Max von Essen debuts as Gleb in Anastasia on Broadway

Tony Award nominee Max von Essen begins performances as Gleb Vaganov in the Broadway production of Anastasia tonight.

Tony Award nominee Max von Essen returns to the Great White Way tonight as he joins the cast of the Broadway premiere of Anastasia at the Broadhurst Theatre, assuming the role of the show's antagonist Gleb Vaganov. Original cast member and Tony & Olivier Award nominee Ramin Karimloo played his final performance as Gleb on December 3.

Max von Essen earned a Tony Award nomination in 2015 for his last Broadway outing in An American in Paris. His other Broadway credits include Evita, two productions of Les Misérables, Dance of the Vampires, and Jesus Christ Superstar. He also appeared in the National Tours of Xanadu and Chicago.

The principal cast of Anastasia currently includes Christy Altomare (as Anya / Anastasia), Derek Klena (as Dmitry), Tony Award nominee Max von Essen (as Gleb Vaganov), John Bolton (as Vlad Popov), Caroline O'Connor (as Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch), and Tony Award nominee Mary Beth Peil (as Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna).

Anastasia began previews on March 23, 2017, ahead of an official opening on April 24.

The new musical, based on the popular 1997 animated feature film by Twentieth Century Fox, is directed by Tony Award winner Darko Tresnjak and features a book by four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally, with music by Tony Award winner Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Tony Award winner Lynn Ahrens.

Synopsis: "From the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, the new musical, Anastasia, is the romantic, adventure-filled story of a brave young woman attempting to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family."

The creative team behind Anastasia features choreography by Peggy Hickey, dance arrangements by David Chase, music supervision & direction by Thomas Murray, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, scenic design by Alexander Dodge, costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Donald Holder, sound design by Peter Hylenski, projection design by Aaron Rhyne, hair & wig design by Charles LaPointe, and make-up design by Joe Dulude II.

Anastasia is produced on Broadway by Stage Entertainment USA, Bill Taylor, Hunter Arnold and Tom Kirdahy Productions.

Twentieth Century Fox's 1997 animated feature film Anastasia was nominated for two Oscars: Best Score (for Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and David Newman) and Best Original Song (for Ahrens and Flaherty for "Journey To The Past"). It features the voice talents of Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Christopher Lloyd, Hank Azaria, Bernadette Peters, Kirsten Dunst, Andrea Martin, and Dame Angela Lansbury.

Anastasia Tickets are available now for performances through to January 13, 2019.