Fauquier Community Theatre’s ‘Anastasia’ explores Romanov mystery with a strong ensemble

The musical adaptation of the Anastasia legend is now playing at Fauquier Community Theatre through October 4. Directed by Camden Gillespie, the production features a cast that handles both dramatic and comedic moments while performing the score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. The story centers on a young woman who may be the surviving Grand Duchess Anastasia.

The production draws on the real historical execution of the Romanov family in 1918, a tragedy that fueled decades of speculation about whether any child survived. FCT's staging leans into that ambiguity, letting the audience weigh Anya's fragmented memories against the political motivations of those around her. The show also contrasts imperial Russia's opulence with 1920s Paris, a setting that allows the ensemble to shift between sweeping ballads and lively cabaret-style numbers.

Director Camden Gillespie has assembled a cast that balances the show's dual tones, with Jennifer Ayers anchoring the emotional core and Ryan Lucius Schaffer and Rachel Donders providing comic relief. The production also features supporting performances from Charity Schaffer, Gwynne Sia, Kayce Schaffer, and Lennox Chen, who appear in the photo captions. The score, by the team behind Ragtime and Once on This Island, remains a draw for regional theaters seeking material with both depth and crowd appeal.