[For the remainder of the year, my San Jose and Peninsula theater reviews will be posted on Talkin’ Broadway with only introductions to those reviews on this site].

Of the world’s monarchies that have been overthrown, none competes with the violence and thoroughness of the Russian Bolshevik’s 1918 decimation of the Romanov dynasty – Czar Nicholas II, Czarina Alexandra, and their five children.  Of direct family members, only the czar’s mother, the Dowager Empress, who was living in Paris was known to survive.  So how does this have the makings of a stage musical?

Rumors swirled that one Romanov daughter, Anastasia, had escaped.  Many pretenders made claim to be the surviving heir to the Russian throne and were dismissed by the Dowager Empress.  But ten years later, a young woman Anya, would make a most convincing case that she could be Anastasia.  The musical tells Anya’s story.

In addition to a dramatic true history, Anastasia, which had a moderately successful Broadway run, was developed by a top creative team with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and book by Terrence McNally.  Hillbarn Theatre’s generally entertaining rendition offers two excellent performances, good singing voices throughout, and a fine overall production, but it lacks the consistent energy expected of a top musical.

Please continue to https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/regional/sanjose/sj264.html for full review.