Anastasia, the Broadway musical inspired by the enduring legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, is set to make its Australian premiere at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne in December 2025. The production will then travel to Perth (Crown Theatre) in March 2026 and Sydney (Sydney Lyric Theatre) in April 2026. This Australian tour is another co-production between John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia and Opera Australia.
Brought to the stage by Tony Award-winning collaborators Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty, and Lynn Ahrens, Anastasia draws from both the historical speculation surrounding Anastasia Romanov’s possible survival and the 1997 animated film of the same name. The story follows a young woman named Anya who, with the help of a conman and a former aristocrat, embarks on a journey from the fall of Imperial Russia to 1920s Paris in a quest to uncover her identity.
Producer John Frost AM shared his long-standing ambition to bring the production to Australia, stating:
The legend of Anastasia has intrigued the world for many years and I’ve been wanting to bring this musical to Australia since it premiered on Broadway in 2017. It’s a story full of mystery and romance with a magnificent score that I know Australia is going to fall in love with.”
Opera Australia’s Acting CEO, Simon Militano, also shared their thoughts on the upcoming musical production, sharing:
Opera Australia is thrilled to be once again partnering with John Frost to bring another world class musical to Australian theatres. We expect the glorious music, spectacle and intrigue of Anastasia will captivate audiences around the country.
The musical features a score that includes favourites from the 1997 animated film, such as Journey to the Past and Once Upon a December, alongside new compositions, set against a backdrop of opulent settings and elaborate costumes. Anastasia is being produced in Australia by John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia, in collaboration with Stage Entertainment Productions, Tom Kirdahy, Hunter Arnold, and Dan Hinde.
For more information and to join the waitlist for ticket sales, visit the musical’s official website. Information on casting has yet to be shared. But if you are a performer looking to perhaps join the cast come December, keep an eye out on the audition pages for both Crossroads Live Australia and Opera Australia.
