Kyla Stone grew up loving the music from the 1997 animated feature Anastasia, as well as tunes from other musicals. At the age of five, she would spontaneously belt out a song to friends and family and pretend she was on a Broadway stage.
Now that little girl has grown up and will be stepping onto the stage of the Altria Theater when she stars as Anya in the touring production of the award-winning Broadway musical Anastasia. The show opens Tuesday, October 26 and runs through Sunday, October 31, and is recommended for ages eight and up.
Inspired by Russian history and films depicting it, Anastasia advances from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s as Anya sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an adventure to help her find home, love, and family.
Stone, who is a rookie in this touring production, like much of the cast, is on a journey herself. Born in Southern California, she describes herself as a Disney kid girl through and through. Her creative expression was always supported by her parents – her dad played in different eighties hair bands and her mom had an ongoing love of music and the theater.
Stone began to get serious about theatre in her middle and high school years. She went on to graduate from Chapman University with a BFA in theater performance in 2020.
When she heard about the touring production of Anastasia, she secured an audition. “When we had callbacks, the scenes were so rich in dialogue and story,” she says. “It’s a gift to be saying the words of [playwright] Terrence McNally on stage every night.”
The costumes in the show are exquisite, she adds, pointing to two of her favorites – the blue gown she wears to make her grand entrance before the ballet scene and the red ball gown she is wearing at a pinnacle moment in the show.
“It’s my five-year-old dream coming true, to be a princess,” she says
At its heart, Anastasia is about finding yourself and your identity. “Anya doesn’t need anyone else. She has the grace and strength to be on her own and have that certainty in herself,” Stone says.
She has realized that she and Anya have several things in common. Both are young and first-time travelers (in Stone’s case traveling with a touring production).
“It’s an actor’s dream to get to be yourself and also someone else on stage, melding the two together,” she says.
In her own life, Stone is looking forward to the whole touring experience, visiting different cities. “I haven’t been able to travel as much as I want to,” she says. “All the cast are huge foodies. We like finding new places. We also like showing this story to everyone and sharing it with people.”
She’s very excited to be on the tour and in front of audiences again after COVID-19 closed theater doors for months and months. “I love remembering how excited people get seeing the shows,” she says, adding she saw one young girl having so much fun at the show last week.
“As actors, we take on that energy and then we have a blast. This show is the perfect whirlwind.”
Anastasia runs Tuesday, October 26, through Sunday, October 31. For showtimes and tickets, visit Broadway in Richmond.
Learn about the safety protocols in place at Altria Theater for Broadway in Richmond’s Anastasia.
For more on Broadway in Richmond, read this article in Just Joan: RVA Storyteller.
[Photos: Jeremy Daniel, Javier Naval]
COVID Safety Measures in Place at Altria Theater for Anastasia
Broadway In Richmond looks forward to welcoming everyone to Altria Theater for its presentation of Anastasia, October 26 through 31. The health and safety of patrons, staff, guests, and touring production remains our top priority. While we continue to follow local, state, and federal health guidelines, the following additional COVID safety measures have been put in place by Broadway in Richmond for this presentation:
- All patrons will be expected to present proof of full vaccination against Covid-19, OR a negative COVID test, taken no more than 72 hours before the performance, as well as a photo ID, upon entering the theater.
- Children under the age of 12 must present proof of a negative Covid-19 test, completed no more than 72 hours before the performance, upon entering the building. Children will not be required to present a photo ID if they are accompanied by an adult.
- Patrons are asked to wear masks while they are in the theater, only removing them to eat and drink.
- Patrons that do not have a mask will be provided one for free upon entering the theater.
- Patrons who have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 2 weeks or have been in contact with someone that tested positive for Covid-19, or feel unwell, are asked to stay home. Contact Altria Theater Box Office at info@asmrichmond.comor (804)-592-3368 regarding your options.
At this time, these COVID safety measures are being put in place for Broadway In Richmond’s presentation of Anastasia. Broadway In Richmond is continuing to monitor local, state, and federal guidelines, and will reevaluate patron requirements prior to its next presentation of Come From Away in February.
