PERRY — In a time when current politics feel painfully divisive and overwhelming, I often find myself turning to history to escape the current reality while getting perspective. I take a break and fall into good literature and entertainment that intentionally blurs the line between historical fact and historical fiction. The story of Anastasia Romanov and the fall of the Russian Imperial family during the Bolshevik Revolution is a perfect fit. The Heritage Theatre’s current production of Anastasia: The Musical captures the essence of a historical fairy tale. With a handful of facts, it blends romance, adventure, and a sense of nostalgia, making it a good show for all patrons to escape the current political climate outside the theatre and come together to enjoy a good night of theatre.
The production, directed by Leslie Richards, is a good rendition of the 2017 Broadway musical, itself based on the 1997 animated film and the true historical mystery of Anastasia Romanov. With the book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Anastasia tells the story of Anya, a young woman who embarks on a journey to uncover her lost identity. She searches for answers to her past, believing she might be the long-lost Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov. Set against the backdrop of post-revolutionary Russia and Paris in the 1920s, Anya teams up with two con men, Dmitry and Vlad, who seek to pass her off as the missing duchess to collect a reward, all while being pursued by Gleb, a Soviet officer with his own conflicted motives…