Georgina Hopson
Anya
Georgina Hopson is an acclaimed performer with an extensive career spanning stage and screen. She trained at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, earning a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre in 2014.
Her stage credits include Rose Dewitt-Bukater in Titanique (Michael Cassel Group); Christine Daaé in Phantom of the Opera (Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour); Karen in Bananaland (Brisbane Festival); Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain (Prospero Arts); Alternate Mary Jane Healy in Jagged Little Pill (GWB Entertainment); Lorelai Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Hayes Theatre Co.) and Emma Carew in Jekyll & Hyde (Hayes Theatre Co.). Georgina also performed the role of Mother in Ragtime (The Production Company) for which she won a Green Room Award for Best Performance in a Leading Role. She was also nominated for a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Gussie in Merrily We Roll Along (Hayes Theatre Co.) Other notable credits include Evita (Opera Australia/Gordon Frost Organisation); My Fair Lady (Opera Australia/Gordon Frost Organisation); Oklahoma! (The Production Company).
In television, Georgina played Wendy Hogan in the TV miniseries Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story (Fremantle Media). She also appeared in Bump S2 (Roadshow Rough Diamond) and Doctor Doctor S5 (Easy Tiger).
Georgina’s concert work includes Hopelessly Devoted: A Celebration of Olivia Newton-John (MSO), To Barbra With Love (MSO/Make My Mark) and The Golden Age of Broadway for the Sydney Opera House’s 50th birthday celebrations. She was also the recipient of the 2017 Rob Guest Endowment Award.
Robert Tripolino
Dmitry
Robert Tripolino is an Australian actor, composer and producer who has been calling London home for the last few years. Most recently, Robert returned to Australia to reprise the role of Jesus in the Perth season of Jesus Christ Superstar after having played the role at the London Barbican Centre.
In the UK, Robert played the role of Marius in Cameron Mackintosh’s award-winning West End production of Les Misérables and also played the role of The Man in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Whistle Down the Wind. Other UK credits include playing the titular character Mr. Dellamort. in Falling in Love with Mr. Dellamort. Prior to this, Robert has had success in Australia as a performer with numerous productions and shows including playing Roger in Jonathan Larson’s hit musical RENT at the iconic Sydney Opera House as well as Disney’s hit musical Aladdin in the role of Omar. Robert has also had the pleasure of workshopping alongside Stephen Schwartz performing the role of Sal in the UK premier of RAGS in Manchester.
As a writer, Robert has written Dreamsong, which premiered where he graduated from (Victorian College of the Arts) in 2011 and then again at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The show is currently being workshopped in London. Other writing credits include Guilty Pleasures, Death Suits You and numerous short works with Meerkat; a production company that adapt children’s literature for the stage.
As a producer, Robert has created several shows in both London and Australia. His most recent works include his solo London concert, Midnight Somewhere. Robert also produced his own musical Dreamsong as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Robert’s passion project sits in his hometown of Geelong, where his family has been running and refurbishing the Palais Geelong theatre since 1997. For the theatre, Robert produced the show House of Dreams, a community project that celebrated the memory and community that the Palais Geelong created in its golden era from the 40’s to the 70’s. He is now working alongside historians to create an oral history text that gives readers the opportunity to deep dive into the history of the Palais Geelong and all the amazing acts that played there.
Joshua Robson
Gleb
Since graduating from the VCA in 2011, Joshua has forged a highly successful career on stage, which includes winning the Rob Guest Endowment Award in 2014.
Joshua is most recognised for his performance as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera with Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (2022), for which he was nominated for Best Lead Performance in a Musical at the Sydney Theatre Awards.
His performance credits also include Quasimodo in Quasimodo the Musical, performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir; Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm in A Little Night Music (Hayes Theatre Co); Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Victorian Opera); Metropolis (Little Eggs Collective); Shrek the Musical (GFO); Muriel’s Wedding the Musical (Global Creatures); My Fair Lady (Opera Australia/GFO); Les Misérables (Cameron Mackintosh); Dream Lover: The Bobby Darin Musical (GFO) and King Kong: Live on Stage (Global Creatures).
