Anastasia Affaire

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Music By Sergei Rachmaninoff
Lyrics By Robert Wright and George Forrest
Book/Libretto by: Jerome Chodorov and Guy Bolton
Based on: "Anastasia" by Marcelle Maurette and Guy Bolton
Opened: November 29, 1965
# of Performances: 16
Licensing Agent: Music Theatre International

Synopsis

ACT I

Baron Drivinitz is pacing, angrily glaring at Chernov and Petrovsky as he waits impatiently for the arrival of Alex Bounine - a former Cossack General who is now forced to drive a taxi for his living. Bounine sweeps into the room apologizing to the Baron for being late. After Bounine dismisses his valet, Sergei, he sits down with Drivinitz to talk about his concerns. It appears that the Baron is upset that he has given Bounine and his cohorts three hundred and thirty thousand marks to find the Grand Duchess Anastasia, and so far they have nothing to show for it. Bounine promises Drivinitz that he will deliver the Duchess. The Baron wants the heir to the throne of Russia, and he shall have her in three weeks. Hearing this, Drivinitz grants him the extension, and leaves with a flourish.

Once the Baron is gone, Petrovsky and Chernov confront their boss, Bounine, asking him how he can deliver what he has promised. It is then that Bounine casually tells them that he has indeed found the Duchess. She is Anna Nielsen - a woman living in an asylum in Dansdorf. Whether or not she really is the real Anastasia, Bounine is certain that they are going to convince the people (most of all the London bankers) that she is indeed the long-lost heir to the Czar's millions. Her resemblance is striking. She is educated, and she has a certain air of quiet nobility. Bounine doesn't believe for a minute that she really is Anastasia. He believes that the real Duchess was murdered along with the other Russian nobility; however, there are those who believe that she is alive, and it their job to prove she is. In actuality, this woman is a somewhat crazy schoolteacher who at one time claimed to be the Duchess. She was wandering the streets and was picked up by the police. Now she doesn't claim to be the Duchess; however, for their own personal wealth, they need to convince her that being one is the way to go.

Bounine further tells his assistants that she is, in fact, in the kitchen. He was bringing her to the house. But he sent her in the back way when he saw the Baron's car outside. He further warns the men that she is on the verge of a total breakdown and is in need of total moral and physical support. Sergei then brings her in. She is hunched over like a whipped dog - wearing a cheap, faded dress; her hair is unkempt. Bounine leads her to a luxurious armchair and she sits down for a brandy. He then has Chernov and Petrovsy examine the woman to confirm her validity. It appears that they both knew Anastasia a long time ago (one as a dentist and one as a couturier) and they want to see how she matches up with what they remember. The two con men argue amongst themselves, and Bounine rather than let them continue, shoves out of the room for a little "conversation."

Left alone, Anna hears a haunting melody followed by voices from all around. She tries to sing with them, but fails and collapses to the ground - all the time wondering just who she is and where she comes from. ("A Song From Somewhere") She rushes to the doorway, but is stopped by Bounine who reminds her that at the asylum she told him that she was the Grand Duchess. She tells him that she was ill then and full of strange ideas. Bounine is determined to convince her that she has amnesia, which can be cured with money - fifty million English pounds to be exact. Yes, the real Anastasia was probably shot and killed with the rest of her family, but for their purposes she survived. Anna tries to run again; however, Bounine urges her to stay and with his help learn how to love.

He shows her an album of photos taken by the Czar himself and also gives Anastasia's governess' diary which Bounine was able to get through quite a bit of blackmail. He wants Anna to absorb all the information here in three weeks so she can pass herself off as the real Duchess. Showing her a variety of pictures, he is astounded how quickly she catches on - or is it remembers all that is presented to her? There is one relative who is alive - The Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna, her grandmother, who went back to living in her native Denmark just before the Bolshevick Revolution. Lastly, she sees the picture of a very important gentleman: her cousin, Prince Paul of Haraldeberg to whom she was engaged at fifteen. If she can convince him she is Anastasia, he will do the best to convince those London bankers as well. He and Anna comb through the photo albums, as Bounine attempts to transform this disheveled young woman into a Duchess. ("I Can See Her Now") Bounine's other assistants all return to helping in the selling game and before long Anna begins to conduct herself like of woman of breeding and nobility - even calling herself Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicholaevna!

A few days later, Sergei answers the phone. It is the newspaper calling wishing to confirm a rumor they have heard. Yes, the word is out! Anastasia lives! Anna is learning everything so quickly, they hardly can believe that she isn't really the Duchess. Baron Drivinitz returns - angrily wishing to see Anastasia. It appears that a colleague of Sigmuend Freud has even examined her and thinks she may be someone of breeding. However, he wants to see for himself. Sergei and Chernov dismiss Drivinitz - not letting him see Anna. He gave them three weeks, and only two have go by so far.

