
By Morgan Sweat
Guyer’s Theater Department recently concluded its second production of the year: Anastasia. Set in the 1920s, the musical focuses on a Russian princess’ adventure back to royalty after being involved in a terrible attack. In partnership with two con men, Anastasia travels from military-locked Russia to free and rich Paris. This story is filled with action, adventure, and plenty of romance.
The main character, Anya, played by junior Bailey Mercer, is faced with a complex storyline. Growing up as an extremely rich and powerful Russian princess during the 1920s was certainly not all sunshine and rainbows. At the beginning of the play Anya’s relationship with her grandmother, the Dowager Empress, is highlighted. Portrayed by Ella Eavenson, the Empress is the only relative of Anya to survive a brutal and bloody attack on the Romanov palace. The rest of the royal family devastatingly perished while Anya survived with a cruel case of amnesia. Anya is cast out into the streets, remembering zero percent of her heritage and past.
The two con men, Dmitry and Vlad, are simple street dwellers who cheat the system to make their living. Their ultimate dream? To escape the newly communist Russia and drown in wealth. Throughout the musical, they devise a plan to achieve their goals with the help of Anya by posing her as Anastasia, the long-lost Romanov princess. Dmitry and Vlad would take Anya to Paris and present her in front of the Empress in hopes of a reward and freedom.
While executing their plan, communist officer Gleb, portrayed by Zack Dooley, was on the trio’s tail. Despite the officer’s cruel demeanor, Gleb was in conflict with himself, falling madly in love with Anya, but still having to carry out his duties as an officer… terminating all of those who committed treason. Throughout the show, Gleb follows the group on their journey, while debating his morals and the young princess’ fate.
However, Gleb was not the sole lover boy of this story. Dmitry, played by Corbin Ross, is the mastermind behind the group’s plan and an absolute dreamer. His tendency to reach for the stars causes him to fall helplessly in love with Anya. While Vlad, portrayed by Lucas Vandiver, a slightly older and more experienced con man gets distracted by his long-lost lover in Paris, Lily.
As the musical continues, the trio runs into several issues, but holds out and presents Anya, in front of the Empress to discover her true heritage. Despite this success, the happiness is short-lived and the three are eventually faced with a gigantic ultimatum: live a life of luxury and wealth in solitude or live without the finer things in life but with their love? Dmitry and Anya and Vlad and Lily. Like any good story, the musical concludes with love persevering through all.
In addition to the wonderful storyline, Guyer’s theater program picked the best of the best actors and crew for this production. To say the least, the audience was never disappointed. The actors were committed and beyond talented. The crew was on top of all functions needed to put the production on. And the set, props, and costumes were unmatched. Although Guyer theater is not putting on another musical this year, we cannot wait to see what they have in store for next year. There is no doubt in our minds that it will continue to blow our expectations out of the water.