Jessica Cruz
Director
Gabby Cruz
Choreographer
Dr. Kristi Wiley
Producer
Dr. Brian McBride
Set Design
Carla Fleming
Costumes/Props
Robin Reid
Costumes/Props
Ben Cruz
Sound Design
Kris Pearson
Light Design
From Tony winners Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty, and Lynn Ahrens, creators of such Broadway classics as Ragtime and Once On This Island, this dazzling show transports its audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.
A Note from the Director, Jessica Cruz
irst seen by my eyes at the movie theater as a cartoon musical, this show holds a special place in my heart. The sweeping music and beautiful story will captivate audiences, and I cannot wait to see how you bring the characters to life on stage.
For this show, we are taking the first round of auditions by video. Please prepare the songs and dance combinations on this page for the character you are auditioning for and submit your video audition by no later than Sunday, March 9, at 2:00 PM. Use the music tracks provided on this page for your song audition. This ensures you are submitting the audition song in the key it will be performed. Everyone will join our production team for the in-person Dance Call on Sunday, March 16 at 2:00 PM. If you have any questions about the audition process, feel free to email or call Mrs. Cruz: jhcruz14@lenoircc.edu – 252-527-6223, ext. 970.
We are casting a multi-generational, diverse cast. If you enjoy acting, dancing, singing, or being on stage, we would love to have you audition. There are roles (both large and small) for all ages. Please know your participation in this show is a huge time commitment for you and your family. We try to limit rehearsals to three times a week until we get closer to show time, but that is not always the case. Please make sure you discuss the time commitment with your family before auditioning. Becoming part of the show may mean not being able to participate in other activities. The presence of every person cast in the show is vital to the rehearsal process. We want you to take part, and we need you to be at rehearsals when you are called.
We cannot wait to make magic on stage with you!
A Note from the Choreographer, Gabby Cruz
ance auditions are an opportunity for you to demonstrate your personality and skills. This year, we are starting with video auditions for the dance combination. This will give you time to learn and perfect the combination at your pace and show us what you are capable of after a little time and practice. Then, a series of audition dance combinations will be taught at the in-person Dance Call on Sunday, March 16, at 2:00 PM. Everyone auditioning should submit a video dance audition and attend the dance call unless you are only auditioning for the Dowager Empress or Gleb.
I can’t wait to work with you and look forward to meeting you March 16!
- Playing age: 26
- Range: G3-F5, Belt to D5. Disney-esque Soprano or Mezzo
- Dance Requirement: Some movement (would like a dancer, but not required)
- Anya is brave, fiery, witty, and above all determined. With no memory of her life before age 17 and having lived through the horrors of the Russian Revolution, Anya jumps at the sound of gunshots and is distrustful of strangers, but there is steel hiding just beneath the surface. Anya is strong-willed and compassionate.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Songs: “Once Upon a December”, “Journey to the Past”, “In My Dreams”
- Dance: Jazz Combination
SHEET MUSIC
Sheet Music – Anya
- Playing age: 28
- Range: A2-G4. “Baritenor”
- Dance Requirement: Some Movement
- Dmitry is a scoundrel with a heart of gold. A street rat who grew into a conman, Dima does all he does to get out of poverty and is not above lying, cheating, and stealing to do so–that is until he meets Anya. What starts as just another scheme (albeit much bigger than anything he’s tried to pull off before) turns into the adventure of a lifetime that requires Dmitry to look inward and figure out how to put the one he loves before himself.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Songs: “My Petersburg”, “In a Crowd of Thousands”
- Dance: Jazz Combination
SHEET MUSIC
Sheet Music – Dmitry
- Playing age: Mid 40s-Early 50s (No age really specified)
- Range: A2-F4. Comic Baritone
- Dance Requirement: Strong mover
- Vlad is Dmitry’s partner in crime (literally) and surrogate father. Before the revolution he scammed his way through society pretending to be a count. Vlad is dramatic, crafty, and a big softie at heart. While he, like Dmitry, is not above lying, cheating, and stealing, he cares greatly for his loved ones and is generally affable, though he can be calculating when he needs to be.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Songs: “We’ll Go From There”, “Stay, I Pray You”
- Dance: Jazz Combination
SHEET MUSIC
Sheet Music – Vlad Popov
- Playing age: Mid 30s
- Range: A2-Gb4. Baritone with a strong upper extension.
- Dance Requirement: None.
