La Mirada Theatre dazzled its audience this past weekend with its enchanted storytelling of Anastasia: The Musical. Rooted in history and embellished with myth, this tale swept theatergoers into a dreamlike journey of mystery, wonder, and hope.
McCoy Rigby Entertainment’s production is inspired by Guy Bolton’s brilliant adaptation of Marcelle Maurette’s play “Anastasia.” Based on the legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanov of Russia, this time-honored play is awakened into a magical fantasy with Terrence McNally’s script and Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahren’s swelling 31 musical numbers. Accompanied by powerful performers, beautiful musical scores, and stunning choreography, Anastasia proves the excellent caliber of the La Mirada Theatre, once again.
The curtain rose to young Anastasia’s glamorous life in the royal palace of St. Petersburg in the early 1900s. However, the violent Bolshevik revolution shattered this beauty, executed her family, and left Anastasia as an amnesiac orphan. Alone and oblivious of her lineage, she grows up as “Anya,” a poor street sweeper lost in a bitter society. Fate changes when conmen Dmitry and Vlad trick her into believing she is the long-lost grand duchess of Russia, with the hope that they will receive a financial reward by reuniting her with the Dowager Empress. But as the trio embarks on their journey to Paris, Anya’s dreams begin to awaken childhood memories, revealing she may not be a royal imposter but the true imperial highness. This emotional tale is intertwined with magical melodies under the direction of Parker Esse and the musical direction of Ryan O’Connell, developing into a deeply soulful journey. Although the characters set off from their homeland with unraveled identities, their growing ties with one another promise not only to reveal the truth but to mend their longing hearts.
Lena Ceja headlines as Anastasia/Anya, enrapturing the theatre with her magnificent portrayal of this complex character. Carried along by Anya’s self-discovery, Ceja likewise explored her own heights as the acts went on. From her magically triumphant solo ballad “In My Dreams” to her operatic lullaby “Once Upon a December,” Ceja’s soaring vocals continually stunned theatergoers with the emotional reaches of her voice. Her wide-eyed, glittering, and poignant expressions punctuated her stage presence, dramatizing Anya’s world of fear, romance, and the dream to belong.
Alongside Ceja, Dillon Klena shines in his dynamic co-starring role. Stepping into the cynical, street-savvy shoes of Dmitry Dunya, Klena balanced Dmitry’s bold temperament with his slowly softening heart. Comical interactions faded into tender harmonies as Klena and Ceja’s voices danced with one another as the musical progresses.
La Mirada Theatre and McCoy Rigby Entertainment continued to impress with its accomplished cast list. The infectious charm of Peyton Crim as Vladimir “Vlad” Popov and Sarah Wolter as Countess Lily brought rolls of laughter from the crowd. Richard Bermudez as Gleb Vaganov struck a different tone with poignant turmoil as his desires conflicted with his duties. Suzanna Guzmán as the Dowager Empress bookended the show with her deeply emotional depiction of love, love lost, and the challenge to let love return. Alongside these brilliant performers were stunning ballet dancers Rasha Willes Samaha, Anton Harrison LaMon, and Kyle Vaughn, whose graceful poise and athleticism merited their own ovation within Act II.
Sweeping the story along was the majestic instrumentation from Ryan O’Connell’s live orchestra. Melancholic whispers and crescendoing thunder brought the stage to life, transporting the audience to a faraway world.
Through its harmony of masterful acting, resounding vocals, and breathtaking dances, La Mirada Theatre and McCoy Rigby Entertainment captured a profound depth to this fairytale-like legend. Powerful and emotive, this enchanting production of Anastasia: The Musical deserves to be heralded as the closing act for La Mirada Theatre’s 2025-2026 season and heightens anticipation for the new season this coming fall.
By Haley Penner
Photo Credit: Jason Niedle
Photo Caption: The company of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of “ANASTASIA,” directed and choreographed by Parker Esse and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.