“Anastasia,” Seattle Pacific University Theatre’s latest production, will open curtains on Feb. 7. The musical takes place in 1927 and follows a Russian woman with amnesia named Anya, on her quest to discover if she is Anastasia, the long lost Grand Duchess to the Dowager Emperor in Paris. Eventually she finds herself accompanied by two conmen, Dmitry and Vlad, as she they make their way to Paris while being pursued by Deputy Commissioner Gleb.
Anya is played by third-year Josephine Patridge, who is minoring in theater design and theater performance while pursuing an honors major. Partridge has a long history with musicals, but Anastasia will be her first time singing in the E.E. Bach Theatre at SPU.
“I’ve always walked by this building since it was my first day on campus and thought ‘I wish I could be there,”’ Partridge said. “I’ve always wanted to be in a production here and be a part of this community so it actually means so much to me to be here and doing this and I would really rather be nowhere else every night.”
Accompanying her onstage as Vlad is Dutch VanOmmen, who most recently starred in SPU Theatre’s stage reading of “The Thanksgiving Play.” VanOmmen has never been in a musical before, but is ready for the challenge.
“It’s all very technical work, and having the orchestra involved along with all the other voices and duetting and things like that, I’ve never done that before,” VanOmmen said.
The difference in style has allowed him to better connect to the character of Vlad. “It’s a lot slower of a process than I’m used to, which has helped me hold onto my character a heck of a lot more,” VanOmmen said.
Fourth-year computer science major Daniel Mercado, who was also in The Thanksgiving Play, is similarly challenged by the musical though he has plenty of experience with musicals.
“I’ve done musicals for years, so the style of musical theater is nothing new,” Mercado said. “I would say the level of difficulty though, is a huge challenge. A challenge that I’m willing to take on, but I’ve never had music quite as difficult as this. It’s very high, it’s very technical, and it’s a lot of very tiny little things that add up to make a whole experience. If you’re ever so slightly off on some songs, it’s kind of a catastrophe.”
Keeping the production together is first-year nursing major Cassidy Hutt, making her debut as stage manager.
“I absolutely fell in love with being a stage manager,” Hutt said. “It’s so much fun getting to be at every rehearsal. Seeing the show grow, seeing everyone grow as people. I absolutely can’t say enough about this experience. It’s been so much fun.”
Stage managing Anastasia has meant a great deal to Hutt, and has allowed her to better connect with like minded students.
“I wouldn’t change it for the world, it’s been the best experience of my life. It does have its times where it’s tough, but this cast has been absolutely incredible. I love everyone in it.”
Anastasia shows on Feb. 7-8 and Feb. 14-15. Tickets are on sale now at https://sputheatre.ludus.com/index.php
