Cavod rehearsing for new musical

When Monica DePaul, artistic director for Cavod Theatre, and other Cavod staff members considered musicals to perform, they did not realize immediately that "Anastasia" was a possibility. "We thought, 'Wouldn't it be cool if we could do "Anastasia"?'" recalled DePaul. When Cavod production manager Bergen Sunday reported that the show would be released for production in late 2023, the group was thrilled. "The music is incredible," said DePaul.

"Anastasia - The Musical," will be presented at the Cavod Theatre, 641 W. Main St., New Holland, with a dinner theater at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 1. The show will also be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 8; at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays, March 2 and 9; and at 4 p.m. on Sundays, March 3 and 10.

The show is based on the animated film released in 1997. It is a musical version of the legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, played by Amanda Lewis as an adult and Violet Bartlett as a child. According to the story, Anastasia may have escaped and survived when her family was executed by revolutionaries in 1918. When young woman named Anya (Lewis) with amnesia seeks to discover her past, she is persuaded by two con artists - Dmitry, played by Ric Weaver, and Vlad Popov, played by Josh Glacken, who hope to benefit from Anya's resemblance to Anastasia by passing her off as the Grand Duchess to her paternal grandmother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, played by Joy Schaeffer.

"Anastasia" will include a segment of "Swan Lake" with dancers from Citylight Dance Theatre on pointe and Anna Riley dancing the part of Odette.

DePaul referred to the story as historical fiction. "It has been proven Anastasia did not survive," she noted, adding that she was intrigued by the show's connection to history. "We tend to enjoy doing shows that are rooted in literature and history (because) the stories are so human and deep," DePaul explained, adding that the message of hope in the show was also appealing. "(Audience members) find themselves on a journey and process and who she comes to be on the other side is inspiring," she said. "I hope (attendees) leave with a sense of hope," she said. "We need hope and magic."

The more than 25 musical numbers in "Anastasia" include solos and showstoppers that put the entire cast of 30 on stage. DePaul said that standout songs include "In My Dreams," "Learn to Do It," and "Once Upon a December," with the final song being among the most catchy.

DePaul said she has been challenged by the best ways to utilize all the cast members using only the Cavod stage. Set designers Shana Baloche and Dom Deriso have come to the rescue by designing and building platforms to accommodate the cast. "They have come up with this really cool idea of building arches we can go in and out of and use to create different places and time," said DePaul, who added that the lead character will delve into her childhood memories as part of the plotline. DePaul praised members of the cast and crew, saying, "They are so creative and collaborative, and they are excited to do a show that is so newly available."

Tickets may be purchased at http://www.cavod.org or by calling 717-354-3355 on Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.