Enjoying an enviable location on the Delaware River in New Hope, Pennsylvania, Bucks County Playhouse, which opened in 1939, is known as “America’s Most Famous Summer Theater” and has played host to a large number of well-known theater stars. I recently took in the theater’s current production of Anastasia The Musical.

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving and just two days after opening night, my friend and I made a day of it, enjoying a pre-show brunch at Jose Garces’ Stella restaurant, just next door to the theater and sharing the same valeted parking lot. Brunch was a perfect complement to the show.

I immediately found myself interested in the storyline of Anastasia. Starting at the beginning of the Russian Empire and traveling to 1920s Paris, the musical follows the potential missing lone survivor of the ousted and murdered Romanov family, the imperial royal family of Russia from 1613–1917. The bold and beautiful songs helped tell the story, and the sets used modern video technology to create various settings. The show’s cast was overflowing with talent. The production did an excellent job ensuring each character had their moment, or moments, to really showcase their skills.

The theater is intimate, with just one level of seating; however, there doesn’t appear to be a bad seat in the house. The whole experience was easy and pleasant, from start to finish, including the valet, the theater’s box office and staff, and the show itself. It was a perfect, quintessential day in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Anastasia runs through Jan. 5, 2025, so there is still time to take in a performance. In 2025 the theater will stage productions of Hard Road to Heaven, The Apple Boys, Leader of the Pack, She Loves Me and Elf The Musical.

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As a huge fan of musical theater, it’s a true treat to have such an iconic theater offering Broadway-caliber acting just 20 minutes from home.

— Kimberly Inlander, editor in chief