Stephanie Kurlow is joining the ensemble in the Australian cast of Anastasia, the Broadway musical. And she has a special connection to this tale of the fabled Russian princess.
When Stephanie Kurlow was a little girl, her mother – who had emigrated from Russia – used to put on the movie Anastasia for her to watch. Anastasia was the lost princess of the imperial Romanov family who had supposedly fled Russia when the communist revolution took place.
Stephanie later went on to become a ballerina who danced with The Australian Ballet – and now she is making her professional musical theatre debut in Anastasia, The Broadway Musical.
“Anastasia’s always been a dream show for me,” Stephanie says. “I grew up watching the movie when I was very young, and I’ve read so many books about Anastasia. So it’s genuinely like a dream come true.”
While Stephanie started ballet when she was just two, singing is a new skill she has taken up in the last few years – and she absolutely loves it.
“I used to voice record on my mum’s old iPhone when I was very little, maybe 10, 11 years old,” Stephanie, 24, recalls. “And I used to sing Once Upon a December from the movie (Anastasia). So I’ve been a hardcore fan (for years!)”
The connection with her Russian heritage has provided a full-circle moment for the Inner West resident, who has visited family there. “It’s been a really beautiful experience being able to be a part of such a beautiful story that also feels close to home with my heritage, and being able to share that with the cast and audiences, a bit of history about Russia and Anastasia.”
The musical starts in St Petersburg, set in the early 1900s – a time of grand balls and extravagance. Stephanie gets to play many roles on the stage, including Princess Tatiana, one of the Romanov sisters. “The dresses are just absolutely gorgeous!” Stephanie says – with lavish sets to match.
Rhonda Burchmore
Stephanie gets to ‘have a ball on stage’ with legendary Australian performer Rhonda Burchmore, who plays Countess Lily, in a nightclub scene. There’s also the chance to show off her ballet skills in the show, during a rendition of Swan Lake.
“This show is basically putting together all my best skill sets and niche interests in one show,” Stephanie says. Given it is her first major musical theatre piece, Stephanie says she has received great support. “A lot of people have taken me under their wing with learning how things are in a musical theatre sense. And I’m really appreciative and grateful for (that).”
Performing eight shows a week is quite demanding, but Stephanie takes it all in her stride. “There are definitely days when your body feels it, but I think I’ve been preparing for this my whole life, so I feel like my body’s used to it, and I’m just really soaking it all up and enjoying everything.
Stephanie Kurlow
“Your body is a lot stronger and tougher than we tend to give it credit for, so it’s been a pretty good adjustment, and we have a really great team that’s keeping us well and balanced and making sure we’re all good for the shows, which has been amazing.”
The cast has already performed in Melbourne, with Stephanie’s mother flying down to see her daughter’s debut. “She loved it so much. She said she couldn’t stop crying in the theatre!
“She’s just so proud and always been my biggest supporter. I think of it as a full circle moment for me and her. She claims credit for me booking Anastasia because she got me to watch all the movies growing up, so it was really special for her to see something I’ve grown up with in my childhood come to life on
stage.”
ANASTASIA
Sydney Lyric Theatre
From 7 April
For tickets, go to
or phone 136 100
