Anastasia REVIEW 28 Dec 2025 ***1/2

  

MUSICAL THEATRE

Book by Terrence McNally, Music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens

At Regent Theatre, Melbourne until 20 Feb 2026

Reviewer: Kate Herbert

Stars: ***1/2

This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 7 Feb. 2026. KH

Rodney-Dobson-Georgina-Hopson--Robert-Tripolino-ANASTASIA.-Photo-by-Jeff-Busby

 

Anastasia at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre is a glossy, well-voiced production that ultimately feels more like a gilded fantasia than a gripping musical theatre experience. Despite strong performances that showcase impressive vocal talent, the show’s structural weaknesses and mawkish narrative keep it from soaring.

 

Georgina Hopson’s Anya carries the score with a pure tone and crystalline high notes that buoy many of the show’s most memorable songs. Robert Tripolino (Dmitry) and Joshua Robson (Gleb) provide handsome, assured sounds in their duets and ensemble moments.

Veteran musical theatre artist, Nancye Hayes, brings warmth and seasoned presence to her role, while the inimitable Rhonda Burchmore provides sass and hilarity. The ensemble’s harmonies are consistently strong, with some younger cast members bringing strong musicality to the scenes.

 

Yet beneath the vocal sheen lies a production that often feels diffuse and padded. The book relies heavily on cliche and a tendency toward sentimentality makes some dialogue awkwardly mawkish rather than poignant.

 

Structural imbalance is evident: sequences that should propel character development often stall, and too many musical numbers echo each other rather than building contrast or narrative momentum. The result is an evening where standout numbers like Journey to the Past and Once Upon a December are memorable for their vocal quality, but not necessarily for dramatic propulsion.

 

Creative choices—including generous use of projections and scenic spectacle, including a quirky, moving train carriage—add visual flourish, but they cannot wholly disguise a narrative that wavers between historical fantasy and fairy-tale tropes without wholly committing to either.

 

 Still, with voices this compelling and moments of genuine musical and visual beauty, there is pleasure to be found for lovers of classic Broadway glitz, even if the heart of the show feels just out of reach. 

 

By Kate Herbert

 

Robert-Tripolino--Georgina-Hopson--ANASTASIA.-Photo-by-Jeff-Busby

 

Cast (Melbourne)

·       Georgina Hopson (Anya)

·       Robert Tripolino (Dmitry)

·       Joshua Robson (Gleb)

·       Rodney Dobson (Vlad)

·       Rhonda Burchmore (Countess Lily)

·       Nancye Hayes (Dowager Empress)

·       Sophia Bae, Elliot Baker, Billy Bourchier, Nicholas Cunningham, Davis Giotopoulos Moore, Todd Goddard, Stephanie Kurlow, Keian Langdon, Bella Minniti, Nathan Stafford, Alexis Van Maanen, Annie Wilson, Deone Zanotto, Andrea Zappacosta; Swings: Manon Gunderson-Briggs, Iosefa Laga’aia, Nathan Pinnell, Emma Russell.

 

Creative Team

·       Book: Terrence McNally

·       Music: Stephen Flaherty

·       Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens

·       Director: Darko Tresnjak

·       Choreographer: Peggy Hickey

·       Original Musical Supervisor: Tom Murray

·       Scenic: Alexander Dodge

·       Costume: Linda Cho

·       Video: Aaron Rhyne

·       Lighting: Donald Holder

·       Sound: Peter Hylenski

·       Wigs & Hair: Charles G. LaPointe

·       Orchestrations: Doug Besterman

·       Vocal Arrangements: Stephen Flaherty

·       Dance Arrangements: David Chase; Resident Choreographer: Nathan Pinnell; Musical Director: Anthony Barnhill, et al.