Cumberland County Playhouse Presents New Adaptation of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, Beg. Tonight

Beginning tonight, March 28, Cumberland County Playhouse will present a thrilling new adaptation of one of the most widely read books in the world, The Diary of Anne Frank. This unforgettable story dramatizes the true events of a teenaged Jewish girl, her family and others in danger - including a boy near her age - as they hide from the Nazi occupiers of wartime Amsterdam in the 1940's. Adapted by Wendy Kesselman from the original version by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, the Playhouse production returns to Anne's original diary, sharing her thoughts and dreams of growing up, and the adventure of life amid the dangers of war and the fear of capture.

Kesselman's 1997 adaptation - which incorporates previously unpublished diary entries and recently discovered survivor accounts - brings a new honesty and immediacy to this moving story as it brings audiences into the dangerous world of Anne Frank, a 13-year old girl who hid with a small group of family and friends in a tiny attic to avoid persecution by the invading Nazi forces. Through the inspiring diary she kept for two years, this remarkable young woman grew to become the embodiment of hope for the generations who succeeded her.

Directed by John Fionte (Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge, Chicago, Driving Miss Daisy), The Diary of Anne Frank stars Playhouse leading actors Jason Ross and Weslie Webster as Anne's parents and features two dynamic young actresses who will share the role of Anne: Ellie Burnett of Crossville and Ella Frost of Cookeville. Deanna Etchison is Anne's older sister Margot, with Bill Macchio and Patty Payne as the brittle and bickering Mr. and Mrs. Van Daan, and Ransom Velker as Peter, their shy, bookish son who finds himself drawn to Anne. Daniel Black plays the nervous, yet perpetually humorous Mr. Dussel. Portraying different people from the outside world who interact with the residents of the "Secret Annex" are Caitlin Schaub, Skip Ritter, Austin Price, Trey Norrod and Zach Steele.

The Diary of Anne Frank is rated G and is sponsored by Life Care Center of Crossville.

Currently at the Playhouse is the hilarious farce The Foreigner (rated G, co-sponsored by Beltone Hearing Aid Center and Crossville Tile Outlet), now held over through May 16. Tickets are available for these and all shows by calling 931-484-5000 or by visiting http://www.ccplayhouse.com. All CCP productions are made possible through sponsor support, with additional support provided by the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.