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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW 'Mitigation banking' ... The El Niño effect ... Our View: Legislature left unfinished business on ethics ... 'Mitigation banking' ... The El Niño effect ... Our View: Legislature left unfinished business on ethics ... THEATER REVIEW Review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' Comment By Roberta Kent for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Roberta Kent for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Roberta Kent for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Did Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Czar Nicholas, die in the Bolshevik fusillade that killed the rest of her family in 1918? Or did she miraculously survive, to resurface in the mid-1920s as the mysterious Anna Anderson? The play “Anastasia” is a highly romanticized version of the story, dependent on strong actors playing enigmatic Anna; her grandmother, the Grand Duchess, the only person who can positively identify her; and the wily con man, Bounine. The ambitious new production of “Anastasia,” at Ashland’s new Thanks for the Memories Theatre Company, has three talented actors in those roles. They make “Anastasia” worth seeing, in spite of a start-up theater production budget and an unfortunate and unforeseen last-minute change of venue to Ashland’s rather primitive Pioneer Hall. The French playwright Marcelle Maurette’s 1955 play, adapted into English by Guy Bolton, was made into an American film a year later. The movie starred Ingrid Bergman, Yul Brynner and Helen Hayes. Bergman won an academy award for her portrayal of Anna. As rumors of Anastasia’s survival swirl among the Berlin Russian émigré community, former czarist general Bounine has concocted a plot to claim the fortune deposited abroad by the czar. A young amnesiac woman, recently escaped from a mental asylum, is claiming to be the princess. There is enough physical resemblance to make her story vaguely plausible. Bounine will coach her on imperial family details and present her to surviving distant relatives. If he can pass her off, she collects the bank accounts. Anna proves to be a quick study, but also gradually remembers facts and events that would only be known to the real Anastasia. She is able to convince relatives that did not know her well. She even convinces her cousin, Prince Paul, her childhood playmate and betrothed. The critical test will come when she confronts the Grand Duchess, her grandmother. Can Anna convince the regal old woman that she is, indeed, Anastasia? As the Grand Duchess, veteran performer Presila Quinby positively walks off with this production. Quinby has the stage presence and the acting nuances to make the imperious Grand Duchess who has lost everything believable. When Quinby appears on stage, she owns it. Thanks for the Memories Theatre Company founder and artistic director Peter Wickliffe is a deliciously oily and perpetually conniving Bounine. Anna/Anastasia is a complicated role. Meagan Kirby’s performance gets stronger as the plot unfolds and she ultimately steps up to its challenge in the famous “recognition scene” in the second act. Zaq Wentworth and Jonny Degner do a fine job as Bounine’s panicky accomplices. Catherine Hansen provides the comic relief as the fluttery Baroness Livenbaum and John Richardson is properly solemn in the roles of Bounine’s nemesis, Counselor Drivinitz and Anna’s former lover Dr. Serensky. Wickliffe co-directed “Anastasia” with Hansen. He also designed the set, lighting and sound. Thanks for the Memories Theatre Company hoped to present “Anastasia” in its new home at 722 Jefferson Ave. in Ashland, but delayed approvals from the Ashland Building Department made that impossible. The remaining performances of “Anastasia” are in Pioneer Hall, 73 Winburn Way, Ashland, at 8 p.m. on Monday, March 16, at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21 and at 4 p.m., Sunday, March 22. Roberta Kent is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach her at [email protected]. By Roberta Kent for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Roberta Kent for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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