THE ROYAL PLAYERS PRESENT

ANASTASIA: THE MUSICAL

Book by Terrence McNally
Music by Stephen Flaherty 
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens

Inspired by the Twentieth Century Fox Motion Pictures by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical

From the play by Marcelle Maurette as adapted by Guy Bolton

June 11th - 14th and 18th - 21st

A Journey Beyond the Past: Anastasia: The Musical is coming to The Royal Theatre Stage in June. Her past is a mystery. Her future is an adventure. Anastasia: The Musical is the spectacular new musical about discovering who you are and defining who you’re meant to be. Audiences are invited to step into a world of mystery, romance, and adventure as this
beloved story comes to life on stage. Sponsored by Stillwell Insurance and Financial Services and Roberson and Associates.

DATES AND TIMES

Performances are Thursday thru Sunday June 11th - 14th and 18th - 21st, 2026.

All Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances (June 11th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th, and 20th) will begin at 7:00pm. Sunday matinees (June 14th and 21st) will begin at 2:00pm. Box office and lobby will open approximately one hour before show time, and the house will open 15 - 20 minutes prior to curtain.

Run time is approximately 2.5 hours, plus intermission.  This show is designated as assigned seating. Please check your seating assignment before completing your purchase. We are able to exchange, transfer or move tickets to another date or person. All sales are final, and refunds cannot be issued. 

The Royal Theatre is located at 111 S. Market Street in Historic Downtown Benton. Online ticket prices are: $20 general admission; $15 for seniors age 60+, college students, and members of the military; $10 for 12th grade and younger plus additional fees. For online ticket sales, go to https://onthestage.tickets/the-royal-theatre. 

Box office ticket prices are: $22 general admission; $17 for seniors age 60+, college students, and members of the military; $12 for 12th grade and younger, which includes all fees. For more information email [email protected].

For accessible or special needs seating, email [email protected] or call 501-315-5483 (voicemail only).

**This show may contain strobe lights and haze.

We highly recommend that tickets be purchased in advance, as we cannot guarantee availability at the door.

SYNOPSIS

Inspired by the legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, and featuring a sweeping score including favorites like “Journey to the Past” and “Once Upon a December, Anastasia follows a brave young woman named Anya as she sets out to discover her past. From the twilight of the Russian Empire to the vibrant streets of 1920s Paris, her journey is filled with danger, hope, and the possibility of finding where she truly belongs. Anastasia: The Musical is a full-length Broadway musical created by Tony Award winning book writer Terrence McNally, composer Stephen Flaherty, and lyricist Lynn Ahrens, and inspired by the Twentieth Century Fox film, adapted from Marcelle Maurette’s play as adapted by Guy Bolton.

Special thanks to the Benton A&P Commission for their support.

ANASTASIA is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals www.concordtheatricals.com.

The Royal Theatre at 111 S. Market St. in Benton, Arkansas was built in 1948-1949 as an extensive renovation of a prior theatre and that was already deemed historic. The oldest part of the theatre was part of the 1920 "Imp" (for "Independent Motion Pictures") theatre. The sign and marquee of the theatre, and the rest of the 1948-1949 redesign, were designed by Little Rock architects Frank Ginocchio and Edwin B. Cromwell in Moderne style. Ginocchio and Cromwell had designed a Royal Theatre in Little Rock that used the sign and marquee; they reused the material in the Benton theatre later.

In 1996, the Royal Theatre was bought and renovated by actor Jerry Van Dyke. Most of the block that the theatre is located on was also renovated at that time. Jerry Van Dyke added Jerry Van Dyke's Soda Shoppe, a candy store, a baseball card trading store, as well as a small antique store. Jerry Van Dyke sold the Royal Theatre and the rest of the property in 2000 and 2001. The Royal Theatre was donated to the “Central Arkansas Community Players", who then changed the name to the "Royal Players" and continues to perform in it to this day.

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.