Playhouse On Park's THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK Earns Four Connecticut Critics Circle Award Nominations

The Playhouse On Park production of The Diary of Anne Frank, based on a new adaptation by Wendy Kesselman and directed by well-known New York actor, Ezra Barnes, is up for four major awards at this year's Connecticut Critics Circle Awards being presented on June 11th, at the Westport Country Playhouse.

Though most audiences are more than familiar with the story of Anne Frank and its message, this production illuminated just how relevant this story continues to be, especially and in light of the current political climate we find ourselves living through. The versatile Mr. Barnes' directorial approach shows off his penchant for tackling tough material and the subtlety with which he contemporizes the story and message. And for that, the production has been rewarded with four nominations for:

Outstanding Director, Play - Ezra Barnes

Outstanding Actress, Play - Isabelle Barbier

Outstanding Set Design - David Lewis

Outstanding Production, Playhouse on the Park

Mr. Barnes recently performed in Transparent Falsehood: An American Travesty, in which he took on the current occupant of the White House. The play received critical acknowledgement for its all too wickedly accurate send up of the Trump administration, and Mr. Barnes was singled out for his performance as the liar in chief.

Last year he took a turn at bringing to life one of the most popular modern American literary figures, Atticus Finch, in the Queens Theatre production of To Kill a Mockingbird, and again, was able to use a story most audiences are quite familiar with, and a character that has become a part of our lexicon - to create an important teaching moment about the present state of race relations in America.

A more than familiar face to film and television audiences, this native son from the proud Borough of Brooklyn has earned the distinction of being called, a true New York actor.

The 2018 Connecticut Critics Circle Awards will be held on Monday, June 11 at 7:30 pm at the Westport Country Playhouse, and will be hosted by Jenn Harris and Matthew Wilkas, stars of TheaterWorks' Christmas on the Rocks, the holiday comedy perennial.

Director Ezra Barnes and the cast of "The Diary of Anne Frank"

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