LET’S TALK ‘ANASTASIA’
INTERVIEW: JAKE LEVY & SAREEN TCHEKMEDYIAN
BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO
Following its run at the Pantages in October, Broadway’s Anastasia is now playing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. In this Tin Pan L.A. exclusive performers Jake Levy and Sareen Tchekmedyian discuss what it’s like to be in the national touring cast of over twenty-five in this stunning and grand musical. Levy (Dmitry in Anastasia) studied at UCLA and recently appeared Off-Broadway in the new musical Superhero by Tom Kitt and John Logan, Anastasisa musical marks his national tour debut. Tchekmedyian (swing, understudy Odette) is a classically trained ballet dancer from Huntington Beach who has performed with the Sarasota Ballet and Houston Ballet II, Anastasia will mark her debut in musical theater.
Tell us moment you fell in love with theater for the first time.
JL: I first fell in love with theater when I saw Wicked for the first time! I must have been maybe 8 or 9 years old. The show was just the pinnacle of musical theatre to me and even today is still one of my favorite musicals.
ST: I fell in love with ballet before theatre after seeing the nutcracker at Long Beach Ballet when I was 2 years old. Apparently, I couldn’t stop pointing at the stage saying “I want to do that.”
What’s the one of the most important experiences in your career that helped you get from L.A. to working as a professional actor in this show and beyond?
JL: I would say UCLA played a major role in getting me to where I am today. UCLA provided a NYC showcase for us at the end of my senior year, which made the transition into the professional world of theater a lot more tangible post-graduation.
ST: It’s hard to pick one experience, but the most important thing I’ve learned throughout different performance and audition experiences is to trust myself, no matter how much rejection or skepticism I face.
What about this experience has surprised you the most, thus far?
JL: This experience has truly been like no other. Jumping into a show so fast was originally so daunting. I think I surprised myself a little, being able to adjust so quickly into a machine that had been functioning for a year already. I thank the cast and crew for being so welcoming in this process for me and for all their support.
ST: I’m surprised at how much I enjoy living in different homes each week/month. It feels like a free trial for living in random cities. I have a lot of stuff back home and I like pretending to be a minimalist while out on the road (even though I travel quite a bit with me too).
What is your favorite scene in Anastasia both onstage, and to watch from backstage?
JL: Oh wow, I have a different favorite like every week. Honestly I love Learn To Do It. It’s such a fun song to perform and scene to fool around in with Vlad (Ed) and Anya (Lila). When offstage I love watching Lila perform Journey To the Past. Between her vocals and the beautiful projection work the scene is a grand and exciting end to Act 1.
ST: My favorite scene onstage is probably Rumor in St. Petersburg into the audition scene. It is fun to have moments in the ensemble that set up the plot for the rest of the play. My favorite scene to watch is Countess and the Common Man—Ed and Tari are just hilarious.
Why should people seek out Anastasia when it comes close to their city?
JL: Anastasia is a beautiful story about a woman searching for home, love, and family. The yearn for home, love, and family is something that, no matter what age, everyone can relate to! The story is funny, tragic, heartwarming, and heartbreaking; it will appeal to anybody looking for a night of live theater!
ST: I think people should come see Anastasia because it will definitely make them laugh, maybe cry and it is beautiful to watch!
ANASTASIA
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
November 5 – 17, 2019
Tuesday – Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets – Start at $26
In Person – The Box Office
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
Online – SCFTA.org
Phone – (714) 556-2787
Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
Group Sales – (714) 755-0236
Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
