Anastasia (NYC) NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (2,109)
See it if You like old-fashioned Broadway shows
Don't see it if You need it to reflect true history
See it if You enjoyed the animated film or the original Ingrid Bergman film
Don't see it if you prefer contemporary musicals like a Next To Normal or Dear Evan Hansen over epic scores like Les Miz
See it if you need a blissful evening of enchanting songs, sets, and costumes; delicious physical comedy; charming actors giving their all—such fun!!
Don't see it if you don't want to feel uplifted, charmed, or cajoled into smiling and oohing a lot ... oh & getting goose bumps on occasion from the magic!!
See it if You want to be royally entertained. Excellent, delightful, fresh take on the animated film. Altomaire and cast are wonderful.
Don't see it if Why wouldn't you if you like good musicals . If you don't like the story of Anastasia no matter how freshly presented Read more
See it if Dont miss this show ending March 31st. I won the lottery and seats were great. Gorgeous sets and costumes. Singing great. Story is very good
Don't see it if Dont hesitate if you are hung up on knowing the true story of Anastasia. The play makes it work and it's still historically accurate. GO!
See it if You love bright beautiful costumes, sets, and a wonderful story-line.
Don't see it if You dislike flashy musicals with extravagant sets. Read more
See it if You want fluff and get lost in a Disney type fairy tale. Good costumes and excellent singing and dancing.
Don't see it if You don't like Disney like fairy tales.
See it if you want to feel good about life. Besides fantastic singing, there are also great ballet and dancing in the show.
Don't see it if you don't like stories which have results that might not match real historical facts.
Critic Reviews (53)
"'Anastasia' winds up promoting nostalgia for the last reign of the Romanovs, those elegantly attired autocrats who sponsored pogroms against the Jews...If the songs don’t offer the same power or allure as their scores for 'Ragtime,' they are a clever and melodic enough accompaniment for what is the real strength of this production–its beautiful design and its wonderful cast...How the plot plays out will surprise no one, but there are some palpable delights along the way."
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"Gloriously brought to life...Director Tresnjak weaves a truly enchanting spell thanks in part to his casting of Christy Altomare. With her pure singing voice, appealing stage presence and strong acting choices, Altomare has that illusive 'it factor' that makes you care about her...This score is tuneful and scrumptious...It also helps when you have incredibly powerful vocals from Altomare, Karimloo and Klena. Terrence McNally’s book keeps us on the edge of our seats and weaves a romantic air."
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"A muddled, pro-Czarist Russia musical for the Trump era...It’s a show that pays homage to the kleptocracy that was the Romanovs of Russia. How could our president not be thrilled?...Terrence McNally’s book goes through so many contortions on the subject of Anastasia...Christy Altomare and Derek Klena display pretty singing voices, and otherwise show as much depth as the animated-film characters their roles are based on."
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"It may go over with the 'Wicked'-'Annie'-'Matilda' tween-girl crowd, but this live cartoon is not for adults...Tresnjak’s broadly played production is like one of those combination rides and shows at Disney World...Echoes of greater musicals abound...The competent cast led by Altomare and Klena earn their paychecks but rarely rise above the stale script. Only Caroline O’Connor as a buffoonish countess and Mary Beth Peil as the stern Empress create an original impression."
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"An old-fashioned book musical with a ravishing score, expressive, illuminating lyrics, significant talent, remarkable visuals, war, deception, and love...‘Anastasia’ might be considered a primer for well-conceived musicals. Numbers organically elaborate on dialogue. Comic relief appears after quiet intensity. Past and present occupy the stage with cohesive luster...Altomare is grave and radiant. We’re with her every step of the way. Warm vocals wonder and soar."
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“The intermittent pleasures of this bright, historical fairy tale are difficult to deny outright, even for those in deep denial about their own tiara-tinged aspirations…For a Russian epic spanning 30 years, Tresnjak’s staging is mercifully simple and deftly executed…But it’s a bold and appealing score, which includes new songs written for the stage, that makes 'Anastasia' float, showcasing the powerful voices of its cast and weaving memorable moments into a standard fairy tale.”
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"The stage adaptation is an uneven mash-up of the animated film as well as the 1956 film of the same name...The integration of the two plot lines was not nearly as polished or seamless as it needed to be...Overall, the new tunes are quite good, though the historical ones felt a touch out of the world...A visual triumph...Come for the music, stay for Aaron Rhyne’s breathtaking projection design...This production is a technological game changer. But it’s not perfect."
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"More power ballads have been added to the pretty but dispiritingly predictable story of Anastasia...Tony-winning director Darko Tresnjak keeps everything moving attractively along. But there is little he can do with a vapid story that has absolutely no context for a revolution that, in this version of history, only turns out paupers and bureaucratic puppets...Christy Altomare is strong as Anya."
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