Event Series:
Lake Country Playhouse Haunted Theatre
Lake Country Playhouse Theatre
October 4 @ 7:30 pm
Lake Country Playhouse Theatre:
Lake Country Playhouse & Academy opens its 2025–2026 Season of Legends & Legacies: The Stories That Shape Us with the sweeping Broadway hit Anastasia the Musical. This season opener
highlights the Playhouse’s commitment to collaboration—between its MainStage productions, Academy program, regional arts partners, and area schools.
The MainStage production runs September 26–October 12, directed by Sarah Jo Martens, with music direction by Tracy Garon and choreography by Kyra Jo Petit-Walla. Local talent will be joined by two ballerinas-in-training from the Milwaukee Ballet School, performing en pointe in the show’s Swan Lake sequences—blending theatrical storytelling with classical ballet.
The Academy production, Anastasia: Youth Edition, follows October 16–26, directed by Caitlyn Nettesheim, with music direction by Nicole McCarty and choreography by Lucy Kurowski. Students ages 8–18 will perform on shared sets and costumes from the MainStage production. In addition to evening and weekend shows, the Academy will also host a weekday matinee for area schools, expanding the Playhouse’s educational outreach.
Past tandem productions such as Little Women and Peter and the Starcatcher have shown how shared resources and mentorship build community across generations. With Anastasia, collaboration extends even further through partnerships with regional artists and schools.
“The creative teams for both the MainStage and Academy productions have really come together to create a collaborative vision for the show and given a lot of folks the opportunity to touch on this project and create this world together. It’s been really exciting to see that,” said Mainstage director, Sarah Jo Martens.
RATING: PG
RUNTIME: 150 minutes. + 15 Minute Intermission
ADMISSION: Single $30.00* | Group (10+) $27.50*
*Processing fees not included
ANASTASIA: THE MUSICAL by presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. All authorized performances are listed on the Concord Theatrical NOW Playing. www.concordtheatricals.com/now-playing
Performance Dates and Times:
MAINSTAGE – FULL MUSICAL
Thursday, September 25, 7:30pm – PREVIEW
Friday, September 26, 7:30pm
Saturday, September 27, 7:30pm
Sunday, September 28, 2:00pm
Thursday, October 2, 7:30pm
Friday, October 3, 7:30pm
Saturday, October 4, 7:30pm
Sunday, October 5, 2:00pm
Thursday, October 9, 7:30pm
Friday, October 10, 7:30pm
Saturday, October 11, 7:30pm
Sunday, October 12, 2:00pm
*The Academy will perform a youth version of this title October 16-26, 2025. Please double check that you purchase tickets for the correct date/cast.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
From the twilight of the Russian Empire to the glamour of 1920s Paris, Anastasia is the sweeping Broadway musical that tells the epic story of a young woman’s journey to discover the mystery of her past and define her own future. Orphaned and alone, Anya sets out to unlock the secrets of her identity, pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer and aided by a charming conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. As she follows the whispers of her past, Anya must decide whether she’s ready to claim the destiny that might be hers. Filled with soaring ballads, dazzling choreography, and unforgettable characters, Anastasia is a breathtaking adventure about home, love, and the courage to find where you truly belong.
THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Director – Sarah Jo Martens
Assistant Director – Elena Donley
Music Director – Tracy Garon
Choreographer – KyraJo Petit-Walla
Intimacy Coach – Jenn Dobby
Intern Coordinator – Kennedy Ripperdan
Stage Manager – Evelyn Ewald
Set Design – Chad Munkwitz
Scenic Artist – Anjl Rodee
Lights & Sound Design – Max Levine
Properties Design – Natalie Wanasek
Costume Design – Suze Falk
Lead Seamstress – Paula Nordwig
Photography & Videography – Taran Schatz
Rehearsal Photography & Social Media – Andrea & Evelyn Ewald
CAST:
Anastasia: Ellie Adam
Dmitry: Jack Anderson
Vladimir “Vlad” Popov: Cory Klein
Deputy Commissioner Gleb: Danny Slattery
Countess Lily: Emily Norton
Dowager Empress: Lisa Poglitsch
Tsarina Alexandra: Liz Nisley
Tsar Nicholas II: Eric Rorholm
Olga Romanov: Christina Hoehn
Tatiana Romanov: Kyla Halquist
Maria Romanov: Maddy Buchta
Young Anya Romanov: Annie Sturtz
Alexi Romanov: Meika Olson
Countess Ipolitov: Johannah Lee
Count Leopold: Nathan Petit-Walla
Dunya: Lexi Ellis
Marfa: Karisa Perik
Paulina: Adeline Cramer
Commissioner Gorlinsky: Ben Ardis
Count Gregory: Oliver Kuhtz
Countess Gregory: Sage Shemak
Ensemble Swing: Natalie Wanasek
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