Anastasia
at Bishop Ireton High School

Reviewed on April 2, 2022

Layan Masri
Annandale High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Poverty, invasion, loss and schemes-- the Russian revolution of the early 1900s is tastefully explored in Bishop Ireton's production of Anastasia. The musical is adapted from the 1997 Disney movie and provides an alternative and more realistic twist on the overlooked Disney animated film.

The story begins in St. Petersburg, Russia, during the First World War when the Bolsheviks attack a ball and execute the Romanov family beginning the Russian revolution. Recovering from economic destruction, the year is now 1927 and a poverty-stricken Russia is uplifted by a rumor that the princess Anastasia survived the attack. Upon hearing this rumor, two conmen, Dmitry and Vlad (Aidan Foley and Aidan Furey), concoct a ploy to train a naïve girl as the princess to win the reward money set out by the Dowager Empress, Anastasia's grandma (Vivian Spendley). The pair select an amnesiac girl, Anya (Sofia Cruz), to be the puppet of their ploy. As Anya begins to recollect detailed memories that align with Anastasia's life, people, and Anya herself, she begins to question: is she the real princess Anastasia?

The actors generally maintained great energy to illustrate the despair and hopelessness of communist Russia and the lightheartedness and joy of Paris. A spine-chilling number "Stay, I Pray You" captured the true desolation of St. Petersburg. Another highlight was a remarkable train sequence in which moving set pieces, choreography, and the ensemble's grief are utilized during "We'll Go from There" to create an unforgettable piece.

Sofia Cruz had breathtaking vocals and carried sophistication in her physicality with constant engagement and reactions. There was great differentiation between the sadness and anger that came with her unknown past, determination and playfulness in the present, and the eerie similarities she carried from the past into the present. Accompanied by the charming and charismatic Aidan Foley as Dmitry, the pair established great chemistry. Notable character development was seen as Dmitry grew to be compassionate and trusting as opposed to the self-involved traits he began with.

Vlad and Lily (Melanie Becker) provided much needed comedic relief bringing rejoicing through their convincing romance to the gloomy. The pair worked great together but also individually to uplift and add humble perspective. Gleb (Aidan McNerney) was a fan favorite. The obvious character work McNerney had done, combined with strict posture and austere tone, all contrasted with his euphonious voice allowing for his memorable character. The Dowager Empress stood out during her solo where the outcome of her cynical grief and pain was expressed. This was later overcome with the incredibly overwhelming reunion with her granddaughter creating a remarkable moment.

Costumes were evidently researched to capture the time period. A neutral palette was used for the impoverished Russians as opposed to the brightly colored traditional outfits of the 20's. Light pastel pinks and yellows were used in the student-made Romanov family ball gowns. Creative lighting techniques helped convey location and mood, with brighter white light showing the youth and liveliness of Paris, contrasting the darker, warmer lights for the dull streets of Russia. Ominous blue lighting intensified as the memories of Anya's past grew stronger, and red lighting exhibited the Bolshevik communists. The intricate set design included multiple moving platforms and pieces allowing for explicit storytelling while adapting the relatively minimalistic set pieces for different locations by adding various accessories to serve multiple roles.

Concluding this journey to the past, the talented actors, technicians, crew and company at Bishop Ireton High School allowed for the exceptional production of Anastasia as one for the history books!

Isabella Jackson
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

"I will ask you one last time, young woman, be very careful what you answer: who are you?" Our heroine, Anya, replies, "I don't know anymore. Who are you?" A story that tackles the complex themes of identity, honesty, and family, Anastasia at Bishop Ireton High School splendidly portrayed the nuance of discovering and being true to oneself.

Inspired by the Disney movie of the same name, Anastasia follows the story of an imaginative girl who can't quite remember her past. The death of the Romanov family and their missing daughter is a legend that consumes everyone's curiosity. Many people claim to be the infamous Anastasia, but to no avail, as the Dowager Empress knows exactly who she is looking for. When two men, Vlad and Dmitry come upon a girl with lost memory, they concoct a plan to have her claim to be Anastasia so they can collect a reward.

With such an emotionally compelling and demanding story, it is no small feat to lead this spectacle. Even so, the title character Anastasia (or Anya) was tactfully portrayed by Sofia Cruz. Cruz masterfully balanced the wistful nature of struggling to remember her past and a strong-willed girl who is striving to discover her true identity. She was always fully engrossed in her character, and her storytelling throughout her songs helped propel and clarify the narrative. Alongside her was Dmitry, portrayed by Aidan Foley, and Vlad portrayed by Aidan Furey. Each actor had a very strong stage presence as well as developed physicality. Foley artfully portrayed Dmitry's arc, which transformed him from a snarky conman to a compassionate friend and lover. Meanwhile, Furey's physicality and comedic precision made his portrayal of an older man believable and amusing. Together, Cruz, Foley, and Furey crafted an enticing trio that gave depth and compassion to the show.

