​Lyricist Drops In On The Cast Of "Anastasia" At Bucks Co. Playhouse

NEW HOPE, PA — Tony Award-winning lyricist, Lynn Ahrens, visited the cast of “Anastasia: The Musical” following a matinee performance on Sunday, Dec. 29 at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope.

“Anastasia,” which Ahrens wrote with composer Stephen Flaherty and playwright Terrence
McNally, continues on stage at the Bucks County Playhouse through Sunday, January 5. The production features choreography by Al Blackstone and direction by Eric Rosen.

From the Tony Award-winning creators of “Ragtime,” the show transports audiences 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 conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

“I love romantic musicals and I’ve been fascinated by the mystery of Anastasia since I was a child,” says Producing Director Alexander Fraser. “It’s thrilling to see how the creators of this Broadway musical have envisioned the story in a remarkable and fascinating way — one that has made the story timeless.”

Lyda Jade Harlan (“Scouts” Off-Broadway and “Maggie” at Goodspeed) who makes her Bucks County Playhouse debut, stars as Anya. She is joined by Mason Reeves (National Tour of “Disney’s Frozen,” and BCP’s “Guys and Dolls”) as Dmitry, Erik Lochtefeld (Broadway’s “King Kong”) as Vlad, Roe Hartrampf (Broadway’s “Diana” and BCP’s “Noises Off”) as Gleb, Kate Marilley (National Tour of “Beetlejuice”) as Countess Lily, and Christine Toy Johnson (Broadway’s “The Music Man” and National tours of “Come From Away” and “Flower Drum Song”) as Dowager Empress.

The ensemble includes Anna Bermudez (“Broadway Backwards”), Alex Caldwell (National Tour of “Dirty Dancing”), Tracy Dunbar (Pittsburgh Public’s “Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For”), Gina Gagliano (Surflight’s “Legally Blonde”), Chelsea Cree Groen (National Tour of “Hello, Dolly!”), Michael Allan Haggerty (National Tour of “Disney’s Frozen”), Maya Imani (Fulton’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”), L'ogan J'ones (Broadway’s “SpongeBob SquarePants”), Aidan B. Jones, Laura Katherine Kaufman (National Tour of “Cats”), Colby Marie Lewis (National Tour of “Anastasia”), Devon McCleskey (National Tour of “Pretty Woman”), Michael Mottram (Royal Caribbean’s “Hairspray”) and Leeanna Rubin (National Tour of “Annie”).

Tickets to “Anastasia” start at $39. The production is sponsored by Capital Health. Opening Night is sponsored by Oldestone Steakhouse in New Hope. The Audience Services Sponsor for “Anastasia” is BLBB Advisors. The 2024 Season is sponsored by Bank of America.

“Anastasia” runs through January 5 on Tuesday through Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased now via the Bucks County Payhouse box office by calling (215) 862-2121 or online at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org.