The Broadway musical Anastasia is set to make its Australian premiere, opening at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre in December 2025 before touring to Crown Theatre Perth in March 2026 and Sydney’s Lyric Theatre in April. Inspired by the legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov and the 1997 animated film, Anastasia comes to life on stage through the Tony Award-winning team of Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty, and Lynn Ahrens. The musical transports audiences from the twilight of Imperial Russia to the glamour of 1920s Paris, following Anya, a young woman searching for her past. Pursued by an officer determined to silence her, she joins forces with a charming conman and a fallen aristocrat, embarking on a journey to uncover her true identity.
Critics have praised the show: "Fantastical, intelligent, well-crafted, and exhilarating. Anastasia deserves a coronation!" – The Wall Street Journal; "Captivating, beautifully staged, and emotionally vital. Anastasia hits the sweet spot!" – The Hollywood Reporter; "One of the most gorgeous shows in years! Luscious, lavish, and a joy that leaves you cheering." – The New York Observer.
Produced by John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia, alongside Stage Entertainment Productions, Tom Kirdahy, Hunter Arnold, and Dan Hinde, the show boasts opulent settings, dazzling costumes, and a soaring score. Fans can expect beloved songs from the 1997 animated classic, including "Journey to the Past" and "Once Upon a December". "The legend of ‘Anastasia’ has intrigued the world for many years and I’ve been wanting to bring this musical to Australia since it premiered on Broadway in 2017," said Producer John Frost AM. "It’s a story full of mystery and romance with a magnificent score that I know Australia is going to fall in love with."
Directed by Tony Award winner Darko Tresnjak, Anastasia ran for three years on Broadway before launching productions in Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan, plus two North American tours. It was nominated for Best Costume Design at the Tonys and won multiple Best Musical awards internationally. Casting details will be announced soon. For more info, visit www.anastasiathemusical.com.au.
The rags-to-riches tale of the last Romanov is set to dazzle Melbourne audiences first. The mysterious legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov is about to get the full Broadway treatment on Aussie shores, with the announcement that smash hit musical Anastasia will make its Australian premiere at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre in December 2025. Inspired by the enduring rumours of the duchess’s escape during the Russian Revolution, this lavish production follows young Anya as she embarks on an epic journey to discover her royal past, teaming up with a charming conman and a loveable ex-aristocrat while being hunted by a determined officer.
Opera Australia’s Acting CEO Simon Militano is equally stoked, noting that "the glorious music, spectacle and intrigue of Anastasia will captivate audiences around the country." The show comes with some serious creative firepower behind it. Penned by the late Tony Award-winning writer Terrence McNally with music and lyrics by the legendary Broadway team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (who’ve been crowned "one of the greatest songwriting teams in Broadway history" by the Chicago Tribune), the musical features beloved tunes from the 1997 animated film including "Journey to the Past" and "Once Upon a December".
After its Broadway premiere, Anastasia has already conquered audiences across Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico and Japan. It’s racked up more than 15 major international awards and scored a Tony Award nomination for Best Costume Design. The story of Anastasia has captivated audiences for decades, previously brought to life in the 1956 film starring Ingrid Bergman and the 1997 animated flick that first featured Ahrens and Flaherty’s music. With its opulent settings, dazzling threads and soaring score, this spectacle promises to be a grandiloquent feast for the senses that punters won’t want to miss.
Australia’s massive year for musicals just keeps on giving, with news breaking that the Broadway hit Anastasia will premiere Down Under in 2025. This rave-reviewed musical is inspired by the beloved 1997 animated feature from 20th Century Fox and, of course, the mysterious tale of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov’s rumoured escape in the dawning days of the Russian Revolution. A lavish musical for the whole family with opulent settings and dazzling costumes, Anastasia premiered on Broadway in 2017 and played to sold-out audiences for three years before several international productions were mounted around the world, as well as two North American tours.
Music and lyrics are by the renowned writing team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, the same pair behind the movie’s score, who have been referred to as "one of the greatest songwriting teams in Broadway history". Naturally, the musical includes total bangers from the animated film, including "Journey to the Past" and "Once Upon a December". The Australian premiere of Anastasia is presented by John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia. It will open in December 2025 at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre, before touring to Perth’s Crown Theatre in March 2026, and will finally land at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre in April 2026. Casting details will be announced in the coming months.
