Anastasia Barzee
Anastasia Barzee (born April 24, 1966) is an American actress and singer. She is a graduate of Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Along with fellow Miami grads, Matt Pierson (Producer) and Grammy Winner Gil Goldstein (Arrangements), she recorded a critically acclaimed solo album, "The Dimming of the Day," of eclectic contemporary standards which was released on September 27, 2011 on Ghostlight Records. The album features songs by Kate Bush, Paul Simon, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rufus Wainwright, Jimmy Webb, Richard Thompson, who wrote the title track, and more and boasts the talents of Gil Goldstein , Larry Campbell and Steve Wilson playing on the tracks. Christopher Loudon of "Jazz Times" wrote, "Barzee's crystalline soprano strongly evokes Joan Baez". Critic Jack Goodstein wrote, "There is no doubt a great pleasure and joy in listening to a talented artist pouring her heart out in song. Anastasia Barzee is just such a talented artist". "Wildy's World" wrote, "a purely inspired vocal performance that will have you hitting replay again and again. Anastasia Barzee is one of a kind". Barzee has starred on Broadway in numerous musicals and plays. They include: The Tony Award-winning production of "Henry  IV" (a combination of "Part 1" and "Part 2") as Lady Mortimer opposite Kevin Kline; the Tony award-winning "Urinetown" as Hope; "Jekyll & Hyde" as Emma; and "Miss Saigon" as Ellen. She created and starred as Josephine in the West End production of "Napoleon" directed by Francesca Zambello. Back stateside, she created the role of Betty Haynes in the "White Christmas", directed by Walter Bobbie. Also with Bobbie directing, Anastasia played Lorna Moon in "Golden Boy" for New York's City Center Encores series. For this portrayal, Ben Brantley of The New York Times wrote, "Ms Barzee has a pure -lined, heartfelt way with a song", and the Daily News critic Howard Kissel wrote, "Barzee is devastating, especially the way she catches every nuance of the haunting title song". Among her many regional credits are The Kennedy Center's Sondheim Celebration production of "Merrily We Roll Along". She was asked to reprise a performance of the song for Lincoln Center's Sondheim Celebration Concert. On television, Barzee has guest starred on numerous shows including: "Golden Boy", "Blue Bloods", "", "White Collar", "Law & Order", "Murder She Wrote", "Get a Life", "Herman's Head" and, most recently, "666 Park Avenue" and "Made in  Jersey". She appeared in the 2010 Doug Liman feature "Fair Game" (opposite Sean Penn).