His concert credits include Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel: A Concert; Superstars – A Celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice for The Very Popular Theatre Company alongside Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino & Chloé Zuél, and most recently, Disney in Concert! at Arts Centre Melbourne and Sydney Opera House.
Joshua is the proud director/ founder of Joshua Robson Productions. JRP has staged and toured productions of Guilty Pleasures; Violet; Songs for a New World; Bonnie & Clyde; City of Angels; Little Women; The Producers and most recently, after sell-out seasons at Sydney Opera House and Hayes Theatre, the critically acclaimed production of In The Heights in Melbourne and Gold Coast.
He would like to take a moment for his support network and those that keep him going, especially his wife, Ash x
Rodney Dobson
Vlad
Rodney Dobson spent two years playing Maurice in the Australian tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Other credits include some of Australia’s most iconic performances including Moulin Rouge; Chicago; Evita (Opera Australia); Legally Blonde; Dream Lover; My Fair Lady (Opera Australia); Singin’ in the Rain; Les Miserables (25th Anniversary), Annie; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; Moonshadow; Wicked; Company; Rosie; The Full Monty; Sweeney Todd (Opera Australia); Twelfth Night (Belvoir St); Buddy; Jolson; The 10th Anniversary tour of Les Miserables; Sunset Boulevard; Miss Saigon; South Pacific; Aspects of Love; Miss Julie (Sydney Theatre Company); Return to the Forbidden Planet and Chess.
Rhonda Burchmore
Countess Lily
With a career spanning over 40 years, highlights of Rhonda Burchmore’s illustrious career include performing on London’s West End in Sugar Babies featuring Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller, Stop The World I Want To Get Off with Anthony Newley, starring opposite David Atkins in the original Hot Shoe Shuffle and opening Crown Casino with her cabaret spectacular Red, Hot & Rhonda.
Rhonda starred as Velma Von Tussle in the acclaimed smash Hairspray on its national tour in 2022/23 and 2024/25 saw her star as Sister Mary Lazarus in Sister Act: The Musical. Other productions include lead roles in Follies; Into the Woods; Mame; Easter Parade; Annie Get Your Gun; The Boyfriend; Urinetown; They’re Playing Our Song; Song & Dance; Guys & Dolls; Respect- A Musical Journey of Women; Little Orphan Trashley; Eurobeat; Calendar Girls; La Cage Aux Folles; Jerry’s Girls; The Drowsy Chaperone and as Tanya in the original Australian production of Mamma Mia.
In 2020, Rhonda appeared on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, winning the hearts of Australians and placing third. Rhonda’s other television credits include Darby and Joan (ABC), Fam Time (Ch7) and the Nine Network’s Love Child. There are also numerous performances on long running variety shows Hey Hey It’s Saturday; The Don Lane Show; The Mike Walsh Show; The Midday Show; Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton; Spicks and Specks; Studio Ten and Carols by Candlelight.
Rhonda made her film debut in the role of Kate in The Pirate Movie, was a featured guest on Da Kath & Kim Code and more recently as Cheryl in The Wedding Party. In 2016 Rhonda co-produced and starred in the outrageous TWINS with Trevor Ashley; which after a sell-out premiere season at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, headlined the Adelaide Cabaret Festival the same year. In 2017 Rhonda produced, cowrote and starred in ABBA-solutely Fabulous with best friend Lara Mulcahy, which continues to play sell out engagements across the country. The two dynamos later returned with a new Rhonda Burchmore production Partners in Crime.
In 2014 Rhonda was awarded the OAM for her service to the performing arts and community as well as the Cabaret Icon Award at the International Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Rhonda’s cabaret shows include My Funny Valentine; Fever; Everybody Loves Rhonda; Legs 11; Cry Me A River- The World Of Julie London and Vinyl Viagra.
