First of many Broadway events to come
Hundreds of guests filled the opulent ballroom of the Garden City Hotel Thursday night for the Long Island premiere party of Anastasia the Musical with a feature performance by Derek Klena. At the event sponsored by Anton Media Group, hosts announced that Tom Kirdahy Productions and Silva Theatrical Group will bring future collaborations to the hotel.
“Tonight we are launching a series where we are going to bring Broadway’s best out to the Garden City Hotel and give you a slice of what we’re doing in Times Square,” said Tom Kirdahy, producer of Anastasia.
Terrence McNally, considered one of the greatest living playwrights and writer of the book for Anastasia, took the stage in a euphoric state because the cast had completed its first run-through earlier that day. “It’s just tables and chairs in a bare room,” said the four-time Tony-winner. “They read through without holding a script or asking for lines. We went through without stopping and… it was pretty damn good.”
The show begins in Romanov Russia just before the collapse of the empire. “We also spend time in the Soviet Union, then we go to Paris in the ’20s at the explosion of the Jazz Age,” McNally said. “It’s a huge canvas this show takes place on and a very thrilling one for a musical.”
Next, in a video presentation, stars of the show introduced their characters and spoke about the story of the lost Romanov princess who travels across Russia to learn the secrets of her past.
Star of Anastasia Christy Altomare filmed a special video introduction for leading man Derek Klena who stepped into the spotlight to perform “My Petersburg,” an original song from the musical which underwent some changes since the Hartford production in spring 2016. McNally said Klena may not be well known outside of the Broadway community yet, but by this time next year, everyone will know his name.
Fans who picked up tickets on Eventbrite were thrilled to attend the formal gala. Aspiring actress Lizzy Lee, from Franklin Square, already has her ticket to Anastasia the Musical in April. She is most looking forward to seeing if the stage version will recreate the scene in the animated film when the paintings come alive during “Once Upon A December.”
Friends Cassidy Nelson, from Bellmore, and Holly Signoretti, from Lake Ronkonkoma, are fans of the animated version as well. Besides looking forward to their favorite song “Journey To The Past,” they are most excited to see “the magic” brought to life on stage.
Shannon Keane, a student at Holy Trinity in Hicksville, said, “I’m so excited about it.” She is fascinated by the music of the time period and wants to learn more about it through the Broadway show.
Fans eagerly await the opening of Anastasia on Broadway on April 24 (with previews beginning March 23). McNally said, “The myth of whether or not Anastasia survived doesn’t matter anymore because we want to believe in the wonderful fairy tale. I hope you will come see it for yourself.”
Keep an eye out for a full feature on Christy Altomare, Derek Klena and Anastasia the Musical in the May issue of Boulevard, Anton Media Group’s luxury lifestyle magazine.
