Honest Review of Anastasia on Broadway - Is It Worth Seeing?

The beloved animated film Anastasia has finally come to life on Broadway.
This musical reimagines the legend of the last Romanov princess, Anastasia, blending history, myth, and fantasy with dazzling sets and costumes. Here’s an overview of the Broadway production of Anastasia along with highlights and our impressions.

Anastasia tickets and show guide

About Anastasia
Before you see it
Theatre guide
Detailed seating guide
Official merchandise
Honest review
Discount tickets

About Anastasia

Performances synchronized with moving LED screens

The Broadway musical Anastasia is based on the 1997 animated film of the same name, whose publicity might depend on where you’re from. The story draws inspiration from the real-life mystery of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna, daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, whose supposed survival after the fall of the Romanovs became one of history’s most famous legends.

The musical premiered on Broadway in April 2017. The production features a creative team of Tony Award winners: playwright Terrence McNally, composer Stephen Flaherty, and director Darko Tresnjak. What makes this show unique is its innovative use of LED screens and CG projection mapping, allowing the actors to perform in perfect sync with moving digital backdrops. The breathtaking coordination between the visuals and the cast’s performances is truly captivating.

Know the Anastasia legend before seeing the show

A historical mystery that inspired the story

Learn the origins of Anastasia before the show

The musical Anastasia draws from both the 1997 animated movie and the real-life legend that has fascinated historians for over a century.

According to the story, during the execution of Russia’s last royal family, Tsar Nicholas II and his family, the youngest daughter Anastasia was rumored to have survived. This “Anastasia legend” spread across the world and inspired countless retellings. Knowing this background makes the musical much easier to follow even if you don’t speak English fluently.

More about the real legend, story synopsis, and highlights can be found below.

Anastasia musical details >>

Performed at the Broadhurst Theatre

Anastasia is performed at the Broadhurst Theatre, located right in the heart of Times Square.

Broadhurst Theatre

The historic Broadhurst Theatre was built in 1917 through a partnership between playwright George Broadhurst and the Shubert brothers, founders of what would later become Broadway’s largest theater organization, the Shubert Organization.

Address: 235 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

The theater continued to operate even through the Great Depression. You can read more about its founders, architecture, and history on the detailed page below.

Learn more about the Broadhurst Theatre >>

Finding your seat

Ushers will guide you to your seat once you show your ticket

Your ticket will be checked twice, once when entering the building and again upon discovering your seat. When entering the orchestra or mezzanine section, ushers also hand out the musical program.

If you’re unsure of your seat location, staff members are always nearby and ready to help.

Our seats this time

How to read MEZZO C 1:

Mezzanine Odd = left-side mezzanine, odd-numbered seats
Row C, seat number 1

Seat 1 is located near the aisle toward the center section. Aisle seats are convenient for restroom access, but require you to stand when others from center pass.

Front mezzanine seats are the most popular

Front mezzanine view at the Broadhurst Theatre

With a capacity of 1,218 seats, the Broadhurst Theatre isn’t particularly large, which means the mezzanine feels surprisingly close to the stage. Instead of sitting toward the back of the orchestra, the front mezzanine offers an excellent vantage point.

Since the production relies heavily on LED screens and projection mapping, these effects are best appreciated from the mezzanine, where you can see the full scope of the visuals and still enjoy the actors’ performances up close.

Check out the official merchandise during intermission

After the first act, there is a 20-minute intermission. Restrooms can get very crowded, so it’s best to start heading there as soon as the curtain falls.

You can also browse Anastasia merchandise during the break. Gift shops are available on both the first and second floors, offering items like programs, tote bags, and jewelry inspired by the show.

Post-show impressions

A musical that resonates with Japanese audiences

A little inside talk: Although Anastasia isn’t yet widely known in Japan, its structure, music, and emotional storytelling make it a show that Japanese theatergoers would especially enjoy. And the same goes for anyone from a country where hardly anyone knows Anastasia.

The signature song “Once Upon a December” features a hauntingly beautiful melody that lingers in your mind no matter where you come from, and the lavish gowns, tuxedos, and ballroom scenes are mesmerizing to watch.

Spectacular LED screen effects

I was initially worried that the mezzanine might feel too far from the stage, but from this seat I could clearly see the actors’ faces, stage details, and costumes.

The LED backdrop and full-theater projection mapping were stunning, and the mezzanine offers the best view of these wide-scale effects.

Flawless ensemble performances

What truly brought the show to life were the performers themselves. The main trio, Anya, Dmitry, and Vlad, transition from despair to hope, facing unexpected challenges along the way.

Their emotional range is perfectly supported by the ensemble, whose synchronized movements and expressive performances keep the energy high throughout. While many adaptations of the Anastasia legend lean toward tragedy, the Broadway version is filled with optimism and joy, leaving the entire audience smiling.