In 2002 and 2012 Rhonda won Female Vocal Performer of The Year at the MO Awards and ACE Awards. In 2011, Rhonda released her auto-biography Legs 11: My Life in Front of the Lights and Backstage, with New Holland Publishing. It was re-released in a 2018 with additional chapters. Rhonda has recorded five albums including A Red Hot Swingin Christmas; Pure Imagination; Midnight Rendezvous; Live At The Melbourne Concert Hall and Cry Me A River – The World of Julie London with ABC radio.
and
Nancye Hayes
Dowager Empress
Nancye Hayes began her career with J.C. Williamson Theatres Ltd as a chorus member in My Fair Lady. She went on to star in many major musical productions including Sweet Charity, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, Guys & Dolls and 42nd Street and is now celebrating over 60 years in the industry.
Nancye’s recent credits include Mary Poppins as Bird Woman (Michael Cassel Group); A Little Night Music (Hayes Theatre Co) for which Nancye won the 2023 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical; Ripcord (State Theatre of South Australia) and her one woman show Hayes (Hayes Theatre Co) for which she received Best Cabaret Performance at the Sydney Theatre Awards.
Other credits include Minnie and Laraz (Melbourne Theatre Co); Six Dance Lessons with Todd McKenney (Ensemble Theatre and Christine Dunstan Productions); Follies in Concert (StoreyBoard Entertainment); Sondheim on Sondheim (Manilla Street Productions); Ruth in Pirates of Penzance (Harvest Rain); Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest (State Theatre Company SA); Miss Hannigan in the Australian tour of Annie (The Gordon Frost Organisation); A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Jerry’s Girls; Grey Gardens; Follies; Oklahoma; Music Man; Funny Girl; Brigadoon (The Production Co.), Murderers (Ensemble); A Little Night Music; My Fair Lady (Opera Australia) and Sunday in the Park with George (Victorian Opera).
Nancye also made a significant contribution as a theatre director. Her credits include The Boy from Oz; Sweet Charity; Gypsy (The Production Co.); Crazy for You and The World Goes Round (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts); Australia’s Leading Ladies Concert (Brisbane Festival); The Wizard of Oz (GFO/SEL/Macks Entertainment) and Noel & Gertie (Christine Dunstan Productions).
Nancye received the 2025 Equity Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Helpmann Awards in 2011, the Sydney Theatre Awards in 2009 and the Green Room Awards Association in 2003. Nancye was honoured with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 1981 and an AM in 2014.
Sophia Bae
Ensemble | Odette
Originally from Christchurch, Sophia is a proud Kiwi artist with South Korean Heritage. She trained at Southern Ballet Theatre from 2008-2019, training full time with the company from the age of 15.
In 2020, she moved to Melbourne on a full scholarship to train at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance, graduating from the full-time program in 2021. Since completing her studies, Sophia has been a feature of the Melbourne corporate scene with highlights including the AFL Grand Final, Victorian Dance Festival and Tones and I’s Won’t Sleep music video. Sophia is thrilled to be making her musical theatre debut in Anastasia and is grateful to share the stage with such a talented and passionate team.
Elliot Baker
Ensemble | Count Ipolitov | Tsar Nicholas II
Elliot most recently featured as Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Crossroads Live). His other credits include Don Attilio in The Phantom of the Opera (Opera Australia/Really Useful Group); Monsieur Lefèvre and Don Attilio in The Phantom of The Opera on Sydney Harbour (Handa Opera/Opera Australia) and Male Swing in Friends! The Musical Parody (SK Entertainment).
Elliot would like to thank his family Lachlan, Wendy, and Eliza Baker for their constant support, faith and love.
Nicholas Cunningham
Ensemble
Nicholas Cunningham is an Australian artist/choreographer with an international career spanning over two decades. His Broadway credits include La Cage aux Folles, Phantom of the Opera and The Terms of My Surrender with West End credits including La Cage aux Folles, Swan Lake and Movin’ Out.
On screen he has appeared in Nine and Pirate Radio plus featured appearances on The Tony Awards; PBS Great Performances and American Horror Story.
He has performed on stage at Carnegie Hall and NY City Center as well as for the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera and Moulin Rouge.
Nicholas’ choreography credits include La Cage aux Folles; Candide; Bernstein’s Mass; Judgement Day; Broadway Backwards; Broadway Bares and Pet Shop Boys. Nicholas recently toured Australia as Resident Choreographer/Swing for The Lord of the Rings.
