Additional Casting Announced for Anastasia Musical Premiere

The producers have announced that Robert Tripolino, Joshua Robson, Rodney Dobson, Rhonda Burchmore and Nancye Hayes AM will join Georgina Hopson in leading the cast of ANASTASIA, which will have its Australian premiere at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne in December 2025 before touring to Perth and Sydney in 2026. 

New tickets for performances from 4 – 15 February 2025 for the Melbourne season of this breath-taking production go on pre-sale today (Sep 18) and to the general public on Friday 19 September via www.anastasiathemusical.com.au

Producer John Frost said, “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.”

Opera Australia Acting CEO Simon Militano said, “We are thrilled to announce these five brilliant performers will be joining the cast ofAnastasia. 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.”

Inspired by the mysterious tale of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov’s rumoured escape in the dawning days of the Russian Revolution, and the 1997 Oscar nominated animated film of the same name, ANASTASIA has been brought to life on the stage by the Tony Award-winning creative team of Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.

ANASTASIA is a lavish musical for all ages, transporting audiences from the twilight years of the Imperial rule to the euphoria and exuberance of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman named Anya sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by an army officer determined to silence her, she enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family. 

Robert Tripolino will play the role of the charming con artist Dmitry, Joshua Robson will play the antagonist Gleb with Rodney Dobson featuring as Vlad. The much-loved Rhonda Burchmore will delight audiences as Countess Lily with Australian stage icon Nancye Hayes AM performing the role of the Dowager Empress.

Robert Tripolino is an Australian actor, composer and producer who has called London’s West End home for the past few years, where he played the iconic role of Marius Pontmercy in Cameron Mackintosh’s award-winning West End production of Les Miserables. Most recently, Robert returned to Australia to reprise the role of Jesus in the Perth season of Jesus Christ Superstar after having played the role at the London Barbican Centre.

Joshua Robson is most recognised for his performance as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera with Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (2022), for which he was nominated for Best Lead Performance in a Musical at the Sydney Theatre Awards. 

Rodney Dobson has delivered some of Australia’s most iconic performances and has recently spent two years playing Maurice in the Australian tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as well as playing the role of Amos Hart in the 2019-20 Australian production of CHICAGO.

With a career spanning over 40 years, highlights of Rhonda Burchmore’s illustrious career include performing on London’s West End in Sugar Babies featuring Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller, Stop The World I Want To Get Off with Anthony Newley, starring opposite David Atkins in the original Hot Shoe Shuffle and opening Crown Casino with her cabaret spectacular Red, Hot & Rhonda. Rhonda recently starred in Hairspray and Sister Act across Australia.

Australian stage icon, Nancye Hayes AM has starred in many major musical productions including Sweet Charity, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, Guys & Dolls and 42nd Street and is now celebrating over 60 years in the industry. In 2022, Nancye played the beloved role of Bird Woman in the Sydney season of Mary Poppins and recently starred in STC’s production of 4000 Miles.

Directed by Tony Award winning director Darko Tresnjak, ANASTASIA premiered on Broadway in March 2017. It received a Tony Award nomination for Best Costume Design in a Musical and won more than 15 major international awards including Best Musical awards in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.

The book for ANASTASIA was written by the late five time Tony Award winning writer Terrence McNally, whose credits include Love! Valour! Compassion!, Master Class, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ragtime.

Music and lyrics for ANASTASIA were written by the renowned writing team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens who have been referred to as “one of the greatest songwriting teams in Broadway history.” (Chicago Tribune).

Further casting details will be announced in the coming months.

ANASTASIA – THE BROADWAY MUSICAL

Produced by John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia in special collaboration with Stage Entertainment Productions, Tom Kirdahy, Hunter Arnold and Dan Hinde

Regent Theatre, Melbourne from December 2025

Crown Theatre Perth from March 2026

Lyric Theatre, Sydney from April 2026

www.anastasiathemusical.com.au

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