Members of the upcoming Rye Neck High School production of “Anastasia”

Rye Neck High School students are excited to be the first in Westchester to perform “Anastasia”, March 2-4. Thirty-two Rye Neck seniors are among the cast and crew of the musical. We spoke with Lulu Tagger-Epstein, who plays the Grand Duchess Anastasia, and Nathaniel Findlay, who plays Dmitri.

Lulu is fascinated by her character “who starts off not knowing who she is and ends up creating her own destiny.” Dmitri is “a surprisingly deep character,” said Nathaniel. “He too goes through an emotionally-wrenching journey.

The story as retold is not a tragedy, the seniors remarked. They said audiences will be intrigued by the new villain, who is more realistic than Rasputin, as well as the love triangle, and will like the ending.

They tipped their hat to Director Cyndi Feinman, Music Director Kathryn Krull, Choreographer Jason Summers, Costume Designers Chakira Doherty and Karen Fontecchio, and Stage Manager Mia Cooper, a fellow student.