Davis Giotopoulos Moore
Ensemble | Siegfried
Davis is delighted to be making his Australian stage debut in Anastasia. He previously worked as a Featured Corps De Ballet Dancer/Assistant Choreographer at the St. Petersburg State Ballet Theatre of Boris Eifman. During his time with the company Davis performed in Anna Karenina; Rodin; Russian Hamlet; Onegin; Requiem; PRO et CONTRA; Don Juan; Up & Down and both performed and was part of the original cast filming of The Pygmalion Effect.
He is a graduate of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. Davis is endlessly thankful for the love and support he receives from his family, friends, and mentors.
Todd Goddard
Count Leopold | Gorlinsky
Todd is delighted to be appearing with Crossroads Live and Opera Australia again. Having made his professional music theatre debut at age twelve when he was cast alongside Julie Anthony in the Australian Elizabethan Trust’s Sydney production of The Sound of Music, Todd has since enjoyed a performing career of over four decades.
After graduating from The University of Sydney, he has worked steadily in music theatre, often performing in Australian premieres of new work. He originated the role of Brian Perkins, one of the Delltones, in the Australian tour and world premiere of Shout! The Legend of the Wild One and workshopped and toured in the original Australian production and world premiere of Dusty – The Original Pop Diva. He then added yet another new Australian musical to his credits playing Judith Durham’s father in Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical.
Recent stage credits include the 20th Anniversary production of Hairspray (Crossroads Live), Promises Promises (Hayes Theatre Co) and Kiss Me Kate at The Foundry for Neglected Musicals. Other career highlights include the Australian premieres of Titanic; The Light in the Piazza: In Concert; Doctor Zhivago; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and playing the villainous, but inept Vulgarian spy, Boris in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Todd has toured in national revivals of Annie and The Phantom of the Opera and performed in a concert presentation of Funny Girl with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. International credits include the Korean/Taiwanese tour of Jekyll & Hyde, The Phantom of the Opera in Korea and New Zealand, and featured Male Vocalist for Royal Caribbean Cruises.
Television credits include the recent SBS docu-drama The Jury: Death on the Staircase; Murder Call; Facing Evil; Home & Away and various commercial campaigns. He is also an experienced recording artist whose work includes cast recordings of Annie and Shout!. He also is a sought-after session vocalist and voice artist.
Manon Gunderson-Briggs
Swing
Manon was last seen as Announcer in the award-winning world premiere of Phar Lap: The Electro Swing Musical (Hayes Theatre Co). Manon’s other professional credits include standby Lana in No Love Songs (New Theatricals); Janice & Others in the Australian tour of Come From Away (New Theatricals); Gingy in Shrek the Musical (GFO); Cheryl in the world premiere of Muriel’s Wedding the Musical (STC/Global Creatures); Joanie Heslop in the Australian tour of Muriel’s Wedding the Musical (Global Creatures); Hatchetface in Cry-Baby (Hayes Theatre/LPD); Girl in Incredibilia (Kim Carpenter Productions) and Swing in Flat Earthers The Musical (Hayes Theatre Co).
She is beyond thrilled to be a part of Anastasia and thanks her agent, friends and family for their support.
Stephanie Kurlow
Ensemble | Dunya
Stephanie Kurlow is beyond excited to make her professional musical theatre debut in Anastasia. Born and raised in Sydney as a proud Tatar-Russian Australian, she is recognised as the world’s first hijabi ballerina.
Her professional credits include Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with The Australian Ballet (Capitol Theatre), Romeo and Juliet and Don Quixote (Sydney Opera House), and the Australian tour of Party Time Big Show Tour for The Wiggles and their ABC TV Series as “Stephanie Ballerina.”
Stephanie’s achievements include a scholarship to The Royal Danish Ballet Summer School, global media campaigns for Google, Converse, Nescafé and Lenovo, and was featured in Misty Copeland’s Swans for Relief short film. Stephanie is endlessly grateful to her mum, family and friends for their love and support.
Iosefa Laga’aia
Swing
Iosefa made his professional debut in the original Australian cast of Hamilton (Michael Cassel), later joining the original Hamilton international company before returning to Australia for the final Sydney season.
