Growing up, Anastasia has always been my Roman Empire. From singing the songs to doing research projects on the real Romanov royal family, the Russian Dynasty and the play adaptation, it has always sparked my interest. When I heard that Penn State’s Thespian Society was staging its adaptation of the play and having a press night, I knew I had to attend.
For a bit of background on the Thespian Society, it is a student-run organization that produces productions on the Penn State campus. You don’t have to be a theatre major to join – any student from any background and major can audition to be a part of the production process and show. Â
As a first-year student going to a press night for the first time, I didn’t know what to expect. I grabbed my computer to take notes and headed straight into the auditorium. The press night was different from a typical show night.
Instead of a large crowd, the room was filled with fellow journalists, reporters, photographers and graphic media personnel who wanted the inside scoop on the play before the anticipated large crowd arrived. Having other students tell the story behind Anastasia elevated the watching experience. The room full of press allowed for lots of cheers, out loud reactions and a collective knowledge from the storytelling side.
When walking into the central part of the theatre, the vibes were set from the very start. The room was beautifully decorated with princess-like touches, such as mini chandeliers, purple diamonds, fairy lights and purple tablecloths. Following the Russian winter setting in “Anastasia,” paper snowflakes, fake snow, ornaments, statues and shimmering glitter were covering the floor and ceiling. I was impressed as soon as I walked in, making me even more excited before experiencing the show.
We had about 20 minutes before the press could enter the actual theatre. In that time, I had the chance to walk around, looking at the posters for cast members and the playbook. I was shocked by the number of people it took to put on a production like Anastasia; I never realized how many were behind the scenes. People were on stage crew, costume design, production and more. The dedication, time, and commitment put in before the production was shown were evident right to the very end on show night.
For the show itself, I have some thoughts.
Honestly, I didn’t like it.Â
I LOVED IT!
Every cast member performed with complete professionalism. You would think the cast were all theatre majors, given how good the acting was, the audience’s reactions and the beauty of the singing. While the show is 150 minutes long, roughly two and a half hours, I was captivated and on the edge of my seat the entire time.Â
I had high expectations for this play to see if it was worth going to. It was my first experience of a production at Penn State, never mind my first press night. The only high-quality shows I have seen were either from Broadway itself or from a professional theatre company. I do have to say, however, that watching Penn State Thespian Society’s production of Anastasia was a fantastic show.
The cast and crew worked incredibly hard for long months, and their commitment to time is definitely evident throughout the show. The decorations, professionalism, and showmanship made one feel as if they were in Russia during the Romanov dynasty. If you’re ever looking for a new, fun, and entertaining activity on campus, a production like Anastasia is your next best option.Â