Besides the enthralling main trio, the supporting characters delivered unforgettable performances. Countess Lily, portrayed by Melanie Becker had a vivacious and alluring presence that entranced viewers. Though she had a louder-than-life personality in certain scenes, she also skillfully played a huge contrast through her mannerisms and physicality, sometimes seeming timid and introverted. Every story must have an antagonist, and Aidan McNerney as Gleb delivered. Though he was the villain, he portrayed the Deputy Commissioner with passion and honesty, giving Gleb a complex character. His vocals were outstanding and seemingly effortless. "The Neva Flows" demonstrated his peak vocal ability which was admirable for the difficulty of the songs. Lastly, Elina Viana who portrayed Tsarina Alexandra was splendid in every way. Though she only was a facet of Anya's memory, she had an unforgettable presence. Her physicality made it easy to identify her as royalty, and her vocals were delightfully shocking for a teenager to portray.

Besides the jaw-dropping performances, the technical aspects wee what gave a beautiful finish to the show. Costumes, led by Michelle Dorman, Claire Gibbons, Gabriela Pena, and Lila Sampilo were not only period-accurate but coherent and sumptuous. The costumes worn in Anya's flashbacks were matching in pattern and had a sheen that gave them a mystifying appearance. Lastly, in a show with many settings, the Set team, led by Emma Rice, Sarah Schweers, Travis Rayome, and Joseph Murray, made for seamless and comprehensible transitions. Though minimalistic, the few set pieces were versatile and therefore used in many ways. The craftiness of the Set team only benefited the production as a whole.

Bishop Ireton's Anastasia was astounding in its depiction of love, loss, and identity. Incandescent performances paired with transfixing technical aspects constructed a spectacle that was truly enchanting.

Sydney Pecore
Woodbridge Senior High School
Submitted for publication to Patch (Fairfax/Alexandria)

On this journey to the past, the cast and crew of Bishop Ireton's production of Anastasia dazzled. Based on the 1997 film of the same name, Anastasia tells the story of Anya, a young woman living in Russia during the dawn of the Communist Party, who suffers from amnesia and crosses paths with Dmitry and Vlad, two conmen trying to pass off a young woman as the Grand Duchess Anastasia for a reward given by the Duchess's Nana. Anya is convinced by the two men to join them and the trio journeys across Russia toward Paris. As they continue their adventure, Anya starts to remember things about her childhood that make them all realize she could actually be the lost Duchess.

The technical elements transported the audience back in time with stunning costuming, nuanced lighting, and cohesive sound design. Nothing sparkled brighter than the Tsarina's gown when Elina Viana walked on stage. It was so spectacular the audience let out an audible gasp. Michelle Dorman, Claire Gibbons, Gabriela Pena, and Lila Sampilo's beautiful and historically accurate costuming was a highlight of the show. Another element that elevated the production was the lighting done by Wyatt Moffett, and Lauren Capistran. Throughout the show, there were several lighting motifs for different characters. When Gleb, the Russian soldier with a sordid past and dark connection to the Romanovs, appeared, red lighting would emerge to alert the audience of impending danger. This was contrasted with the soft blue that illuminated when the main trio of Anya, Dmitry, and Vlad took the stage. The final element that made this show soar was the sound design. The sound done by Eve Wisneski, Brendan Carreon and Alessandro Vera played a key role in making the story feel grounded. From the use of a winding sound effect for the iconic music box to the use of the train station alerts during "Stay I Pray You", the sound effects proved to be effectively designed to create ample ambiance. Throughout the course of the show, the audience was completely immersed in the world that was constructed onstage before them.

When it comes to a show of this magnitude, there must be many jaw-dropping performances. Each of the leads in Bishop Ireton's show engaged the audience. Sofia Cruz as Anya had a beautiful voice that was a blessing to the eardrums. Throughout the performance, Cruz led the audience on a journey with her storytelling as a humble and lost street sweeper to an independent and newly self-discovered Grand Duchess. Her transformation was palpable. Another performance that dazzled the senses was triple threat Melanie Becker as Lily. She had the audience hanging on to every single line that was delivered with a distinct attitude and exemplary comedic delivery. She was complimented on stage by Aidan Furey as Vlad, who also delivered a comical and heartfelt performance. His charisma kept the audience engaged every time he was on stage. Furey's chemistry with Becker's Lily was one of the highlights of the show.