Most recently, he appeared in the Australian premiere production of Hadestown with Opera Australia / JONES Theatrical Group. His screen credits include Wakefield (ABC) and commercial work for Perfect Italiano and KFC.
Iosefa is a graduate of Brent Street Academy of Performing Arts with a Diploma of Musical Theatre, and he has been a proud member of MEAA since 2020.
Keian Langdon
Ensemble | Rothbart
Keian Langdon studied at The McDonald College of Performing Arts and Queensland Ballet.
Keian’s credits include playing Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire; Arthur in King Arthur and the Tales of Camelot; Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet; Von Rothbart/Rasputin in Swan Lake and Don Jose in Carmen (Queensland Ballet); West Side Story and Carousel (Oper Graz Tanz, Austria); Cacti (Sydney Dance Company); King Roger (Opera Australia); The Merry Widow (Opera Australia); Paradis & Elements (Norwegian Cruise Line) and Step One Dance Company (RWS Global/Holland America Line).
Keian was an original Australian cast member of Moulin Rouge, The Musical! (Global Creatures).
Bella Minniti
Ensemble | Marfa
Bella Minniti is making her professional debut in Anastasia and is overjoyed to be a part of the original Australian cast.
Bella is a Sydney-based artist, originally from Perth, Western Australia. She trained in Classical Ballet at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and continued her studies in Sydney at Brent Street, where she received her Diploma in Musical Theatre. During her time at Brent Street, Bella had the pleasure of playing Heather Chandler in Heathers and The Witch in Into the Woods in their annual productions.
Her theatre credits include The Wizard of Oz (HAMA Productions) at Crown Theatre; Bare: A Pop Opera (Aries Productions) as Tanya; All Shook Up (HAMA Productions) at Crown Theatre as Ensemble and understudy for Miss Sandra; and FAME the Musical (HAMA Productions) at Crown Theatre in the Ensemble, covering the role of Iris. She recently appeared in Holiday Inn (Well Done Creative) at the Hayes Theatre.
Bella is endlessly grateful for the team at Kulik Management for their unwavering support and dedicates this performance to her loved ones.
Nathan Pinnell
Swing | Resident Choreographer
Nathan is an award-winning performer whose professional career began at the age of 9 in two Opera Australia productions, Falstaff and Manon Lescaut. As a young boy he also appeared in numerous television commercials including for Sea Monkeys, Australia Post and Meadow Lea.
Nathan has been involved in Melbourne Fashion Week, re-opened Hamer Hall at Arts Centre Melbourne, performed for the Prime Minister at Australia House in London and took part in a launch for Mercedes Benz.
His theatre credits include Dance Captain/Swing/Cover for Priests in Jesus Christ Superstar 2024-25; Dance Captain/Swing/Cover for Amos in Chicago: The Musical 2023-24; Dance Captain/Swing/Cover Production Tenor and Dialect Coach in Singin’ In The Rain; Dance Captain/Featured Ensemble in Hugh Jackman: Broadway To Oz; Dance Captain/Swing/Cover Billy Crocker in Anything Goes; Liam Lamb and understudied and performed as Ken Railings, Nathan Starkey and Clarry Welch in Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom: The Musical; Carlos in Legally Blonde (Savoy, West End), Baby John in West Side Story ; Cover Mary Sunshine in Chicago: The Musical 2009 for which he received a Green Room Award; Young Tom in Dusty: The Original Pop Diva; Ensemble and Swing in We Will Rock You; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; Cover Jack Scott/Ryan Evans in High School Musical and Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision.
For The Production Company he appeared as Chris Bell in The Boy From Oz; Tulsa in Gypsy, receiving Best Supporting Actor for the Theatre People Pro Choice Awards; Promises Promises; 42nd Street; Sweet Charity and The Music Man.
Television credits include It Takes Two; Blue Heelers; So You Think You Can Dance; The Footy Show; Australia’s Most Wanted; Wicked Science; The Morning Show; Mornings with Kerri-Anne; Sunrise and the 2022 Corolla campaign for Toyota. Nathan was also Assistant Choreographer for Caroline O’Connor and Strictly Sydney Mardi Gras Finale Float 2014.
