Anastasia Opens WPT 2023-24 Season

Watershed Public Theatre announced that the first production of their 2023-24 season is the musical Anastasia, created by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Terrence McNally. Six performances will run September 15-24, 2023, at Columbia State’s Cherry Theater.

The stage musical is inspired by the 1997 animated movie of the same name and the legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, who was rumored to have disappeared during the fall of the Russian Imperial Romanov family. The story follows amnesiac orphan Anya who is looking for answers about her past, and the con men she meets who convince her that she could be the long lost Duchess Anastasia.

Spring Hill resident McKenna Steel, who recently appeared on the WPT stage as Mercutia in Romeo & Juliet, is taking on the lead role. “Anastasia’s story is beautiful and I love being able to bring her to life on the stage,” said Steel. “She exudes faith, hope and determination in the darkest of moments, something I think we all could learn from.”

Joining Steel onstage is a cast of Middle Tennessee performers: LaKameron Buchanan, R. Scott Cantrell, Haley Hixson, Alan Long, Micah Padgett, Tim Rust, Sarah Tatom, Jordan Tudor and Tracie Williamson from Columbia; Everley Helms, Caleb Finley, Deb Meeks and Christian Randell from Spring Hill; David Fonville and Jessica Fonville from Mount Pleasant; Meredith Aydelott from Smyrna; Christopher Burns from Franklin; Crystal Carrasco from College Grove; Crystal Kurek from Goodlettsville and Trinity Madura from Leoma, Tennessee.

“This production sets a company record for the most artists we have employed for a single project, confirming Watershed Public Theatre’s commitment to growing the arts community and supporting local artists,” noted WPT Executive Director Kate Foreman. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the talent and dedication of the team working on this elaborate production. Director Payton McCarthy has worked with WPT to assemble an incredible group of designers, instrumentalists, dancers and performers who are collaborating to bring this beautiful story to life.”

Performances are September 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 7:00 pm, September 17 and 24 at 3:00 pm. The production is hosted at Cherry Theater, located inside Hickman Building at Columbia State Community College, 1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for senior adults and $15 for students/children, available for purchase on Watershed’s website (watershedpublictheatre.org) or in person at the performance.

Mission Statement:

At Watershed Public Theatre, we believe that theatre is the ultimate collaborative art and work to bring together arts professionals, volunteers, students and patrons to share in the illumination that only live performance can provide. We maintain our focus on nurturing community and practicing social and environmental responsibility while striving for the highest quality of artistic and educational experiences.

For more details or to join WPT’s mailing list, visit watershedpublictheatre.org, email [email protected], call 931-797-6551 or visit the Facebook page: Facebook.com/WatershedTheatre.

Producer Kate Foreman is a resident of Summertown (Lewis County) and Intimacy Director Rachael Murray is a resident of Hohenwald.