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Exclusive Photos! Go Backstage at Broadway's Anastasia as the Cast Prepares for the Hit Musical

Last updated November 22nd, 2017 by Jenny Anderson & Josh Ferri
Exclusive Photos! Go Backstage at Broadway's Anastasia as t…

Photo by Jenny Anderson

Photographer Jenny Anderson (who shot our fabulous Classic New York Films and Tony Awards Parties photos) brings BroadwayBox backstage for an exclusive new series capturing Broadway companies getting ready to take the stage. In the latest installment, Jenny went to the Broadhurst Theatre, home to the hit musical adaptation of Ahrens and Flaherty's Anastasia

. Scroll on to see how the company prepares for a performance.
Mary Beth Peil- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

We begin the evening in the dressing room of two-time Tony Award nominee and TV favorite Mary Beth Peil.

Mary Beth Peil- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

MBP received her second Tony nom for her role as the Dowager Empress (Anastasia’s grandmother) in this musical.

Mary Beth Peil- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Simply Iconique.

Mary Beth Peil- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Stunning!

Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage- Ladies Dressing Room
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Next we jump to the ladies dressing room as the female ensemble gets ready to transition into Russian royalty for the opening tableau.

Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage- Guys Dressing Room
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Then the male ensemble’s dressing room as they share some laughs.

Kyle Brown- Dustin Layton- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Standout dancer Kyle Brown & dance captain Dustin Layton begin their pre-show prep.

Caroline O'Connor- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Next we stop by the dressing room of stage legend Caroline O’Connor, who steals the show with her one-two punch in Act Two of “Land of Yesterday” and “Countess and the Common Man”.

Caroline O'Connor- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

ICYMI: Check out all of Caroline’s fantastic Anastasia costumes.

Derek Klena- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Oh hey, it’s leading man Derek Klena!

Derek Klena-John Bolton- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

On his way to see his onstage and offstage buddy, the hilarious Mr. John Bolton

John Bolton- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

As it happens John has something to celebrate tonight: Dollar Friday!

Derek Klena-John Bolton- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage- Funny
Photo by Jenny Anderson

And then these two clowns played a little royal dress up and were just the definition of awesome.

Derek Klena- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Swoon!

Ramin Karimloo- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Tony nominee Ramin Karimloo originated the role of Gleb on Broadway but you only have until December 3 to see his performance.

Ramin Karimloo- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Those dimples though…

Ramin Karimloo- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

ICYMI: Ramin did the most haunting, goosebumps-inducing cover of “Once Upon a December” for Broadway Unplugged.

Christy Altomare- Derek Klena- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Leading lady Christy Altomare and her leading man Derek Klena share some chips and some LOLz before they start their process.

Christy Altomare- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Now we follow Christy in her process to become Anastasia. First the basics of the costume.

Christy Altomare- Mary Beth Peil- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Mary Beth Peil and Christy Altomare put perfume on each other before each show. A backstage ritual between grandmother and granddaughter.

Christy Altomare- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage- Dressing Room
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Then it’s time for hair.

Christy Altomare- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage- Dressing Room
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Once the wig is set, she can get her boots on.

Christy Altomare- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Luckily for us, Christy always makes time for a laugh. #SimplyTheBest

Christy Altomare- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage- Dressing Room
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Now, that first big coat for Anya.

Christy Altomare- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage- Dressing Room
Photo by Jenny Anderson

It’s done, Christy is ready to slay.

Christy Altomare- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage- Dressing Room
Photo by Jenny Anderson

But there’s still a little time to take a breather.

Nicole Scimeca- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Little Anastasia, Nicole Scimeca, & understudy Julia Morgan bring a bit of Bikini Bottom to St. Petersburg.

John Bolton- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Looks like the musical’s scene-stealing comic relief, John Bolton, is ready to bring the laughs as Vlad.

Lauren Blackman- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Lauren Blackman makes her Broadway debut as Tsarina Alexandra, and her first look is truly iconic! See how it comes together below.

Lauren Blackman- Bonnie Prather- Jess McGinty- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

First Lauren is helped into her gorgeous, elaborate crown by hair dresser Jessica McGinty.

Lauren Blackman- Bonnie Prather-  Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Once it’s perfect, dresser Bonnie Prather helps her into her stunning gown.

Lauren Blackman- Bonnie Prather- Jess McGinty- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Then Jessica puts on the final touches as Bonnie makes sure the gasp-worthy gown is ready to be seen by Broadway audiences.

Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage- Lyrica Woodruff
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Likewise, Chita Award winner (so you know she’s a fierce dancer!) Lyrica Woodruff makes her Broadway debut as Princess Olga Romanov.

Molly Rushing- Bonnie Prather- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Bonnie Prather helps Molly Rushing into her costume to play Young Anastasia in the first scene.

Nicole Scimeca- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Nicole Scimeca puts on her ballet slippers to play Little Anastasia. (Yup, there are three Anastasias!)

Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage- Ensemble- Ladies
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Soon it’s time for the entire Romanov family of royalty to take one last look before heading to the stage.

Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Then it’s down the stairs from the Broadhurst dressing rooms.

Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Beautiful.

Christy Altomare- Derek Klena- John Bolton- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

While the show begins, the trio of stars (who all enter after the big first flashback scene) take a moment to check in.

Christy Altomare- Anastasia - Musical- Broadway- Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Then while everyone is on stage, Christy has a moment of reflection before wowing Broadway audiences as the title character in Anastasia. See her and the entire gang live at the Broadhurst Theatre.

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