Rosebud Theatre’s Diary of Anne Frank brings history to life

Times Contributor       

 

For opening night of The Diary of Anne Frank, at Rosebud Theatre, March 28, I had my Kleenex ready. I also braced myself to view on-stage violence. The diary was written, after all, by a Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, and we all know about her tragic end. But surprisingly this play, directed by Paul Muir, isn’t a tear-jerker, and although violence and terror hover over the entire story, they never enter the stage.

Anne’s family, an elderly bachelor, and another family of three have hidden in an attic because they’re Jews – and the Nazis are rounding up Jews. Most of the tension here – and there’s plenty of it – is the day-to-day conflict arising from eight people, previously strangers, living together in very close quarters. But, like in most families, there’s lots of hope and laughter here, too.

The play takes place entirely in the attic, and Morris Ertman’s set, with sloping rafters, tiny alcoves, and a wall and stairwell jutting upward, made me feel I truly was in an attic. I loved that a page from Anne’s diary is painted, by Cheryl Daugherty, down the wall and across the floor. 

A two-hour play that’s set in such limited space might get tiresome, I suppose, but that’s far from the case here. There’s too much tension occurring onstage, and we’re constantly experiencing the terrifying-but-hopeful outside world through the eyes, ears and imaginations of the characters.

Cassia Schramm plays Anne Frank, who always looks to the future, declaring that, after the war, she’ll be a dancer, or maybe a writer. Surrounded by sombre adults, she’s the cheerful spot in the attic, perhaps even a little too cheerful.

David Snider is a stand-out as Anne’s Father, Otto Frank, drawing empathy from the first moment to the last. He maintains a consistent accent and stays so firmly in character, he stayed there even during our standing ovation. Snider’s wife, Jeany Van Meltebeke, plays Otto’s wife, Edith. Her role is more subtle – the dutiful housewife, the anxious mother whom Anne doesn’t understand – but Van Meltebeke also convincingly becomes her role.

Chrissie Muldoon plays Anne’s proper older sister Margot. Troy O’Donnell, Amy Burk and Byron Allen are the self-absorbed Mr. and Mrs. Van Daan, and their moody son Peter. Mike Thiessen is Mr. Dussel, the bachelor who declares he always gets along with children – but torments Anne every moment of every day.

Anne and her attic family have two lifelines to the outside world: Miep Gies, played capably by Alysa Glenn, and Mr. Kraler, played by Aaron Krogman, who produces the other remarkably-believable accent in this show.

The Diary of Anne Frank isn’t what I expected, but it brought Anne’s story so clearly to life, I’ve had her and her family on my mind ever since. I’ve already begun to re-read her diary and to further research her life. I also find myself thinking differently about people affected by the political conflicts of our own time.

I urge you to see The Diary of Anne Frank before it closes May 17. You may not shed tears, but you will be challenged by this play. Call 1-800-267-7553 or go to www.rosebudtheatre.com for tickets.