From the Trampoline to the Theatre: Georgina Hopson Brings ANASTASIA to Australia

If you ever needed proof that childhood dreams can come true — even the ones acted out on a backyard trampoline — Georgina Hopson is about to give it to you in full Broadway glory. The rising star of stage and screen has officially been crowned as Anya in the Australian premiere of the hit musical ANASTASIA, opening at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre this December before touring to Perth and Sydney in 2026.

For Hopson, this role is more than just a career milestone. “I can’t quite believe that I am going to be playing Anya in ANASTASIA,” she says. “I’ve loved this story and this character since I was a kid. I used to dress up as her and sing Journey to the Past on the trampoline. I wish I could tell my younger self that this was happening — she would have passed out with excitement… which is honestly how I still feel!”

That little-girl enthusiasm is exactly what ANASTASIA taps into — and why it’s set to capture audiences of all ages. Whether you know the animated 20th Century Fox film from the late 90s, or you’re discovering the story for the first time, this musical spins the mystery of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov into a lavish, time-hopping adventure.

From Russia with Mystery (and Paris with Champagne)

Inspired by both the legend of the Romanov family’s last days and the animated fairytale so many of us grew up on, ANASTASIA sweeps audiences from the shadowy twilight of Imperial Russia to the art-drenched boulevards of 1920s Paris.

At its heart is Anya, a young woman with no memory of her past, pursued by those who want her silenced. With the help of a charming conman and a loveable ex-aristocrat, she sets off to discover who she really is — and maybe, just maybe, find her way back to a family she thought was lost forever.

It’s a story packed with mystery, romance, resilience, and a healthy dose of spectacle. Think soaring ballads, sweeping dance numbers, and costumes so opulent they’d make even a Disney princess do a double-take.

Why Parents Will Love It (Even If You’re Leaving the Kids at Home)

While ANASTASIA is family-friendly, it’s also a perfect excuse for a parents’ night out. The mix of lush staging, clever humour, and emotional depth makes it an easy sell to both the musical-theatre devotee and the partner who claims they “don’t do musicals.”

For parents of older kids and teens, this is one of those productions that can ignite a lifelong love of theatre. It’s fast-paced enough to keep young attention spans hooked, while layered with themes of identity, belonging, and hope that resonate long after the curtain falls.

And yes, there’s that “Paris in the roaring twenties” sparkle — so if you’re dreaming of an overseas escape you can’t quite swing yet, this might be your next-best thing.

Georgina Hopson: Leading Lady with Range

Hopson’s résumé is nothing short of impressive. Recent stage credits include Rose Dewitt-Bukater in Titanique, Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour, and Karen in Bananaland. She’s played Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain, Mary Jane Healy in Jagged Little Pill, Lorelai Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and Emma Carew in Jekyll & Hyde.

Her portrayal of Mother in Ragtime won her a Green Room Award for Best Performance in a Leading Role, and she’s been nominated for a Sydney Theatre Award for her role as Gussie in Merrily We Roll Along. Add in appearances in Evita, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!, TV roles in Hoges, Bump and Doctor Doctor, and concert work with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Opera House, and you’ve got a performer who knows how to fill a stage.

If anyone can make Anya both fierce and vulnerable, playful yet determined, it’s Hopson.

The Creative Royal Court

Behind the scenes, ANASTASIA boasts a powerhouse creative team. Directed by Tony Award-winner Darko Tresnjak, with a book by the late five-time Tony Award-winning Terrence McNally, the show’s pedigree is pure Broadway royalty.

The score comes from Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens — the songwriting duo behind Ragtime and Once on This Island. Their music for ANASTASIA blends lush new compositions with beloved numbers from the film, like Journey to the Past and Once Upon a December.

Since its Broadway premiere in 2017, the show has earned multiple awards across the globe, including Best Musical honours in Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain.

Expect the Wow Factor

While the story will hook you, the production values will keep your eyes wide from the first note to the final bow. Expect set pieces that glide from palaces to Parisian cafés, costume changes that happen in a blink, and lighting that shifts the mood from dreamlike to dramatic in seconds.

Parents, here’s a pro tip: if you’re bringing the kids, try for seats where they can see the full stage picture. The visual storytelling here is half the magic.

Dates, Details, and How to Get In

ANASTASIA opens at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre in December 2025, before moving to Perth’s Crown Theatre in March 2026 and Sydney Lyric Theatre in April 2026.

With further casting still to be announced, there’s even more to look forward to — but if you’re already convinced, set your ticket reminders now. Family tickets, girls’ nights, date nights… this one ticks every box.

Parenthood360’s Take

Whether you’re chasing nostalgia, keen to introduce the kids to theatre, or just in desperate need of an evening where no one asks you for a snack mid-scene, ANASTASIA looks set to be the kind of musical that makes you forget about reality for a couple of hours.

And let’s be real — a bit of mystery, a dash of romance, and a whole lot of sequins? That’s our kind of fairytale.

ANASTASIA – THE BROADWAY MUSICAL
Produced by John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia, in collaboration with Stage Entertainment Productions, Tom Kirdahy, Hunter Arnold and Dan Hinde.

Melbourne – Regent Theatre, from December 2025
Perth – Crown Theatre, from March 2026
Sydney – Sydney Lyric Theatre, from April 2026

More info: www.anastasiathemusical.com.au
Follow: @anastasiathemusicalau