Overall, Bishop Ireton delivered a heartfelt story about love, friendship and truth that left the audience with both aches in their stomachs from laughing and hearts filled with the joy of Anya growing into her identity.

Aleena Ghori
Independence High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Take a "journey to the past" with Bishop Ireton High School's production of Anastasia! Written by Terrance McNally and directed by Kathryn Rice, this cast and crew did an utterly phenomenal job of both pulling from true history, and fictional story-building through its beautiful stage pictures and engaging acting choices. Bishop Ireton truly immersed you in 1920s Russia and France, creating a night the audience hoped would never end.

The story of Anastasia delves into one of the greatest mysteries in history: the whereabouts of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanov. This musical follows an amnesiac Anya amidst the Bolshevik Revolution, who is rumored to be the titular Russian princess. Unbeknownst to her true identity, conmen Dmitry and Vlad take her to Paris in hopes of tricking the one remaining member of the Romanov dynasty, the Dowager Empress. Little does the trio know, that Soviet officer Gleb is hot on their tail to finish what his father had started. This production is a heartwarming journey of hope, love, and finding one's true identity.

The entire cast and crew of Bishop Ireton High School's production of Anastasia operated together incredibly smoothly. From the incredibly creative sets to the finely detailed costumes and careful lighting choices and beautifully blended ensemble vocals, to evident characterization of each character, these students "hold the key" to a captivating performance.

All of the actors did a wonderful job of storytelling through their facial expressions and mannerisms; however, the main trio did this exceptionally well. Anya (Sofia Cruz) greatly stood out with her consistently melodic and silky vocals. The audience could not take their eyes off of Dmitry (Aidan Foley). His understanding of the character was evident in his charismatic energy. Rounding out the main trio was Vlad (Aidan Furey) who left an impact on the audience. Not only was his comedic timing on point, but his ability to connect with his scene partners on stage was apparent. His dynamic with Dmitry was greatly entertaining to watch and his chemistry with his love interest Lily (Melanie Becker) was off the charts. Any time that Lily walked on stage, her movements were sharp, her dances were clean, and her vocals were crisp. While each character's vocals were remarkable, Gleb's (Aidan McNerney) songs were exceptionally cantabile. McNerney's voice was consistently supported, and his high notes were sustained effortlessly.

The technical elements of this show were evidently thoroughly planned out. Though the set was seemingly simplistic, it was versatile in the ways the designers (Brendan Carreon, Travis Rayome) decided to use it. Each prop was finely detailed which greatly helped set the scene. It is clear that the props designers (Matthew LoGrande) worked hard to ensure each prop was of high quality. One of the most notable technical aspects of the show was its lighting. Each cue felt very intentional in its contribution to the stage pictures. The designer's (Wyatt Moffett) use of color was a refreshing decision that helped the story flow like the "Neva". When it came to costumes, it would be very easy to skimp out on the ensemble–this was not the case with Bishop Ireton. The costume designers (Anna Connole, Michelle Dorman, Lila Sampilo) carefully crafted each time-period appropriate piece to fit each cast member perfectly. In doing so, the costume designers truly created the world of Anastasia.

Bishop Ireton's production of Anastasia was worth every minute. This cast did a notable job of ensuring the audience felt the warmth of the characters amidst the cold of "December". The loving atmosphere of this show was one no one would want to miss.

Audrey Evans
Woodbridge Senior High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

The classic rumor and mystery behind the possible survival of Princess Anastasia Romanov has captivated people for over 100 years. This same awe and captivation were evident in the theater of Bishop Ireton Theatre, as we were taken "On a Journey to the Past" through a masterful showcase of talent and understanding of history. The musical "Anastasia" by Terrence McNally was adapted from the 1997 Disney movie musical and focuses on the history and reality of the rumored life of the survived Princess Anastasia, and the horrors that became her family under the new communist Russia. The story is gripping and touches those who watch it unfold through dance, song, and heart wrenching story telling.

