28 June 6 • 2019
jn

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

