Jake Levy News

In the last decade or so, musicals based on movies have become a regular occurrence. It seems like several new shows are opening each year, so it's not surprising that a?oeAnastasia,a?? Don Bluth's semi-unconventional take on a princess movie, made the transition a?' and thankfully, the end result maintains much of the magic of its source material.

Sony Masterworks Broadway just announced the December 6 release of SUPERHERO (ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING) with music and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize, Tony and Emmy Award-winning composer Tom Kitt (Jagged Little Pill, Next to Normal, If/Then) and book by Tony and Golden Globe Award-winning writer John Logan (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Red).  Also making its debut alongside today's preorder is the album's lead offering a?oeIt's Not Like In The Movies,a?? performed by  Tony and GRAMMY Award nominee Bryce Pinkham and Kyle McArthur a?" listen here. 

At first glance, the musical stage adaptation of ANASTASIA looks and feels like an appropriately grand, luxe affaira?"from its gorgeous costumes designed to the lush soundscapes created by the orchestra and the vocal talents that have been assembled for this tour. But the undeniable wow factor of the show is, of course, the stunning visual trifecta of its scenic design working in keen harmony with dazzling projections and stage lighting. The overall technical prowess of this stage musical is just jaw-droppinga?"and, I must say, is quite an adequate enough reason to experience the show. The adaptation's execution of the story itself, however, suffers slightly from its well-meaning intentionsa?"revealing a stage show that feels stilted by its own drama, and with an unsure footing of what it truly wants to be.

The first clue that ANASTASIA was going to be different than what I expected was a note on the title page reading, “Inspired by the Twentieth Century Fox Motion Pictures.” Plural? A savvy journalist, I quickly asked Siri to bring up the imdb page for “Anastasia”. Turns out Fox made ANASTASIA twice, the 1997 animated movie and a 1957 film that scored Ingrid Bergman's second Oscar and marked Helen Hayes' transition to the big screen. And it turns out the musical version has more in common with LES MISERABLES and RAGTIME than BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Gone is the hell-wizard Rasputin, his talking fruit bat sidekick, and the singing demon caterpillars. At intermission, I asked my third grade niece, Adalyn, how she was liking it. “It's awesome…it's real people, like no Beast or anything. No animals.” We decide that Disney staged musicals are great but more it's more impressive when you can achieve the magic without a story that departs from reality. ANASTASIA is historical fiction hypothetical. It poses a “what if…?” that a daughter of the last czar of Russia (The Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna) escaped when the czar's family was executed in 1918. Rumors persisted for decades that Anastasia did, in fact, escape. In 2007, DNA testing confirmed the remains of all four Grand Duchesses were in the Imperial grave. In this version, Terrence McNalley's book follows Anastasia's rediscovery of her identity after surviving the attack on her family and sustaining some plot enabling amnesia. Renamed “Anya” she grows up and makes a life in post-Revolution Russia. Anastasia's grandmother, the Dowager Empress (in a staggeringly moving performance by Joy Franz) has fled to France and offered a cash reward for anyone escorting the rumored alive Anastasia to Paris. The wily duo Vlad (Edward Staudenmayer) and Dmitry (Jake Levy) pull a My Fair Lady style makeover on Anya to collect the Dowager's prize. They are pursued by Gleb (Jason Michael Evans). A Soviet officer drawn to Anya romantically but tasked with finding and eliminating the last Romanov. Anya's memory becomes somewhat coaxed back, but the Dowager has stopped seeing Anastasia claimants after too much heart-break from countless frauds. It sounds dark, but with high-tech digital scenery and inspired performances across the cast it is delightful. Stephen Flaherty (Music) and Lynn Ahrens (Lyrics), responsible for bringing us RAGTIME, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, LUCKY STIFF, as well as the Oscar nominated songs carried over from the animated film. ANASTASIA is a perfect context for this pair. “Stay, I Pray You” (my favorite song of the evening) is evocative of RAGTIME's “New Music”. The two songs literally race my heart in a strangely specific way. My real test of a National Tour at Gammage is how fast I get the music playing in my car on the way home. At ANASTASIA I was already finding, “Stay, I Pray You” walking through the parking lot. The rest of the score is similarly haunting. Lila Coogan, as Anya/Anastasia, powers through the score with nuance, clarity, and passion. Tari Kelly, as Countess Lily, and Stadenmayer (Vlad) were Adalyn's favorite performances and I have to agree. This incredibly gifted pair take the “triple threat” designation (singer, dancer, actor) and go quadruple with the addition of flawless comic timing. The choreography by Peggy Hickey is masterful. It somehow combines inventive and traditional throughout and the ten-minute slice of “Swan Lake” infused into “Quartet at the Ballet” is the highlight of the second act. It's a fun-size version that gets an under-represented art form onto the plate. This kind of trope often means the plot putting the plot on hold. But here, it is the connective tissue between Anya, Dmitry, the Dowager, and Gleb as they each bring us up to speed heading into the show's climax. Ultimately, the show's success comes from applying a higher artistic standard to the “previously-animated-film-now-theatrically-staged” genre. It cashes in on the name draw of the 1997 film then gives the viewer something much more enriched than what they think they are coming to see.

