I might be one of the few people who was never required to read "Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl" in middle school or in high school. Thankfully, having visited The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. and learning about Anne Frank in history textbooks, I have learned about Anne Frank's experiences in a secret annex located behind a movable bookshelf in Amsterdam during World War II.
Those familiar and unfamiliar with "Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl" will equally enjoy and appreciate Towson University's production of "The Diary of Anne Frank," a play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, adapted by Wendy Kesselman.
Directed by John Manlove and assisted by Susan Rotkovitz, "The Diary of Anne Frank" incorporates the dark, haunting moments of the Holocaust and pairs them with the memoirs of a young girl blossoming into womanhood.
In the secret annex of her father's office building, Anne Frank, played beautifully by junior Ashley Ingram, details the hiding of her family and friends trying to escape extermination between June 12, 1942 and August 1, 1944.
Set designer, Daniel Ettinger, vividly recreates that tiny space within the building, and costume designer, William E. Crowther, wonderfully mimics the clothing worn by those of the time period.
The play begins with the Franks and Van Daan family moving into a small attic space. The Frank and Van Daan families, and later a dentist named Mr. Dussel, struggle to continue with "every day" life, although continuously clashing over the cramped space. Young Anne exhibits all the budding qualities of a girl in her early teens - extroverted and sometimes annoying. She shares her opinions on life, love, and the massacre brewing outside of her hidden room by the Nazi rule.
Sadly, after an unknown tip, all of the inhabitants were caught and sent to Auschwitz concentration camp. All but Otto Frank died under the unbearable circumstances.
Anne's diary was discovered by one of the employees under Otto Frank and given to him after the war, when it was later published.
Towson's production of Anne's story easily resonates with audiences of all backgrounds. In many ways, it mirrors events happening in today's world and the consistent struggle against ethnic and religious persecution.
The play's actors execute riveting performances, and the crew successfully runs a flawless show.
The uniqueness of the intermission must also be noted as the play does not stop. Those who avoid the concession stand and remain in their seats will see how the play continues with the characters continuing in their everyday activities.
"The Diary of Anne Frank" is not to be missed.
At the matinee performances on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m., guest speaker, Nitza Nachmias will speak about "Holocaust & Humanity." Audiences can also listen to music professor Jonathan Leshnoff's choral performance of "Etz Chaim" by the University Choral Society under the direction of Karen Kennedy.
It's not too late to get your tickets at the Center for the Arts box office. The show will run Wednesday, Oct. 17 through Saturday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. It will also run Sunday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. in the Center for the Arts, Main Stage Theatre.
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