Theater’s newest and upcoming production is The Diary of Anne Frank that follows the tragic story of Anne Frank, her family, and another family going into hiding during World War two due to being Jewish. Show dates are from October 24th to October 27th, beginning at 7 p.m. all days except the 27th which starts at 2 p.m.
The play is based on the real diary that Anne Frank kept while in hiding. The diary entries recount the daily lives of the two families living together, the Frank family and the Van Daans. Anne’s family consists of her mom, Edith Frank, her sister, Margot, and her dad, Otto Frank. While the Van Daans include Mrs. Van Daan, Mr. Van Daan, their son, Peter Van Daan, and their cat. The play follows from when the two families first move in together into the small attic and readjust to their changing world where they have to remain quiet most of the day, only talk later into the evening, and can’t go out. The families are kept in hiding by Mr. Kraler and Miep Gies who get groceries and other things like library books for them. Another man later joins them in hiding, Mr. Dussel, who is a jewish dentist. As their days continue, Anne describes her relationships with the others, like the complicated bond between her mother and her, and tension between the Van Daans.
Conflicts later arise with nightmares, money issues, tension from being stuck, and wondering if the war will ever end. During this though, Anne and the Van Daans son, Peter, begin a friendship where they share their worries and meet in the highest room in the attic. With Anne developing a little crush, they share a kiss, and good news arrives that the British have begun invading German run cities. Before they reach Amsterdam, the family is found in hiding by the Nazis and are taken away to concentration camps. With everyone but Anne’s dad dying, he revisits their old hiding spot and shares an emotional retelling about how they all passed, he finds Anne’s diary and decides to publish it, following her dreams to become an author.
Although The Diary of Anne Frank play is over and you may have missed it, there is always the upcoming spring musical, Sweeney Todd, which takes place in London and is about a serial killer barber and much more. We hope you enjoyed Diary of Anne Frank and hope to see you at the next musical!