Photo Flash: Westport Country Playhouse Presents THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK

This new adaptation by Wendy Kesselman, from the original stage play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, tells the story of two years in one girl's remarkable life. During the Second World War, Anne Frank and her family go into hiding to escape the Nazis. Her account of the time spent in a small Amsterdam attic remains among the greatest personal stories from the darkest moment in history, and one of the most compelling coming of age tales ever told.

"Ever since I was a teenager, I have found the story of this teenager one of the most profound and powerful imaginable," said Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director. "The history of the diary, how it came to be written, and how it was re-written by its brilliant, budding young author before her tragic, meaningless death is one that never ceases to move me and all who encounter its simple, direct humanity.

"The incalculable tragedy of the loss of millions of people through the Holocaust is, with this play, encapsulated and made real for us by its focus on a single family, their acquaintances and the talented, rambunctious teenager who kept a diary of their days in ‘the secret annex' hiding from the Nazis," Lamos noted.

Lamos added that "Wendy Kesselman's critically-praised revision of the original play brings new dramatic power to this quiet, timeless story, and Gerald Freedman has assembled a superlative cast of important actors to bring this story to life in Westport this fall."

The cast includes Ari Brand (Broadway's "The Neil Simon Plays") as Peter Van Daan; Lauren Culpepper ("The Dinner Party" at Lincoln Center Institute) as Margot Frank; Molly Ephraim (Broadway's "Into the Woods," Drama League Award nomination) as Anne Frank; Mitch Greenberg (Broadway's "Laughter on the 23rd Floor" and "Threepenny Opera") as Otto Frank; FeliciTy Jones (Circle in the Square's "Metamorphoses") as Edith Frank; Lou Liberatore (Westport Country Playhouse's "That Championship Season," Broadway's "Burn This" and "As Is") as Mr. Dussel; Mimi Lieber (Broadway's "Brooklyn Boy" and "I'm Not Rappaport") as Mrs. Van Daan; Allen McCullough (national tour of "Twelve Angry Men") as Mr. Kraler; Stephen Vinovich (Broadway's "Lost in Yonkers," "The Robber Bridegroom" and "The Grand Tour") as Mr. Van Daan; and Monica West (New York Stage & Film's "A Short History of Women," directed by Judith Ivey) as Meip.

Single tickets range from $35 to $55; opening night tickets, including post-performance reception, are $65. Subscriptions to all five plays are available for preferred seating and pricing. Students and educators are eligible for 50% discounts. Groups of 10 or more save up to 30%. For group sales information call (203) 227-5137, x120.

Photo by T. Charles Erickson

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