Anna appears later -studying the Governess' diary. She hears an eerie tune in her mind and hums along. When Petrovsky enters smoking a cigarette, Anna chastises him for doing so in her presence. He runs off in a fluster; however, Bounine is thrilled to see that she is making such progress behaving in such a regal fashion. To her it only is a bit of momentary confusion - or so she says. Bounine prepares Anna for her most difficult test of all - meeting her cousin, Prince Paul, the only person other than her Grandmother who will question her most intensely. Petrovsky then announces that a woman has arrived who insists on seeing Anastasia. She says that she knew her Highness in Petrograd. Bounine sees this as a good "first test" for Anna and orders Petrovsky to let the woman in - even though Anna objects.

Sonia Seretskya, a woman in her late 60's, enters with her daughter and son. It appears that she was a housekeeper at the winter palace, and when she sees Anna, she breaks into sobs and kneels in disbelief. Yes, the Grand Duchess lives! Sonia has been living in Germany for quite some time now, and can only dream of the day when they all can return home. ("Homeward")

Bounine calls Prince Paul who comes for a visit. Yes, many people have claimed to have found the real Duchess, his childhood sweetheart, but they have all be fakes. Bounine talks with the Prince (a man of breeding who is short on cash) and convinces Paul to sign a contract promising him fifty percent of anything Bounine makes for finding Anastasia. Prince Paul's voucher will surely account for a lot. ("Buon Aristocrat") Also, if Paul does marry Anastasia, he could suddenly be sharing quite a lot of money with a new wealthy wife.

When Paul does finally meet Anastasia, he, too, stares in disbelief. The two recount memories from their childhood - all of them very clear to Anna. He tells her that he has never married since he has waited for her all these years. They were engaged after all. ("Drawn To You") Though he is ready to be swept back into a relationship with Anastasia, it is she who hesitates - saying that they are now two different people. She leaves.

When Bounine talks with Paul again, the Prince assures him that Anna will do. He doesn't for a minute believe that she is the real Duchess since everyone knows that the real one died before a firing squad with the rest of her family; however, that is besides the point. The money he can make if he plays along is too good to be true. Now, all they have to do is convince the bankers in London, but both men are certain that she can do it. Also, if Paul announces his engagement to Anna at the banker presentation, this will surely help seal the deal. Bounine convinces him to keep it a secret from everyone - even Anna.

No sooner is the Prince gone when Bounine celebrates with his cohorts - though the others wonder if they can trust Anna through all of it so they can get their cut of the money. Bounine further talks with Anna who is happy that things appear to be going so well. In a few short weeks she has gone from an insane asylum to being a Grand Duchess - Cinderella herself. The only difference was that Cinderella was in love with her Prince. Bounine tries to convince her that love is reduced to the strictly essential - nothing heartfelt. Anna, however, has other thoughts of her own. ("My Kind of Love") Oddly enough, after a short time together, the two of them end up in each other's arm kissing passionately.

Several days later, Bounine's assistants are cleaning house - preparing for Anna's formal presentation. Though Drivinitz is taking credit for finding the Duchess, it is only a few short hours they will all be rich again thanks to Anastasia. ("Thanks To Her")

Anna enters in her dressing gown and asks Sergei to get Bounine, which he does. She is terribly distracted hearing voices in her head. ("That Song") When Bounine finally enters, she promptly tells him that she can't go through with the deception anymore. She is too frightened. In fact, she is not worried so much about herself as she is worried what might happen to Bounine if something goes wrong. She clearly loves him now! Bounine convinces her to go through with it for the money! Then, they can run off together.

When Anna is presented to the powers that be, everyone is awed. She is dressed regally in a long gown and beautiful jewelry. The suspicious Sir Archibald of the British bank questions Anna extensively, but is interrupted by Prince Paul who announces his impending wedding to Anastasia. Anna stares in disbelief - both at Paul and Bounine. It is then that Anna confesses to everyone there that she indeed was found in an asylum, was rescued by Bounine, and has learned everything she knows from the books and photos he provided her. She strips off her long gloves and tosses them at Paul and Bounine - leaving the room is tears. Everyone is shocked, except for Sir Archibald who hurries off - happy about not having to give any of the bank's money back to Anastasia.

Once he is gone, pandemonium breaks out with Drivinitz calling the police charging Bounine and his accomplishes with fraud. Strangely enough, Bounine laughs through all of this - commenting on how he created the perfect Romanoff princess who had everyone virtually eating out of her hand!

ACT II

Many hours later, shortly before dawn, Chernov, Petrovsky, and Sergei are quite drunk. Bounine is handling his liquor quite well as he sits watching the policeman who guards them all under "House Arrest." The men wonder just what will happen to them; however, Bounine promises them that he will take full responsibility for everything that has happened. As they wait to see just what the fates will bring them, they drink. ("Here Tonight, Tomorrow -- Where?") After they finish toasting once again, Bounine orders them to bed.

Anna enters to talk with Bounine. She apologizes for what has happened - telling Bounine that she never would have said what she did had she known it would mean a jail term for him. He appears rather uninterested in the whole affair, but Anna further presses him on the issue at hand. She asks him what the real Anastasia was like. He did know her after all when he was a General in the Russian army. Bounine tells her that it was a long time ago when she was still almost a child. He danced with her once - at a ball - on her sixteenth birthday. As he remembers, she wasn't like a princess at all. ("The Anastasia Waltz") It appears that he was completely enchanted many years ago, as he is once again enchanted now with Anna as the two of them waltz together.

