why I love theatre. I really love live acting. I’ve done some screen but I feel like actually doing something live is so unique because that transaction with the audience is so special. It’s such a privilege to be able to do that. I love delving into a story like Anastasia. I’ve absolutely loved nerding out on the history behind the story, it’s such a researcher’s dream. I also love that live performance can be different every night, and I love the challenge of performing a show eight times a week and keeping it fresh, truthful and staying present. I love taking an audience on an adventure through words and music.”
Georgina is an acclaimed performer with an extensive career spanning stage and screen. She trained at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre in 2014. Some of Georgina’s stage credits include Rose Dewitt-Bukater in Titanique, Christine Daaé in Phantom of the Opera and Emma Carew in Jekyll & Hyde.
Music and performing were part of Georgina’s life from a early age.
“I have had such a fun journey to like get to where I am now. Music was a huge part of my childhood because my mum is a musician. She’s actually a doctor and a classical musician. She’s one of those overachievers. So music was a huge part of growing up. I played instruments when I was younger and I was involved in school orchestras and eisteddfods. I also loved dancing and acting and when I was quite young I wanted to be an actor. I got singing lessons and my singing teacher encouraged me to pursue voice further after school. I did a gap year after school as I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and then I did a year of speech pathology and then two years of business, but that whole time I still wanted to pursue musical theatre. Eventually I started auditioning for theatre schools and once I got into uni, that was when the real like work began and I have loved every moment since.”
Anastasia has played 200 performances in Australia, receiving critic acclaim so fair in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. Starting its run at the Festival Theatre on 2nd August, it will be the first main-stage musical to be performed in the Festival Theatre since the new renovations were completed earlier this year.
We asked Georgina what it is about Anastasia that she loves.
“The animated film, Anastasia, was a huge part of my childhood. Journey to the Past and Once Upon a December are those two songs that were like embedded in my imaginative play. I would put on a coat and borrow a necklace from my mum and pretend like I was Anastasia. There’s been a lifelong love of the character. I have loved the music and also the mystery element of the central family. The show itself is so beautiful because it’s like a modern classic. The score is so lush. The writers (Terrence McNally (book), Stephen Flaherty (music) (book), with music by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics)) know how to write a character song and know how to build it. The choreography is also so beautiful. There’s a real classic element to it, but it still feels new and fresh and modern at the same time.”
Georgina shared with Glam Adelaide what it has been like working alongside such an incredible cast.
“The cast is an embarrassment of riches. It is stacked with a wealth and breadth of experience and everyone brings their own unique talents. Of course we have the incredible Nancye Hayes and Rhonda Burchmore who really set the tone and work ethic for us all, and then there are phenomenal singers like Elliot Baker who has the most beautiful solo. They’re all so great and so incredible in what they do, but also lovely people.”
Anastasia – The Hit Broadway Musical will play at the Adelaide Festival Theatre for a limited season from August 2. Tickets are now on sale.
“I can’t wait to experience Adelaide audiences. I’ve heard that they are the loveliest crowds. I’m so, so excited for that. This show is a real treat and perfect for the whole family, young and old, to come out and share a night at the theatre together. It’s going to be a wonderful season and I cannot wait to share this show with Adelaide.”
Anastasia – The Hit Broadway Musical
Adelaide Festival Theatre
From 2nd August 2026
https://anastasiathemusical.com.au/
Photo credit: Jeff Busby and James Terry
