People's Light Stages THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK

In a cramped, secret Amsterdam annex, alongside seven other refugees, a Jewish girl hides from the Nazis. In the midst of this nightmare scenario, Anne Frank channels her lively intelligence into a diary that resonates decades after her death. Wendy Kesselman's adaptation captures the immediacy of Anne's unique voice, and the courage and terror of a life evading Hitler's genocide of the Jews. Our production, featuring a multi-racial cast directed by David Bradley, honors this "undeniably moving" (The New York Times) story as it speaks to today's increasingly nationalistic world. The Diary of Anne Frank plays from February 21 - March 31, 2018 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage in Malvern.

Director Bradley says, "The Diary of Anne Frank feels especially important and powerful right now, at a time when our community, nation, and world wrestle with anti-Semitism, racism, and oppression. This story of eight Jews hiding from the Nazis shows the terrible consequences when one group of people sets out to oppress and annihilate another, only because of who they are. It centers on what makes us human-family, love, passion, endurance, heartbreak, imagination, and creativity-and what's lost when someone squelches that humanity.

"Theatre is rooted in the belief that empathy-the ability to understand another's story-is essential to living," continues Bradley, whose preparation for the production included trips to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam (where Anne and the other seven hid), and to Israel. "Our production, with a multi-racial cast, embraces that value. This group of artists reflects the diversity of our community today. We're stepping into this story, set in a different time, place and culture, to build bridges towards greater understanding.

"We offer this production as a call for empathy, and a call to remember, listen, understand, and act."

Producing Director Zak Berkman says, "At its essence, The Diary of Anne Frank is a celebration of the creative mind. A young Jewish refugee, forced into hiding, makes a universe with words-constellations of memories, questions, wishes, and emotions-that inspires millions. Her creation reminds us that we can shape the world inside us, and that we must shape the world around us.

"We hope our production embodies Anne's bold, innovative spirit, and wakes up the world-maker in us all."

The cast features a mix of newcomers, returning guests, and company members. Actors making their People's Light debut include Brittany Anikka Liu as Anne, Caroline Strang as her sister Margot, Mark David Kaplan as their father Otto Frank, Deborah Green as their mother Edith Frank, Tyler S. Elliott as Peter van Daan, Danielle Leneé as Miep Gies, and John Zak as Mr. Kraler. First-timers Jeff Gorcyca and Jacob Schrimpf play the Second and Third Man, and Associate Artistic Director Pete Pryor (Morning's at Seven, The Harassment of Iris Malloy) plays the First Man. Company members Melanye Finister (The Matchmaker, All My Sons) and Christopher Patrick Mullen (Aladdin: A Musical Panto, Moon Over Buffalo) play Mrs. van Daan and Alfred Dussel, and frequent guest Brian Anthony Wilson (All My Sons, Fences) plays Mr. van Daan.

Resident artist David Bradley (Row After Row, This Wonderful Life) directs. Returning guest Luke Cantarella (Morning's At Seven, Row After Row) designs the set, and Devon Painter (Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer) creates costumes. Fabian Obispo (Barcelona, Stargirl) comes back to People's Light to design sound. Long-time company member Kate McSorley Fossner stage manages, and newcomer Alix Rosenfeld serves as Production Dramaturg.

TICKET INFORMATION

The Diary of Anne Frank previews begin on Wednesday, February 21 at 7:30pm and run through Friday, February 23. The play opens on Saturday, February 24 at 8pm and runs through Saturday, March 31.

Standard single tickets start at $39. For tickets, call the Box Office at 610.644.3500. Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information or to purchase group tickets, call 610.647.1900 x111 or email benedict@peopleslight.org.

$29 Community Night tickets are available for the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday preview performances on February 21, 22, and 23 at 7:30pm.

Pick Subscriptions and People's Passes are flexible and affordable ways to see multiple plays. Choose 3, 4, or 5 productions, and enjoy savings as well as many of our full subscriber benefits. Or, purchase a set of 6 People's Passes, redeemable for any production of the season, in any combination. Remaining 2017-18 productions include The Diary of Anne Frank (February 21 - March 31, 2018), I Will Not Go Gently (March 21 - April 15, 2018), Romeo and Juliet: A Requiem (April 25 - May 27, 2018), Skeleton Crew (June 13 - July 8, 2018), and Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie (August 1 - 26, 2018). Pick Subscriptions start at $102 and a set of People's Passes starts at $222. Visit www.peopleslight.org or call 610-644-3500 to order.

Actors, prices, productions, performance dates and times are subject to change. Additional service charges will apply. Contact the Box Office for more details.

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