Anastasia
Basil
"Anastasia Basil is hilariously deadpan." - Backstage
"Portrayed with deadpan panache by Anastasia Basil." - Los Angeles Times
"Anastasia Basil is a seething delight." -Variety
"Acted delightfully by a first-rate Chicago import named Anastasia Basil."
- Los Angeles Times
"Standout Anastasia Basil offers a rousing performance as the straight-laced,
sexually repressed keeper of the house and ultimate schemer. Her multifaceted talents,
including her flawless and expert delivery, know no bounds." - Backstage
"Anastasia Basil, a visceral foil, is especially striking." - LA Weekly
"Especially funny work from Anastasia Basil." - Los Angeles Times
"A riveting performance by the amazing Anastasia Basil as Hamlet."
- The Chicago Reader
"Anastasia Basil is particularly stirring as Hamlet." - Jack Helbig, New City Magazine
"The strongest performance rests with Anastasia Basil."
- Lucia Mauro, Chicago Sun-Times
"...the powerhouse Anastasia Basil." - Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times
"Basil's every entrance lifts the play out of its doldrums."
- Jack Helbig, The Daily Herlad
"Anastasia Basil turns in an excellent performance, perfectly capturing the play's stoical resolve." - Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
"Anastasia Basil's performance as a class-conscious prostitute brings the play vividly to life." -Justin Hayford, Chicago Reader
"Anastasia Basil turns in a ferociously touching performance."
- Lucia Mauro, New City
"Anastasia Basil is quite gripping as the leader of the refugees."
- Jeff Rossen, Gay Chicago Magazine
"Anastasia Basil delivers a complex, vulnerable performance." -Adam Langer, Chicago Reader
"Anastasia Basil's stunning performance as the villain Iago makes me regret having missed her interpretation of Hamlet. " -Chicago Skyline
"Basil's Iago is a fascinating blend of deceit and charm. She is the glue that binds this 'Othello' together. - Gay Chicago Magazine
Anastasia began her stage career in Chicago working at theatres such as Steppenwolf and Chicago's all-female Shakespeare company where she landed the lead role of Hamlet. Her performance garnered critical praise.
After moving to Los Angeles, she continued her stage work and was spotted by Playtone's Director of Development who recruited her to play five different characters in the first table read of Nia Vardalos's My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which included Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, John Stamos, Andrea Martin and Michael Constantine. With encouragement from Rita Wilson and Nia Vardalos, she later tested for the television pilot My Big Fat Greek Life. Though the original movie cast ultimately reprised their roles, CBS President Les Moonves called her "An authentically funny woman."
Anastasia's comedic performance in Jillian Armenante's critically acclaimed play In Flagrante Gothicto earned her multiple nominations including an Ovation Award nomination for featured actress, an LA Weekly Award, Drama Critics Circle and Garland Award nominations. Variety called her performance "A seething delight." Her theatrical performances have led to multiple Guest Star and film roles. Most notably, she spent three weeks working with Steven Spielberg on The Terminal, improvising opposite Tom Hanks. Spielberg called her improvising talents a wonderful surprise.
In addition to studying acting at Columbia College in Chicago, Anastasia graduated magna cum laude from UCLA with a degree in Analytic Philosophy.