"Anastasia" follows the story of young Anya (Sofia Cruz), Dmitry (Aidan Foley), and Vlad (Aidan Furey) as they attempt to discover who Anya truly is and come to realize the truths they held dear in life may not be as they once thought. Sofia Cruz performed Anya beautifully as she brought the character to life through reactive acting and amplified her character with strong and characteristic vocals. Cruz allowed for balance in the main trio and touched the audience with her embodiment of the lost Princess. Aidan Foley brought another dimension to the trio's performance; he demonstrated a deep understanding of his character through his charismatic performance and fluid chemistry. Aidan Furey brought a higher level performance through his booming stage presence and versatile voice. Furey's physicality was excellent, and his comedic moments drew in the audience. The dynamics between Cruz, Foley, and Furey were natural and catapulted a more authentic performance.

There are many technical difficulties that come with the production of a historical musical. These challenges can often compromise the quality of the production, but this was not an issue seen at Bishop Ireton. The lighting design (Wyatt Moffett, Lauren Capistran) was brilliant, and truly exemplified the performance as a whole. From the lighting changes in songs, to the shifts in coloration and brightness based on location and character mood, the design was well thought out and professional. The costuming in the show was breathtaking, and stood out on an advanced level of excellence. The dramaturgy and research were evident, and all the costumes reflected the time period well, and added to the mood of the production.

One Saturday night in April, a classic story was brought to life, following a girl looking for her place in the world. This historical musical resonated with people all over the globe, as we looked through history to see a reflection of ourselves today, more than 100 years later. "Anastasia" captivated all who saw it, and certainly left a story in the hearts of all those who left the theater at Bishop Ireton.

Kaylee Williams
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to The Catholic Herald

"Wherever I go, you'll always be with me," said the Dowager Empress to her granddaughter Anastasia before their lives changed forever. Bishop Ireton High School's production of Anastasia told an incredible story.

Anastasia is a musical based on the 1997 animated Disney film. This intriguing show answers the long-asked question: What happened to the Duchess Anastasia Romanov? Beginning in St. Petersburg, Russia 1906, the Romanov family gets attacked during the Russian revolution leaving only the Dowager Empress (Vivian Spendley) and her granddaughter Anastasia (Sofia Cruz) alive. Unfortunately, Anastasia goes missing, gets a new name, Anya, and loses all memory of her family. The show follows Anya and two men who help her on her journey to Paris to reunite with her grandmother.

The story revolved around Anya (Sofia Cruz), Dmitry (Aidan Foley), and Vlad (Aidan Furey) whose personalities perfectly complemented each other. Cruz did a wonderful job portraying the amnesia-ridden duchess. Cruz had an amazing voice and an ethereal quality of singing which brought the character to life. The chemistry Cruz had with Foley made the development of their relationship seem real. Foley brought lovable and humorous qualities to the character of Dmitry. In addition to his amazing acting skills, Foley's vocals were mellifluous. Foley and Furey were the ultimate duo with their contrasting personalities. Furey played Vlad, who was full of aspirations and memories of his past. He portrayed Vlad with humorous physicality and boisterous charisma. The trio all wonderfully played off each other in character and voice. Their harmonies in songs such as "Learn to Do It" and "Paris Holds the Key" had the audience entranced.

Aidan McNerney as Gleb and Melanie Becker as Lily also captivated the audience with their unique personalities. McNerney played the severe communist general with past issues. Although McNerney played the main antagonist of the story, the character developed into someone with whom the audience could sympathize. McNerney brought the character together with incredible vocals that impressed everyone, in songs such as "The Neva Flows" and "Everything to Win (Reprise)". Similarly, Melanie Becker as Lily only appeared in the second act but as soon as that happened, everyone was captivated by Lily's unforgettable personality. Lily was a flirtatious and funny character who was the main object of Vlad's love. Becker and Furey had an amazing connection, especially in their song "The Countess and the Common Man". Becker was not only great at acting and singing, but also dancing, as shown in the duet with Furey.

The technical aspects of the show deserve praise as they took the audience back in time to "The land of yesterday". Costumes by Michelle Dorman, Claire Gibbons, Gabriela Pena, and Lila Sampilo transported the show from a royal ball to the dreary streets of Russia to the lively city of Paris. The ravishing ball gowns were colors such as gold and blue that contrasted with the following scenes where the ensemble wore browns and muted colors that reflected their misery. As soon as the main trio arrived in Paris, they were greeted by colorful clothing and 1920's flapper dresses that showed their optimism. Additionally, sets by Emma Rice, Sarah Schweers, Travis Rayome, and Joseph Murray, were simplistic yet diverse, and could be used for every scene representing something different each time. Two large platforms were used to represent a government office, a train, an opera house, and more.

This hauntingly beautiful story showed the journey of a young duchess on a journey to discover her true self, and Bishop Ireton did a superb job of putting on this elegant yet eerie production.