Reviews: Anastasia: The Musical at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Written by Micah Chlan of McLean High School
Memory is a powerful thing, and at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Anastasia: The Musical brought it vividly to life onstage.
Based on the 1997 animated film and inspired by the legend of the lost Romanov princess, Anastasia follows Anya, a young woman with no memory of her past, as she sets out on a journey from post-revolutionary Russia to Paris in search of her identity. Along the way, she crosses paths with conmen Dmitry and Vlad, who hope to pass her off as the missing Grand Duchess Anastasia for a reward. As their journey unfolds, questions of identity, belonging, and truth begin to surface, all set against the backdrop of a changing world still grappling with the echoes of its past.
At the heart of the production was Gabby Licayan as Anya, delivering a performance defined by effortless, soaring vocals and a deep emotional base. Her rendition of "Journey to the Past" was particularly moving, blending vocal control with genuine longing and hope. Licayan captured Anya's determination and vulnerability with clarity, allowing the audience to invest fully in her search for identity.
Opposite her, Cricket Hicks as Dmitry brought a full, resonant voice paired with a smooth vibrato that heightened his musical moments. Hicks skillfully balanced Dmitry's charming, swindling exterior with glimpses of a boy searching for connection and purpose. This duality made his performance feel grounded and human, rather than purely comedic or romantic. Together, Licayan and Hicks created a compelling dynamic, most notably in "In a Crowd of Thousands," where their emotional connection and vocal blend elevated the number into one of the production's most memorable moments.
Prajeet Chitty's portrayal of Gleb added a layer of intensity and internal conflict to the story. With smooth vocals that remained controlled even in higher ranges, Chitty conveyed the character's struggle between duty and morality. His presence onstage was marked by a quiet intimidation, underscored by expressive eyes that communicated Gleb's intensity and turmoil. This was especially effective in "Still/Neva Flows (Reprise)," where his internal battle felt palpable and unresolved.
Beyond the principals, the ensemble played a crucial role in sustaining the world of the show. With consistent energy, confidence, and presence, they ensured that the stage always felt alive. Their work in numbers like "A Rumor in St. Petersburg" and "Press Conference" demonstrated strong cohesion and storytelling, maintaining pacing while building a vivid, immersive environment.
Technically, the production showed a clear artistic vision. The lighting team--Ella Clarke, Anthony Drozd, Ayesha Gulzar, and Sara Fong--crafted a visual contrast that mirrored the show's thematic journey. Muted grays and subdued tones defined Leningrad, while Paris burst into color and warmth. Their use of gradients on the cyc created striking visual moments, including soft, blended sunsets that enhanced the emotional tone of key scenes.
Equally impressive was the dramaturgy team--Abeni Smith, Thomas Gay, and the TJTA Dramaturgy Team--whose commitment to historical context extended beyond the stage. Through detailed research, they ensured accuracy within the production while also engaging audiences in the lobby. A Russian propaganda-inspired display, complete with wanted posters of the characters, added an immersive layer, alongside a hosted screening of the original film and a thoughtfully constructed slideshow analyzing the show's historical background.
Thomas Jefferson's Anastasia was not only a story of the past, but a reflection on how it shapes the present. Through strong performances, cohesive ensemble work, and thoughtful technical design, the production honored the idea that even in uncertainty, the search for identity and belonging is timeless.
Written by Hayden Schweikert of McLean High School
Under the watchful gaze of the Bolshevik revolution, a rumor echoes through the streets of St. Petersburg, begging at each ear the same question: what happened to the lost princess Anastasia? Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology answers the matter with their enchanting production of Anastasia: The Musical, an exploration of self-discovery, courage, and budding romance.
Journeying to the past, Anastasia: The Musical is set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution. Anya, an amnesiac street-sweeper, is swept up in a daring scheme by charming con-men Dmitry and Vlad, trying to pass her off as the lost Princess. As she travels beyond St. Petersburg and Paris, the line between performance and reality begins to blur, leaving Anya to question whether she is just a pawn in their scheme or Anastasia herself. Based on the 1997 movie of the same name, Anastasia: The Musical premiered on Broadway in 2017 following a 2016 Hartford debut. With a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, the musical garnered widespread praise, including 2 Tony Award nominations.
Gabby Licayan performed with deep-rooted authenticity as Anya, beautifully bringing to life her character's longing for identity, yet persistent hope for the truth to come. Anchoring each scene with Anya's struggles, Licayan's vocal control and thoughtful physicality displayed both grace and resilience along her journey, delicately matching the pure intent behind each word she spoke and sang. Licayan shared a real connection with Cricket Hicks, portraying Dmitry. Hicks' animated movements through the streets of his home, St. Petersburg, blended perfectly with his expressive reactions and delivery, which came together to balance Licayan's grounded poise. The pair was especially in sync during their touching duet, "A Crowd of Thousands," a recollection of a former encounter from their younger years.
