We Tell The Story: The Authorized Ahrens & Flaherty Fan Site

ANASTASIA was Ahrens' & Flaherty's first foray into writing for animated features. Based on the story of the yougest daughter of the Russian Czar Nicholas and his wife Alexandra, the movie capitalizes on the popular myth surrounding Anastasia. Like the Yul Brynner/Ingrid Bergman classic of the same name, the animated Anastasia assumes that the young princess was not executed along with the rest of her family. She has survived, but has lost her memory, and must search for clues to her past. While the movie obviously rewrites history, the score is full of wonderful songs that once again demonstrate the versatility of Ahrens & Flaherty. For the ANASTASIA score, Lynn and Stephen received 2 Golden Globe Nominations for Best Original Song ("Journey to the Past" & "Once Upon a December") and 2 Academy Award nominations (Best Original Song ( "Journey to the Past") & Best Original Score)). The ANASTASIA soundtrack was released on October 28, 1997, and the movie opened in theaters across the US on November 21, 1997. The movie was released on home video on April 28, 1998. In November 1999, the direct-to-video sequel, "Bartok the Magnificent" was released.

On March 14, 2006, a new deluxe DVD set featuring both Anastasia and Bartok the Magnificent was released!

The Cast

Anastasia -- Meg Ryan ( vocals by Liz Callaway)

Dimitri-- John Cusack ( vocals by Jonathan Dokuchitz)

Vladimir-- Kelsey Grammer

Bartok-- Hank Azaria

Rasputin -- Christopher Lloyd ( vocals by Jim Cummings)

Spohie-- Bernadette Peters

Grandmother-- Angela Lansbury

Young Anastasia-- Kirsten Dunst ( vocals by Lacey Chabert)

The Cast

Anastasia -- Meg Ryan ( vocals by Liz Callaway)

Dimitri-- John Cusack ( vocals by Jonathan Dokuchitz)

Vladimir-- Kelsey Grammer

Bartok-- Hank Azaria

Rasputin -- Christopher Lloyd ( vocals by Jim Cummings)

Spohie-- Bernadette Peters

Grandmother-- Angela Lansbury

Young Anastasia-- Kirsten Dunst ( vocals by Lacey Chabert)

The Songs

A Rumor in St. Petersburg-- Jonathan Dokuchitz, Kelsey Grammer
Journey to the Past -- Liz Callaway
Once Upon a December -- Liz Callaway
In the Dark of the Night -- Jim Cummings
Learn to Do it -- Kelsey Grammer, Liz Callaway, Jonathan Dokuchitz
Learn to Do it ( reprise) -- Kelsey Grammer
Paris Holds the Key-- Bernadette Peters
At the Beginning -- Richard Marx & Donna Lewis
Journey to the Past -- Aaliyah
Once Upon a December-- Deanna Carter
Prologue-- Angela Lansbury, Lacey Chabert
Speaking of Sophie-- instrumental
The Nightmare-- instrumental
Kidnap and Reunion-- instrumental
Reminiscing with Grandma-- instrumental
Finale-- instrumental
Viaje Tiempo Atras-- Thalia

Sounds

1) Journey to the Past ( Liz Callaway)

2) At the Beginning ( Richard Marx and Donna Lewis)

Interesting Facts

Writing ANASTASIA was a very different experience for Ahrens & Flaherty in that the songs came long before the screenplay and the animators used the music as a source of inspiration. There were 14 different screenwriters for the project (including Carrie Fisher!). Stephen and Lynn only met 3 of them.
The directive that Stephen and Lynn were given for the feel of "In the Dark of the Night" was "Meat Loaf meets Henry Higgins!"

At the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, Olympic Gold Medalist Tara Lipinski skated her short program to a medley of music from ANASTASIA.
Many Broadway and Cabaret talents sing in the ANASTASIA ensemble, including Judy Blazer, Victoria Clark, Lillias White, Emily Skinner, Gregg Edelman, Michele Pawk, and Alix Korey.
The Family Channel and VH1 TV networks both aired specials on the making of ANASTASIA which included interviews with Ahrens & Flaherty. The "Family Channel" is included as a bonus on the DVD release of the movie.

Articles & Reviews

The Music and Songs of Anastasia

Variety. November 10, 1997. v. 369, no.1, p.39

Detroit News. November 21, 1997.

Detroit News Review

Michael Medved's Review

New York Times. December 3, 1997. v. 147. p. B5. ( This is a review of the CD specifically: Grade: A!!!!)

Major Awards/ Nominations

1998 Academy Award Nomimations: Best Original Song ( "Once Upon a December"); Best Original Score
1998 Golden Globe Award Nominations: Best Original Song ( "Once Upon a December" and "Journey to the Past")

CD Information


Original Soundtrack Recording	1997	Atlantic	83053-2