They are only interrupted by Paul who enters to ask Bounine to just disappear from Berlin. The Prince is more convinced than ever that Anna is really Anastasia, and he has no interest in having any more problems, so he asks Bounine to leave - escape. This way, he and Anna can be alone. Also, with Bounine gone, Paul can prevent the Baron from dropping the charges of fraud. Bounine resists; however, Paul tries to further complicate things by telling him that Anastasia's grandmother, The Dowager Empress, is arriving. Paul has telephoned her to come - telling her that he is certain of Anna's validity. Even after last night's calamity, if the Empress believes Anna to be her granddaughter, the rest of the world will follow suit. All three of them (Bounine, Paul, and Anna) think to themselves about their situations. Anna can finally have family love she has always longed for. Bounine will be respected once again amongst Russian society. Paul can finally live like a prince with all the money he needs. ("Lost and Found")

Late the next afternoon, Chernov and Petrovsky are preparing the house for the Empress' arrival - even putting a large throne-like chair (from the set of Boris Goudonov) in place for her to "hold court." They realize that without the Empress, they are all going to jail. When Bounine finds what they are doing, he orders them to remove the "vulgar" piece of furniture, and they do. Sergei announces the Empress' arrival and she enters the room on Paul's arm followed by Baron Drivinitz.

The Empress greets Bounine with a touch of disdain - telling him she is certain that her granddaughter is dead. Paul tries to convince her otherwise; however; she feels the Prince is only out to get some much-needed money. Drivinitz has financed the whole search, and as far as she is concerned wants a return on his investment. However, she feels it is her duty to meet the woman and she orders Bounine to bring Anna in.

Anna appears - dressed youthfully - just as she was the last time her grandmother saw her many years ago. The men all leave the two women alone. The Empress is impressed at the resemblance; however, still has many doubts. She questions Anna extensively, and Anna responds correctly to all questions. Though the Empress softens a bit, she cannot help but think that Anna is only doing this for the millions of dollars that are waiting for her - even though Anna tries to convince her otherwise. The Empress prepares to leave; however, Anna begs her to stay - dropping to her knees beside the Empress and clasping her dress spewing out details that only the real Anastasia shared with her grandmother. When Anna finally sings a lullaby that the Empress sang to her as a girl, the old woman collapses into her arms. Together they sing that lullaby again. ("Think Upon Something Beautiful")

Paul and Drivinitz congratulate Bounine on making this happen. The Prince assures Bounine that he will get his commission, but it is obvious that he cares nothing for Anna and less for Bounine. Drivinitz goes off with Paul to call Sir Archibald and get the money transferred to Anna. Chernov and Petrovsky who have observed Paul and Drivinitz comment to Bounine that they don't trust the two men. Bounine tries to explain to his cohorts that once Paul has control of the money there is nothing any of them can do. Sure, they all planned on being millionaires; however, that probably won't happen. Bounine advises them to take their share of what's left of the original Drivinitz investment and get out of Berlin. He gives them each their money and chases them off. With his men gone, Bounine sits looks at a photo of Anastasia and addresses himself: "Well, General -- the ultimate victory -- and the final defeat." He puts the picture down and leaves the room.

Anna enters the gloomy room, and opens the garden drapes - letting in the golden sunset. Having found her grandmother, she suddenly feels reborn. ("I Live Again") Bounine enters with a suitcase and is prepared to go - to where he is not sure. She tries to convince him to stay. After all, he is entitled to his share of the millions; however, knowing how Paul and Drivinitz will operate things, Bounine feels it is best that he just leave. ("If This Is Good-bye") It is quite obvious that Anna and Bounine are both quite in love with each other. The Dowager Empress enters and sees them looking at each other and stops Bounine from leaving - reminding him that he is certainly entitled to a finder's fee. Bounine tells her that he will accept nothing from her for what he has done; instead, he bows to the women, picks up his bag and leaves.

Anna sinks into a chair weeping softly, but the Empress stops her from doing so - reminding her that when she was a child she never let her do so. Anna tells her that she doesn't want the money - she only wanted to find her grandmother. She further confesses that she loves Bounine and the old woman reminds her that she already knows that. Without hesitation, the Empress picks her granddaughter up and sends her off to find Bounine. She further assures them that together with love they can both conquer many things. Anna leaves all the money and title behind - all for the man she loves.

Song List

• Prelude And The Unfinished Melody
• A Song From Somewhere
• I Can See Her Now
• Homeward
• Born Aristocrat
• Drawn To You
• My Kind Of Love
• Thanks To Her
• That Song
• Here Tonight, Tomorrow Where?
• Lost And Found
• Think Upon Something Beautiful
• Little Hands
• I Live Again
• If This Is Goodbye

Misc. Show Information

This show is a revision of Anya

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Added: Fri Apr 15 2005
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