Drawing on the fatigue of heartbreak, Grace Shaffer perfectly channeled the Dowager Empress' icy cynicism and misery. Shaffer injected genuine hurt into her delivery, moving in a reserved, yet elegant and bold fashion which echoed her need to maintain status despite constantly grappling with the haunting loss of her family. Serving the Dowager Empress was Sohana Bahl as Lady-in-Waiting Lily. Bahl displayed a wide range of versatility, effortlessly switching between true caring for the Dowager, to saucily playing hard-to-get with Vlad, played by Thomas Gay, in their shared duet "The Countess and the Common Man."
Abeni Smith, Thomas Gay, and the TJTA Dramaturgy Team ensured that the production's historical significance did not go unnoticed. In researching the show, the team created materials, including a short magazine, lobby display, and a presentation and movie night, ensuring the audience gained a better understanding of the show's historical basis. Their efforts were useful to many of the technical elements of the production, including the work of the Props team, composed of Skylar Dipasupil, Moubon Ray Kurukumbi, Edan Goldenpine, and Salem Grantham. With standouts including an exquisite music box, a hand-drawn and stained "wanted" poster, and various suitcases and weaponry, the props of the show helped immerse the audience in the world of the show, elevating its overall engagement.
With vocals as enchanting as a music box melody, and technical elements just as intricate, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's production of Anastasia: The Musical invites audiences to bask in the "Land of Yesterday," and depart with a lasting sense of what it means to know who you are.
Written by Langlen Heisnam of Westfield High School
Prepare to be whisked away on a journey to the past at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's production of Anastasia! Based on the 1997 animated film, Anastasia premiered as a stage musical at the Hartford Stage in 2016, and opened on Broadway in 2017.
The story is set in post-revolutionary Soviet Russia. The story begins with two con-men, Dmitry and Vlad, who are hoping to find someone to play the part of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov in order to extract a reward. When they meet Anya, a young amnesiac woman, the three of them form a ragtag team that eventually leads to friendship. They set off for Paris, all while avoiding the advance of Bolshevik General Gleb Vaganov. When our trio has to face the former Dowager Empress of Russia, it becomes uncertain if they are destined to succeed after all.
Gabby Licayan was completely captivating in her performance as Anya. She brought her own charm to the role with intentional choices, such as her shaking hands in the face of danger. Licayan's bright and clear placement was executed beautifully and was both a highlight and complement in harmonies throughout the show. As Anya's roguish counterpart, Dmitry, Cricket Hicks showed strong characterization through animated facial expressions; his focus on steely determination was very precise and effective to storytelling. Hicks' vocal stability throughout his range also lent itself to the strong harmonies in duets between Dmitry and Anya, such as A Crowd of Thousands. Together, Licayan and Hicks' created a magnetic character relationship on stage, which resulted in a satisfying resolution to the romance in the finale.
As the unforgettable antagonist, Gleb, played by Prajeet Chitty brought a chillingly intimidating presence to the stage. Despite his authoritative tone and the way he barked orders at his soldiers, Chitty held the most command over attention in his moments of silence, conveying complete sentences with only his intense gaze. In musical numbers such as Still, he displayed incredible emotional range, laying out his character's internal conflict between love and duty clearly. Similarly, Grace Shaffer gave a deeply moving performance as the Dowager Empress, though her conflict was a matter of clinging onto hope. With perfectly crisp diction and a regal bearing, Shaffer created a heartfelt scene of sorrow as she tearfully recounted her tender memories with Anastasia.
The technical and visual elements in this production helped to thoughtfully craft the nuanced storytelling involved in the show. The lighting team (Ella Clarke, Anthony Drozd, Ayesha Gulzar, Sara Fong), an evident standout, put an emphasis on color motifs to symbolize certain characters. To represent our protagonist, Anya, they used a brilliant blue, and to represent communist Russia, they used a dramatic red color that would flood the stage in crucial moments such as the final confrontation in Still/The Neva Flows Reprise. The lights team also assisted to create striking stage pictures, such as the lights used to illuminate the fake snow in Once Upon a December, effectively inviting the audience into the minds of the characters.
The set team (Avery Conklin, Nik Fitzpatrick, Rosalie Reilly, and the TJTA Set Team) also made some remarkably creative choices, one of the most notable being the two revolving platforms on each side of the stage. By concealing the side facing away from the house with a curtain, they were able to make set changes as simple as spinning the disc-like platform.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's production of Anastasia was a beautiful display of student creativity that sent a message of love, hope, and belonging.