A Rumor in St. Petersburg

[Towns People]

The Neva Flows, a new wind blows

And soon it will be spring

[Gleb]

We hear you, comrades! The revolution hears you! Together, we will forge a new Russia that will be the envy of all the world! The Tsar's St. Petersburg is now the people's Leningrad!

[Dmitry]

They can call it Leningrad, but it will always be Petersburg. New name, same empty stomachs

They tell us times are better

Well, I say they're not

Can't cook an empty promise

In an empty pot

A brighter day is dawning! It's almost at hand!

The skies are gray, the walls have ears

And he who argues disappears!

[Dmitry & Towns People]

Hail our brave new land

[Towns People]

St. Petersburg is booming

A city on the rise

[Woman]

It's really very friendly

[Woman 2]

If you don't mind spies!

[Man]

We stand behind our leaders

[Man 2]

And stand in line for bread

[Towns People]

We're good and loyal comrades, and our favorite color's red!

[Dmitry]

Now everyone is equal

Professors push the brooms

[Dmitry & Ensemble]

Two-dozen total strangers live in two small rooms

You hold a revolution, and here's the price you pay

Thank goodness for the gossip

[Men]

Спасибо за слухи! (Spasibo za slukhi!)

[Towns People]

Thank goodness for the gossip

That gets us through the day

Hey!

Have you heard?

There's a rumor in St. Petersburg

Have you heard

What they're saying on the street?

[Man]

Although the Tsar did not survive

One daughter may be still alive

[Towns People]

The Princess Anastasia

[Man]

But please do not repeat!

[Towns People]

It's a rumor, a legend, a mystery

Something whispered in an alleyway

Or through a crack

It's a rumor that's part of our history

[Woman]

They say her royal grandmama will pay a royal sum

[Towns People]

To someone who can bring the Princess back

[Vlad]

Dmitry! They've closed another border. We should've gotten out of Russia while we still could!

St. Petersburg was lovely when royalty was in

I called myself a count as though I'd always been

I hobnobbed with the royals, but then a change of luck

The Tsar was dead, the royals fled

And, comrade, now we're stuck!

[Dmitry]

Vlad! I've been thinking about the Princess Anastasia

[Vlad]

Oh, not you too, Dmitry!

[Dmitry]

It's the rumor, the legend, the mystery

It's the Princess Anastasia who will help us fly

You and I, friend, will go down in history

We'll find a girl to play the part and teach her what to say

Dress her up and take her to Paris

[Vlad]

Imagine the reward her dear old grandmama would pay

[Dmitry & Vlad]

Who else could pull it off but you and me?

[Anya]

No!

[Gleb]

It was a truck backfiring, comrade.

That's all it was.

Those days are over, neighbor against neighbor.

There's nothing to be afraid of anymore.

You're shaking.

There's a tea shop just steps from here, let me-

[Anya]

Thank you

[Gleb]

What's your hurry?

[Anya]

I can't lose this job. They're not easy to come by. But thank you

[Gleb]

I'm here every day!

[MAN]

A ruble for this painting

It's Romanov, I swear!

[MAN 2]

Count Yusupov's pajamas, comrade

Buy the pair!

[MAN 3]

I found this in a palace

Initialed with an A

It could be Anastasia's!

Now what will someone pay?

[Dmitry]

We need something of hers to show the old lady. How much is that music box?

[Salesman]

Ah, the music box! It's genuine Romanov, I could never part with it!

[Dmitry]

Two cans of beans, comrade?

[Salesman]

Done

[Dmitry]

Do you believe in fairytales, Vlad?

[Vlad]

Once upon a time, I did

[Dmitry]

We're going to create a fairytale the whole world will believe!

Now it's risky, but not more than usual

We'll need papers, we'll need tickets, we'll need nerves of steel

[Vlad]

Yes, it's risky, a lot more than usual

[Dmitry]

We'll try to cross the border with our princess and our plot

[Vlad]

Hopefully disaster won't ensue

[Dmitry]

With luck, it'll all go smoothly

[Vlad]

And with luck, we won't be shot

[Dmitry & Vlad]

Who else could pull it off but me and you?

[Dmitry]

We'll be rich!

[Vlad]

We'll be rich!

[Dmitry]

We'll be out!

[Vlad]

We'll be out!

[Dmitry & Vlad]

And St. Petersburg will have some more to talk about!

[Towns People]

I heard it from a person who

Assured me it was absolutely true

Shh!

Have you heard?

There's a rumor in St. Petersburg

Have your heard?

Comrade, what do you suppose?

[Vlad]

A fascinating mystery

[Dmitry]

The biggest con in history!

[Dmitry, Vlad & Towns People]

The princess Anastasia

Alive or dead

Who knows?

Shh!