We headed to St. Petersburg yesterday for an inside look at the Anastasia tour with Jake Levy as he took over BroadwayWorld's Instagram Story! So in case you missed it (or just want to relive all of the fun and excitement), we compiled clips for you to enjoy. Check it all out!

Today's top stories: read reviews for The Sound Inside and Little Shop of Horrors, and more!

Jake Levy has assumed the role of Dmitry on the national tour of Anastasia beginning on October 8th at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles.

Casting has been announced for the national tour of ANASTASIA, coming to Segerstrom Center for the Arts November 5 a?" 17, 2019 in Segerstrom Hall. Rising theater star Jake Levy makes his national tour debut in the principal role of Dmitry.

It's no rumor: the Anastasia tour's new Dmitry, Jake Levy, is taking over BroadwayWorld's Instagram Story this Saturday, October 19th, at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre! Be sure to tune in throughout the day to get a peek behind the scenes with this kid on the fly on a two-show day! You're not gonna want to miss being welcomed to his Petersburg!

Based on the 1997 animated film 'Anastasia', Anastasia the New Broadway Musical, bowing on broadway in 2017, is an entertaining whirlwind of sight and sound. It will make you laugh and cry. You will undoubtedly leave the theatre with a lasting impression of grande theatricality and how it weaves its magic into our humdrum lives. Plus, it is based on fact. Currently onstage at the Hollywood Pantages until October 27 only, this Anastasia has the makings of a great big hit.

Welcome to his Petersburg! As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Jake Levy is set to assume the role of Dmitry on the national tour of Anastasia beginning on October 8th at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. To prepare you to meet the kid on the fly, we're getting to know the star by looking at some of his most memorable performances. Check it all out!

ANASTASIA, announced today that rising theater star, Jake Levy, will assume the principal role of Dmitry beginning October 8, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. This will mark Jake's naDonal tour debut as the North American tour embarks on its second season.

We're throwing it back and celebrating the importance of education by looking back at some of your favorite Broadway stars' theatre roots in their local musicals and plays growing up! We've gathered posts from stars including Corey Cott, Andrew Barth Feldman, Rachel Zegler, and more to see the beginnings of their passion of the arts! Get a blast from the past by checking out all the photos and clips below!

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

This Month, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents 54 Sings Ed Sheeran on August 28th, 2019 at 9:30pm. With a guitar and a loop pedal, his music has been transforming. From playing bars in London to selling out Arenas around the world, award winning artist Ed Sheeran has captured so many hearts with his voice and songs. Travel from NYC, to London, to Galway with us while your Broadway favorites perform the best of Ed. From a?oePlusa?? to a?oeMultiplya?? to a?oeDividea??, this will be a night to remember. 

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents 54 Sings the '90s June 1, 2019 11:30pm.

Fresh from the hat shop of Hello, Dolly!, Kate Baldwin is currently starring in the world premiere musical Superhero. She took a moment to chat with BroadwayWorld about the journey of bringing the new musical and her character to life for the first time on stage!