For the last two decades, Nathan has also been choreographing and mentoring artists in some of Australia’s leading performing arts institutions.
Emma Russell
Swing | Dance Captain
Hailing from Melbourne, Emma began her training at The Australian Ballet School where she was the recipient of the Lionel Phillips scholarship award. She furthered her studies at Ballet Theatre Australia, Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance, NIDA and The Film Space.
With a career spanning over a decade in the industry Emma was an original Australian cast member of Moulin Rouge the Musical (Global Creatures) where she toured with the production for two and a half years covering the role of Nini. Most recently Emma toured with the Australian production of CHICAGO in the role of Hunyak (Crossroads Live).
Other theatre credits include- Footloose in the role of Ethel (DV LIVE); Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (TML Enterprises); Curtains (The Production Company); The Wizard of Oz (GFO) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (GFO) where she regularly performed the role of Veruca Salt as understudy.
Emma also worked with Warner Bros on the film Elvis under the direction of Baz Luhrmann and Kate Wormald. Dance credits include One Man’s Dream at Tokyo Disneyland and tours with the Melbourne Ballet Company.
Nathan Stafford
Ensemble
Nathan began performing arts training in Adelaide at age 9 through TIDC and Adelaide Youth Theatre. Early theatre roles include Toby in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (TML Enterprises); Friedrich Von Trapp in The Sound of Music (GFO) and Young Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake (The Australian Ballet).
After graduating school as College Dux, he received the Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). VCA credits include Little Women; Heathers; Marry Me a Little and Detective Frank Cioffi in Curtains. Nathan appeared in Opera Australia’s Sunset Boulevard during his final year and, upon graduating, joined the cast of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast also understudying the roles of Lumiere, Cogsworth and Maurice.
Alexis van Maanen
Ensemble | Tsarina
Alexis van Maanen is a versatile music theatre performer and vocalist who trained at the Victorian College of the Arts (BFA Music Theatre).
Her stage credits include Mistress in Evita (GFO & Opera Australia); Ensemble, U/S Gabrielle & Fairy Godmother in Cinderella (Opera Australia & Crossroads Live) and Grace & Suzanne standby in The Hello Girls (Hayes Theatre).
Screen appearances include Upper Middle Bogan (ABC) and The Westbury Faery. Also, a singer/songwriter, she has performed at the NRL State of Origin and Australian Open Women’s Final. Alexis is proudly represented by Ian White Management.
Patrick Volpe
Ensemble
Originally from Perth, Patrick studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) where he completed his Bachelor in Music Theatre after finishing his Diploma of Musical Theatre the year prior.
In 2024/2025 he made his professional theatre debut in Sister Act the Musical as an ensemble/cover. He most recently partook in a new musical workshop alongside Australian writer Justin Fleming and composer Stewart D’Arrietta. Patrick wishes to thank his family for their continuous support and hopes you truly enjoy the show.
Annie Wilson
Ensemble
Annie has had an extensive career in theatre, television and film, throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Her Australian theatre debut was in the role of Janet in The Rocky Horror Show, which lead to other theatrical productions including Susan in The Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of Sondheim’s Company; Maria Elena Holly in The Buddy Holly Story; Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof starring Topol; Madame de Tourvel in Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Angie in Wrung Out with Glynn Nicholas as well as tapping her way around Australia in David Atkins’ Hot Shoe Shuffle. She has also starred in The Wizard of Oz, Pirates of Penzance, The Dusty Springfield Story, Dame Edna’s Australian Walkabout Tour, the world premiere of Dr Zhivago, along with performances at La Mama Theatre and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Annie returned to Fiddler on the Roof with Anthony Warlow, in the roles of Grandma Tzeitel and Shaindel, plus performed as Olga and Madame Dutois in the musical An American in Paris, co-produced with the Australian Ballet. Annie has appeared in many television dramas over the last 30 years, including The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Winners & Losers, Neighbours and the television movie Dangerous Remedy.
In feature film, Annie created the role of Lucy Cannon in The Sunset Six and performed in the Chinese co-production, A Journey, Through Time, With Anthony.
