The production’s Australian producers have confirmed a principal lineup for the Australian premiere of Anastasia the Melbourne at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre in December 2025, which will be followed by a national tour to Perth and Sydney in 2026. Joining previously announced lead Georgina Hopson are Robert Tripolino as Dmitry, Joshua Robson as Gleb, Rodney Dobson as Vlad, Rhonda Burchmore as Countess Lily, and Nancye Hayes AM as the Dowager Empress.
Tripolino returns from London’s West End where he played Marius in Les Miserables, and he recently reprised Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Barbican and in Perth. Robson is best known for The Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour, which earned him a Sydney Theatre Awards nomination for Best Lead Performance.
Dobson has spent the past two years as Maurice in the Australian tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and previously played Amos Hart in the 2019 to 2020 Australian production of Chicago. Burchmore’s four decade career spans the West End and Australia, including Sugar Babies with Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller, Stop the World I Want to Get Off with Anthony Newley, Hot Shoe Shuffle, Hairspray and Sister Act.
Hayes, celebrating more than 60 years on stage, has led productions of Sweet Charity, Sweeney Todd, Guys and Dolls and 42nd Street, with recent appearances as the Bird Woman in Mary Poppins and in STC’s 4000 Miles.
Inspired by the tale of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov and the 1997 Oscar nominated animated film, the stage musical follows Anya as she journeys from the twilight of Imperial Russia to 1920s Paris, assisted by a conman and a former aristocrat while pursued by a determined officer. The production features a book by the late Terrence McNally, music and lyrics by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, and direction by Tony Award winning director Darko Tresnjak.
Producer John Frost summarised the ambition for the Australian premiere by sharing:
This story of courage, identity and hope deserves nothing less than the absolute best — and that’s exactly what we’ve found in these phenomenal cast members. Their talent will transport audiences from the streets of St. Petersburg to the grandeur of Paris, making this production truly unforgettable.
Meanwhile, Opera Australia’s acting CEO Simon Militano highlighted the mix of experience and new voices involved:
We are thrilled to announce these five brilliant performers will be joining the cast of Anastasia. It’s a winning combination of Australian musical theatre legends and some of its most exciting rising stars. We have no doubt that they will delight audiences, night after night, in this exciting Australian premiere season.
New tickets for additional Melbourne performances from 4 to 15 February are now on sale, with ticketing information for all states available via the official Anastasia the Musical Australian website.
