By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Archbold Community Theatre returned to the stage this past week with its summer musical, presenting Anastasia the Musical at Archbold High School. Performances were held July 10th through 12th at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on July 13th at 2:30 p.m.
Drawing from the talents of regional performers, crew members, and supporters, the production marked the second show of the group’s 2025 season.
It followed The Sweet Delilah Swim Club earlier this year and precedes the upcoming fall production of Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr.
Set against a backdrop that shifts from the final days of Imperial Russia to the early 20th-century streets of Paris, Anastasia tells the story of a young woman named Anya. Uncertain of her identity but driven by glimpses of a forgotten past, Anya finds herself on a journey that blends survival with self-discovery.
She crosses paths with a pair of unlikely companions, a con man and a former aristocrat, who offer to help her uncover the truth about her family. All the while, a relentless Soviet officer follows close behind, determined to ensure that any remnants of the old world stay buried.
From Tony winners Terrence McNally with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, the musical builds on the 1997 animated film while presenting a more grounded and dramatic take on the legend of the lost Romanov princess.
The stage adaptation has seen a successful Broadway run and continues to be produced by regional theatres across the country.
Though Anastasia is rich in style and setting, it leans heavily on character and atmosphere rather than large-scale spectacle. For Archbold Community Theatre, that balance played well to the strengths of its cast and crew.
The show’s tone, a mix of historical fiction and quiet resilience, offered a platform for thoughtful performances and careful pacing, and allowed the emotional arc of the story to take center stage.
The Archbold Community Theatre itself has a history nearly as storied as the play it brought to life. The group traces its roots back to the 1970s when local guidance counselor Charles Winzeler founded “Friends of the Arts,” an effort to cultivate local interest in the performing arts.
That effort eventually evolved into the formal establishment of Archbold Community Theatre. In January of 1999, the group purchased Giffey Hall in Ridgeville Corners, which continues to serve as its home base today.
Over the decades, the organization has grown well beyond the Archbold school district. While many of its productions are held locally, the group attracts actors, crew members, and audiences from throughout a seventy-mile radius. This continued regional involvement has helped sustain the theatre’s momentum and broaden its impact.
Now well into its summer run, Archbold Community Theatre’s 2025 season continues to highlight the group’s commitment to bringing meaningful productions to the stage.
With a focus on storytelling, character, and accessibility, this summer’s Anastasia production added another chapter to a tradition that has spanned generations.
(PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)