Deone Zanotto
Ensemble | Countess Gregory
Deone has been fortunate enough to perform on some of the world’s great stages, including London’s West End, and Broadway where she was cast in the revival production of A Chorus Line at the Schoenfeld Theatre, New York.
Some of her favourite theatre credits include Rhonda in TINA! The Tina Turner Musical; Tanya in Mamma Mia! – Australian Tour; Alison Bechdel in Fun Home (MTC); Velma Kelly in Chicago Australasian tour; Cassie in A Chorus Line Australian tour; Anita in West Side Story (The Production Company) and Madonna in We Will Rock You! on the West End.
Film and television appearances include Chopper (Nine Network); Bad Mothers (Nine Network); Preacher (Stan); Jack Irish (ABC); Love me Season 2 (Binge) and the feature film Promised.
Andrea Zappacosta
Ensemble | Paulina | Young Anastasia
Andrea graduated with a Diploma followed by a Bachelor of Musical Theatre from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. She made her professional musical theatre debut in Footloose as Wendy Jo and also covered the roles of Ariel and Rusty. Prior to this, Andrea toured with the musical comedy MARVELous, as one of the female leads.
Andrea’s previous musical theatre credits include Grease and Chess, both for QPAC, as well as Be More Chill for NAPA. Andrea has also been involved in corporate singing work and cabarets; her most recent being Vivid Sydney Supper Club’s Celebrating Eurovision cabaret, as an Italian soloist. Previously, she was a lead vocalist for the Twin Towns Christmas Carols in Coolangatta and Golden Pipes Entertainment and also performed across the Gold Coast with Danny Fai Fai and his band.
Andrea is thrilled to be joining the cast of Anastasia for this national tour.
Sydney LITTLE ANASTASIAS
Arianna Lorusso
Little Anastasia
Arianna Lorusso is honoured and delighted to be returning to the stage in Anastasia as Little Anastasia, having made her musical theatre debut as Molly in Annie (Crossroads Live).
Dancing since the age of three, Arianna trains in all styles at Elite Performance Studios. She hones her vocal skills with Pru Holloway and is proudly represented by T&E Management.
Outside of performing, she also enjoys physie and is part of the singing group NVA, where she loves sharing her passion for music with others.
Arianna is incredibly grateful to be performing alongside such a talented cast and creative team and is thrilled to help bring this magical story to life on stage.
Maya Porragas
Little Anastasia
10-year-old Maya Porragas is making her professional musical theatre debut in Anastasia. Although she was born in Sydney, she is proudly Mexican and speaks both English and Spanish.
Maya has been studying dance and singing since the age of two and currently trains with Elite Performance Studios. At Carnival Dance Challenge she was recently awarded National Champion and has also received multiple awards for her lyrical, contemporary and jazz solo performances. Her previous performance experience also includes on-stage singing and dance concerts and a commercial for Greater Bank.
Maya would like to thank her family and her teachers for their continued support. Proudly represented by T&E Management, she is thrilled to be performing as Young Anastasia.
Willa Valaris
Little Anastasia
Willa Valaris is a 10-year-old Sydney-based performer thrilled to be making her professional musical theatre debut in Anastasia. She trains at Elite Performance Studios in jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and musical theatre and studies Physical Culture at The Peninsula Physie Club. She has received vocal training from Prudence Holloway.
Willa has performed in live productions, solo and troupe dance competitions, and featured roles in national campaigns for the Sydney Opera House, Rebel Sport and KFC. A National Champion in Physical Culture and multiple overall dance title holder, she loves bringing stories to life on stage. Willa is grateful to her family, friends, teachers, dance community and T&E Management for their unwavering support.
Willow Wilson
Little Anastasia
Willow Wilson comes from a long line of performers, so it was no surprise that her passion was evident from a young age. She began her training at age 2 in singing and various styles of dance with musical theatre being her favourite.
In 2025 Willow made her professional theatre debut as Molly in Annie (Crossroads Live). She has also appeared in various commercials including Latrobe Financial, YOUI Insurance, The Kids Cancer Project and Australian Pork.
Willow loves shopping, movies and is the eldest of six kids. She is proudly represented by T&E Management and is very excited to be playing Young Anastasia in Sydney.