Anastasia will warm your heart and fill your soul with music - a magical night at the theatre
Presented by: John Frost for Crossroads Live, Opera Australia and Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed: 5 August, 2026
Anastasia — The Hit Broadway Musical has opened in Adelaide at the Festival Theatre to a well deserved standing ovation. This production is as near to perfect as you can get. Faultless performances, stunning costumes, lighting and visuals, seamless scene transitions, crystal-clear audio and exceptional music make this production the perfect night at the theatre for the whole family.
In a very unsettling time for Australian theatre. It is pleasing to see productions like Anastasia continuing their seasons around the country. This production is worth its weight in gold. It is everything you could hope for in a production. Every element complements the next and as a whole, the production is a real treat for the audience.
Anastasia is inspired by the mysterious story of the rumoured escape of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov in the early days of the Russian Revolution. Don’t expect a historically accurate story, as Anastasia is very much a work of historical fiction. The stage production is lovingly adapted from the 1997 Oscar-nominated animated film, crafted for the stage by the Tony Award-winning creative team of Terrence McNally (book), Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics).
This stunning musical follows the story of Anya who sets out to discover the mysteries of her past. She is pursued by an army officer (Gleb) who is determined to silence her. She engages the assistance of a conman (Dimitry) and ex-aristocrat (Vlad) and they journey together on an epic adventure to help her find the truth to her past.
This cast is exceptional. The creative and casting team behind Anastasia have left no stone unturned in their search to find the cream of the Australian musical theatre crop. The ensemble switches seamlessly between an array of characters and vocally leaves you spellbound. Their vocal blend, tone and harmonies are some of the best you will ever hear. Standout moments from the ensemble came from Elliot Baker and his haunting solo in Stay, I Pray You accompanied by the ensemble and Joseph Freer on cello and the fine ballet work from Davis Giotopoulos Moore, Sophia Bae and Nathan Stafford throughout Quartet at the Ballet.
For the opening night performance Audrey Burnett shone as Little Anastasia. Burnett shows a promising future in musical theatre, giving an impressive performance. It is clear that she is dedicated to her craft, showcasing her extensive dance and vocal training. There are four incredible Little Anastasias, all from Adelaide, sharing this role across the season and I’m sure Isla Bahrami, Daisy Goodall and Aria Piteo will all give an equally impressive performance.
Joshua Robson as Gleb was excellent. Vocally, Robson’s voice will melt you. It is rich, warm and he has the most magical tonal quality. Robson has found great depth in this role and his resolve toward the end of Act 2 will have you feeling every emotion the character is going through. Robson’s performance of Still will send shivers through your body.
Rodney Dobson and Robert Tripolino are a sensational pairing as Vlad and Dmitry. They work extremely well together, bringing lots of light and shade to these two roles. Tripoli’s voice is a real feast for your ears, especially his moving performance of Everything to Win. Dobson’s scene work is well crafted and equally impressive vocally. Dobson and Tripolino’s duet A Rumor in St Petersburg showcases their excellent vocal blend.
Nancye Hayes’s Dowager Empress was a true masterclass in stagecraft. Every move, every glance and every word is perfectly placed, adding an extra layer to this role. Hayes really pulls at your heartstrings through her performance, showing her dissolve from a heartbroken and stern old woman to finding closure by reconnecting with her long-lost Anastasia. Hayes is true theatre royalty and the opportunity to see her perform is one that will be cherished for a long time.
Speaking of theatre royalty, Rhonda Burchmore is perfectly cast as Countess Lily. Burchmore has found every moment of humour in the Countess and has made this role her own. High energy, brilliant choreography and stunning vocals make Burchmore a sensational performer who always gives her all in everything she does. Her big act 2 number Land of Yesterday is a show-stopper. Burchmore’s scene work with Dobson was brilliant, often leaving the audience in fits of laughter.
As Anya, Georgina Hopson is spectacular. Her pure, bell-like voice rings out with such clarity and depth. The iconic songs In My Dreams, Once Upon a December and Journey to the Past were faultless; it is such a treat to hear Hopson perform. Her character work is equally impressive, bringing real depth to the role. Her performance alone is worth the ticket price. There is also a wonderful sense of goofiness in her early portrayal of Anya that brings out the fun nature of the role.
The music and lyrics by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, supported by Doug Besterman’s orchestrations are deeply moving. From toe-tapping numbers through to heart-wrenching ballads, the score for Anastasia is truly memorable. Musical Director David Piper has brought out the very best in the vocal side of the production, as well as producing a full and lush sound from his incredible orchestra. The emotions brought on by the music hit hard.
The production values for Anastasia are brilliant. All the elements work seamlessly together, from Darko Tresnjak’s direction and Peggy Hickey’s choreography right through to Alexander Dodge’s set design, Linda Cho’s costume design, Donald Holder’s lighting design, Peter Hylenski’s sound design and Aaron Rhyne’s video design. I personally am not usually a fan of video elements, but the visuals in Anastasia, along with the advancement of video technology, are sensational and blend perfectly with the physical elements of the set. The train sequence is an absolute standout, as is the end of act one during the song Journey to the Past.
Anastasia — The Hit Broadway Musical is playing in Adelaide until the end of August at the Festival Theatre. It is stunning and elegant. The story of hope, love and belonging will warm your heart and leave you wrapped in a warm embrace. This production is one for the whole family and is truly the most magical night at the theatre.
Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff
Photo credit: Jeff Busby
Venue: Adelaide Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: Until 30th August, 2026
Duration: 2 hours and 25 minutes (including a 20 minute intermission)
Tickets: From $69.90 (plus booking fee)
Bookings: https://anastasiathemusical.com.au/
