Diary of Anne Frank

I look forward to seeing you all there...............

OTP opens "Anne Frank"

by Jill Beauchamp
Special to the Record-Eagle
Throughout the history of mankind, atrocities have been committed in the name of race, religion, land, oil and innumerable issues These inhumanities have been recorded and passed down in a variety of ways, and the 1942-44 diary entries of an adolescent Jewish girl are one of the most poignant testimonies known.
Old Town Playhouse's production of "The Diary of Anne Frank" opened Friday to a medium-size, but highly appreciative, audience. Director Michelle Dungjen has lovingly re-created the story of Anne, her family and another family who live together in an attic in Amsterdam during World War II. With the help of two of Mr. Frank's former employees, eight Jewish people are kept hidden from the Nazis as Anne go through the growth and concerns that accompany adolescence.
Danielle Naidow is a remarkable actress, well suited to the role of the remarkable Anne Frank. Though 15, Naidow looks younger and is highly convincing as the 13-year-old Anne we first meet. Naido easily moves through the various emotions, issues and changes that Anne shared in her diary, and she brings the character fully alive.
Anne's father, Otto Frank is equally important in this story. Anne has a very close and special relationship with her father, and he is the one who decided to have her diary published. Brian Dungjen is a strong and versitile actor who portrays the optimism and anguish of Mr. Frank. Dungjen's character opens and closes the play. Tey're two very important scenes, and he makes these moments memorable.
Mrs. Edith Frank, Anne's mother, is played by Lisa Robitsheck, who has some very fine scenes, especially in her interactions with Anne. At times, however, she portrays Edith as strident, when she should be tremulous, as in the scene when Mr. Van Daan is caught stealing bread from the others.
As Margot Frank, Anne's older sister, ESme' Bloomquist presents the serene and sweet young lady beautifully. As a contrast to Anne the agitator, Margot the peacemaker could easily become background in the story, but Bloomquist manages to create an unforgettable, though subtle, character.
Three other characters, the Van Daan family, are brought into the attic through Mr. Frank's generosity, and because he feels indebted to Mr. Van Daan. Mr. Hans Van Daan and Mrs. Petronella Van Daan are not easy people to live with in close quarters.
Don Kuehlhorn, as Hans Van Daan, is superb in portraying the selfishness and irritability of this character. Kuehlhorn is a master of facial reactions that make him a character the audience loves to hate. Bonnie Deigh, as Petronella Van Daan, is also fantastic at bringing out the spoiled and nasty aspects of the character. There was audible reaction from the audience to some of Deigh's snottier lines. There is a definite feeling that the Van Daans deserve one another.
Peter Van Daan, Petronella and Hans' son, is played by Justin Sarns. Sarns does good work as the shy and fairly nice young man, but as his character becomes close to Anne, Sarns doesn't seem to relax into Peter's changes.
The three remaining characters, Meip, Mr. Albert Dussell, andMr. Kraler, are all portrayed adequately, with Larry Hains as Mr. Kraler being the strongest actor among them.
The entire play takes place in the attic, with the majority of the attic shown on stage. The set was designed by Brian Dungjen, and it works very well, inducing a bit of claustrophobia with its cramped spaces and drab colors.
Kathy Verstraete, as costume designer, helped create authenticity with the 1940s clothing. Properties, by Dan and Barbara - Goodearl, Erin Larsori and Kathy Ivani-Mort, also added an air of credibility, with the attention paid to period details. , .
The standing ovation that Friday night's audience gave to the performers is evidence of the quality of the production. It is definitely worth viewing, and it is also worth noting the respect that the cast and crew has paid to Anne Frank's memory.
Performances continue Sept. 22, 23, 24, 29 and 30 and Oct. 1 at 8 p.m., with a 3 p.m. matinee Sunday, Sept. 25. Tickets can be obtained by calling 947-2210, and the box office is open from 4 to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Otherwise, visit the Web site, www.oldtownplayhouse.com
Jill Beauchamp is a theater and speech teacher at Suttons Bay High School. She holds an M.A. in theater arts from Michigan State University and has directed more than 30 plays and musicals.

Through A Young Girl's Eyes from Staff Reports
It's been 30 years since Old Town Playhouse in Traverse City presented "The Diary of Anne Frank." What better time to bring it back than in the year that marks the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and what would have been Anne Frank's 75th birthday?
That's what Director Michelle D. Dungjen thought when she helped select the show as the mainstage's opening performance for the season. It opens tonight and runs through Oct. 1.
The play is based on the well-known diary of a young German Jewish girl during World War II whose family had taken what they felt was safe refuge in Amsterdam, Netherlands, only to have it overrun by the Nazis and be forced to go into hiding. Through the eyes and words of a young teenage girl, the story of the family's persecution and exile is brought to life.
Anne was given the diary by her parents on her 13th birthday in 1942. She named it "Kitty," and it became an outlet for her to express her feelings and dreams, her thoughts about becoming a woman and the fear and trauma of living during World War II and being hunted as Jews.
In August 1944, the Nazis raided the hiding place where Anne, her parents and sister and several others had been living. Her diary, notebooks and other papers were left behind.
Her father survived Auschwitz and eventually returned to Amsterdam after the war ended. He learned that Anne, her mother and sister had not survived the camps, and he was given Anne's papers, including the diary. Her father decided to publish the diary in honor of his daughter's aspirations to be a writer. It has since been translated into more than 67 languages and it has sold more than 31 million copies.
At Old Town Playhouse, the play opens in 1945 with Anne's father reading her diary. It then flashes back to the previous years.
There's a small cast -- just 10 in all - with Old Town Playhouse newcomer Danielle Naidow taking the role of Anne. Naidow has performed in shows in the Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods areas, including portraying Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker" and Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz."
Assistant Director Jenn Miles described Naidow as "an amazing actress." "She definitely embodies Anne," Miles said. "We cry almost every day - at every show."
Brian Dungjen is Anne's father, Otto Frank. He's been involved with the Playhouse for more than 20 years, most recently as John Wilkes Booth in last year's production of "Assassins."
Playing Anne's sister Margot is Esme Bloomquist, with Lisa Robitsheck taking the role of their mother, Edith. Other cast members include Elizabeth Stewart as Miep, Bonnie Deigh as Petronella Van Daan, Don Kuehlhorn as Hans Van Daan, Justin Sarns as Peter Van Daan, Larry Haines as Mr. Kraler and Dan Goodearl as Albert Dussell.
Miles said that the play has been a lesson in history for all of the cast members. Some of the younger ones weren't as familiarly with the Holocaust as the others, she added, and it has particularly been an eye-opener for them. Learning more also helped bring life to their characters.
"They've done a really nice job of emoting and getting into the feelings of the characters," Miles said.
The audience will not see what happens to Anne and th others; but they'll know without seeing.
"We just want to be as respectful as we can," Miles said. "We want to be able to commemorate the Holocaust and liberation of Auschwitz."
Showtime tonight is at 8 p.m. Another show is set for Saturday. Other dates are Sept. 22 - 25 and Sept. 29 thru Oct. 1. The Sept. 25 performance is a matinee.
Tickets are $16, or $12 for students and senior citizens on Thursdays. For other information, call the box office at 947-2210.
The Playhouse is also hoping teachers of middle school students and higher will use the show as a springboard for studying the Holocaust or reading the book. Jeanette Mason, a ninth grader teacher at Traverse City East Junior High, and Annie Goodman, Theater and English instructor at Elk Rapids High School, are both OTP members who prepared and distributed resources and lesson plans to area teachers. A question and answer session will follow the Sept. 29 show.
For more information on school-related activities, call 947-2210.