Even as Ovation Theatre Company prepares to open Alice by Heart on July 17, they are busy preparing for Anastasia, with the two summer blockbusters being presented on consecutive weekends at the Derry Opera House.
From Tony winners Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, Anastasia transports its audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.
The show starts and ends with the grandiose Dowager Empress of Russia, brought to life by Erin Fehlau. “She is in search of Anastasia. It’s all about her search to find her granddaughter, who she was so connected to and loved so much. She lost her whole family, and talk of a rumor that (Anastasia) could still be alive keeps her going.”
After winning the NH Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Quasimodo last year, Eric Berthiaume returns to the Ovation stage as the con man Dmitry. “He’s kind of a street rat and his true purpose is to get out of poverty, get out of Russia and do what he needs to do to survive.” Despite his plans to manipulate Anya, “he finds that she is very much his equal. It’s a journey of love, of self-reflection and finding out who you truly are and what you believe in.”
Nate Abell plays Dmitry’s partner in crime, Vlad. “He’s the comic relief. He’s a paternal figure for Dmitry and Anya, but he wants to be part of high society. He’s in love with Lily, but is not above using her for his own personal gain.”
Anastasia is led by Director Meg Gore, Music Director Sarah Herron, Choreographer Katy Gore, Assistant Music Director Jake Doble, Assistant Choreographers Ryan Kaplan and Jonathan Uber, and Stage Manager Ava Leahy.
Anastasia includes a cast of adult actors drawn from all over New Hampshire and Massachusetts, with two child roles being covered by four young actors. Cast members are Fred Brown, Jennifer Brown and Randy Williams of Londonderry; Kyle Daly, Nick Ford and Kaylee Gifford of Derry; and Jonathan Uber of Hudson; Levi Freilich of Hampstead; Erin Fehlau, Jonathan Kaplan, Ryan Kaplan and Zachary Weller of Windham; Jake Doble and Janet Sesay of Manchester; Eric Berthiaume and Kelsey Berthiaume of Merrimack; Camille Bishop, Shannon Bolser and Elizabeth Vando of Bedford; Emma Lucia Anderson of Nashua; Nick Thissell of Bow; John Putnam of Newton; Lucas Ross of Plaistow; Clara Curtis and Ryan Curtis of Brentwood; Heather Schmidt of Lee; Tomiko Nicholson of Lowell, Mass.; Jonathan Wisco of North Reading, Mass.; Kat Plano of Reading, Mass.; Cianna Magdalena and Via Richardson Brown of Dracut, Mass; Fiona Angelone of Methuen, Mass; Charlotte Feole-Lundy of Merrimac, Mass; Elyse Holmes and Elizabeth Robinson of Westford, Mass; Jen Cardarelli of Middleton, Mass; Nathaniel Abell of Beverly, Mass.; and Katy Gore of Northampton, Mass.
Anastasia will be presented on Thursday, July 23 and Friday, July 24 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 25 at 1 and 7 p.m., at the Derry Opera House, 29 West Broadway, Derry.
On Saturday, July 25, after the 1 p.m. show, audience members will have an opportunity to meet Anastasia and take pictures with her.
Tickets for both summer shows are on sale at ovationtc.com. Tickets for adults are $25 through July 9 and $28 beginning July 10; for students/seniors, tickets are $22 through July 9 and $25 beginning July 16. With Alice by Heart shows on July 17 and 18, Ovation is offering a 10% discount for a pass that includes 1 ticket for each of the two summer shows.