- Gleb is the villain of the show, though not a bad person. He fully believes in the ideals he follows. Loyal, honest, and hard working, Gleb almost has the potential to be a hero (he’s very much the hero of his own story). A deeply conflicted person, Gleb’s infatuation (and borderline obsession) with Anya leads to his battle with the idea of doing one’s duty vs. doing what is right.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Songs: “Still”, “The Neva Flows”
- Dance: No Dance Needed
SHEET MUSIC
Sheet Music – Gleb
- Playing age: ~40
- Range: G3-C5 (Briefly sings a B5 at the end of “Land of Yesterday,” but the rest of the role is very Mezzo) Jazzy Mezzo with an upper extension.
- Dance Requirement: Dancer (Ideally a strong dancer)
- Lily is the lady in waiting for the Dowager Empress. She has been by the Dowager’s side since before the revolution. Lily is clever, dutiful, and above all fun (when not working for the Dowager). She deals with her exile from Russia with a sort of resigned dark humor…and a LOT of vodka. She and Vlad were once an item (unbeknownst to her oblivious husband) and rekindle their romance upon re-uniting.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Songs: “Land of Yesterday”, “Once Upon a December”
- Dance: Jazz Combination, Tap Combination
SHEET MUSIC
Sheet Music – Countess Lily
- Playing age: 80
- Range: F3-Bb4. A regal Mezzo
- Dance Requirement: None
- The Dowager Empress has lost everything she once held dear and must now put up with imposter upon imposter never allowing her to grieve in peace. She is icy, proud, and regal (not to mention intimidating) to all but her family. Though, she does have a very sharp wit. She is especially warm with Anastasia both when a child and after it’s revealed that Anya really is the princess. She commands authority and attention the minute she enters a room.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Songs: “Close the Door”, “Prologue”
- Dance: No Dance Needed
SHEET MUSIC
Sheet Music – Dowager Empress
- Playing age: ~5, (cast with an older child, between 6 and 10)
- Range: C4-C5, a sweet child soprano
- Dance Requirement: Very little.
- Young Anastasia is the willful, brave, proud, and precocious youngest daughter of the Tsar. She has a special bond with her grandmother (whom she calls Nana).
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Song: “Prologue”
- Dance: Jazz Combination, Ballet Combination
SHEET MUSIC
Sheet Music – Young Anastasia
- Playing age: ~5, (cast with an older child, normally between 6 and 10)
- Range: none
- Dance Requirement: Very little.
- Alexei was the Tsarevich (Heir to the throne) and only boy of the Romanov siblings. He suffered from debilitating hemophilia that often left him bed-ridden. Anya mentions that he was her best friend.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Song: “Prologue”
- Dance: Jazz Combination, Ballet Combination
SHEET MUSIC
Sheet Music – Alexei
- Playing age: All ages
- Range: all
- The ensemble has a TON to do in this show and plays a vast array of featured characters: townsfolk, royal servants, officers, soldiers, Parisians, reporters, and aristocrats.
- Possible casting options include but are not limited to:
- Tsarina Alexandra/Reporter (She is Anastasia’s Mom, having spoken lines, some dancing, and then spoken lines as a reporter).
- Tsar Nicholas II/Count Ipolitov (He is Anastasia’s Dad, having spoken lines and light dancing. Count Ipolitov has lines and sings a cappella as a strong baritone.)
- Gorlinsky/Count Leopold (Spoken lines)
- Tatiana Romanov/Dunya/Swan Lake Dancer (spoken lines, lots of dancing, pointe preferred, but strong ballet required)
- Maria Romanov/Marfa/Swan Lake Dancer (spoken lines, lots of dancing, pointe preferred, but strong ballet required)
- Olga Romanov/Odette in Swan Lake (spoken lines, lots of ensemble dancing, pointe required)
- Teen Anastasia/Paulina/Swan Lake Dancer (spoken lines, strong dancer, pointe preferred, but strong ballet required)
- Featured Ensemble (solos and spoken lines)
- Ensemble (group singing and dancing)
- Dancing Ensemble (dancing only)
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS – ENSEMBLE WOMEN
- Songs: “The Rumors Never End”, “Once Upon a December”
- Dance: Jazz Combination, Tap Combination, Ballet Combination
SHEET MUSIC
Sheet Music – Female Ensemble
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS – ENSEMBLE MEN
- Songs: “Stay, I Pray You”, “The Rumors Never End”
- Dance: Jazz Combination, Tap Combination, Ballet Combination
SHEET MUSIC
Sheet Music – Male Ensemble
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS – DANCING ENSEMBLE
- Songs: No Music Required
- Dance: Jazz Combination, Tap Combination, Ballet Combination
