28 June 6 • 2019
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I
ntrigue — real and invented — sur-
rounds the name of Anastasia, espe-
cially for writers.
The real Anastasia, a member of
the once powerful Romanov family
killed during the Bolshevik revolution
in Russia at the time of World War I,
became the subject of news commen-
tary as Anastasia impersonators claimed
escape from death.
Although the death ultimately was
widely accepted with the use of DNA
testing, the idea of survival and getaway
from what turned into the Soviet Union
served as the starting point for diverse
works of fiction, including an animated
musical film developed as a fantasy for
young audiences.
Now comes another variation on
theme with the stage musical Anastasia,
which is planned for a wide audience
and playing
June 11-23
at the Fisher
Theatre. The
storyline
creates new
directions
for the title
character,
whose
amnesia
leads her
into a web of
adventure.
“Other
than the [timeframe of the story], there
isn’
t much historical accuracy,” says
Jason Michael Evans, who is taking the
role of Gleb, an up-and-coming Soviet
officer who has strong feelings about
the new regime but also has very strong
feelings for a young girl who might be
the lost princess of the Romanov dynas-
ty.
“We’
re telling a story of
fiction historicized, not
history fictionalized. The
fictional story just hap-
pens to have a few names
in common with charac-
ters from history.”
Evans, appearing in
the play since September,
defines the production
as “heartwarming.” It
moves forward as the
young woman at the cen-
ter of the plot heads to Paris and finds
romance along the way.
The book is by Terrance McNally
with a score by the Ragtime team of
Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn
Ahrens (lyrics) adding numbers to
some written for the animated film.
Darko Tresnjak, a Tony Award winner,
is director.
Evans, who began showcasing his
singing talents in school and temple
choirs while growing up in St. Louis,
performs in musical numbers that
include “The Neva Flows” and “Still.”
The first moves from a Bolshevik
anthem to tell Gleb’
s own story. The
second expresses Gleb’
s romantic feel-
ings that conflict with orders to kill
Anastasia.
“I have always had this love for his-
tory, and I’
ve always felt a connection
between historical characters,” says
Evans, who also sees the contrast. “Gleb
grew up in a very tough
time in Russia; his par-
ents were killed in World
War I. I had a very quiet
childhood; I sing and
dance for a living, and I
never held a gun in my
life.
“Still, I do recognize
how conflicted it can be
seeing one thing in the
moment, obviously not
knowing how commu-
nism was going to turn out and think-
ing this might be the fix.”
Evans, 32 and single, started thinking
about the possibilities of an entertain-
ment career while in high school.
“I started doing plays, and I liked
them enough to major in acting at the
University of Missouri,” recalls Evans,
who also pursued vocal studies at col-
lege and later with private teachers.
“I wanted to do some TV
, so I moved
to Los Angeles. After I was there for
about three years, it became very clear
that what I was most passionate about
was musical theater, and I moved to
New York in the fall of 2012, doing that
ever since.”
Television credits include roles on
Madame Secretary, The Good Cop for
Netflix and General Hospital. Stage roles
have placed him in New York produc-
tions of Passion and On Your Toes! as well
as regional productions of Beauty and the
Beast, Oklahoma and Fiddler on the Roof.
Although there is no Jewish content
in Anastasia, there are lyrics that remind
Evans of lyrics in Fiddler on the Roof.
Both sets have to do with leaving a
homeland because of the threat of per-
secution.
“My upbringing was very heavily
molded by everything Jewish,” says
Evans. “I was very active in Jewish
youth groups, and I went to Jewish
summer camp my whole life, whether I
was a counselor or camper. I played in
the Maccabi games, and I played base-
ball for three years.
“Whenever I’
m in St. Louis, I’
ll take
my grandfather to temple for Torah
study on Saturday mornings. Last time
I was there, we had breakfast with the
rabbi emeritus.”
Now based in New York, Evans also
stays close to relatives by visiting his
sister’
s family in Chicago. On the road,
he plays tennis, practices yoga and reads
for relaxation.
“I love all the emotions expressed in
Anastasia, a show for all ages,” he says. ■
musical
arts&life
Lead actors Stephen Brower, Edward
Staudenmayer and Lila Coogan and the
company of the national tour of Anastasia
EVAN ZIMMERMAN-MURPHYMADE
details
Anastasia runs June 11-23
at the Fisher Theatre in
Detroit. Tickets start at
$39.
(313) 872-1000, ext. 0.
Broadwayindetroit.com.
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Heartwarming musical explores a romantic tale with little ties to history.
Intriguing
Anastasia
Jason Michael Evans
in the role of Gleb
MATTHEW MURPHY-MURPHYMADE