Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre opened its production of The Diary of Anne Frank last Friday. The haunting 1955 play we have become familiar with – by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett – is presented in an adapted form. The newer 1997 version by Wendy Kesselman has a freshness in its vision which is welcomed as “a new adaptation for a new generation.”
Clair Wilcher directs. Her sensitive handling of the material provides action as measured as music, with proper rises and falls, and a heartbreaking climax.
Gemma Rollison takes the role of young Anne and offers a very polished portrayal of her character and her dilemma. Ms. Rollison shows Anne’s youthful presence – annoyingly bouncy and fun-loving at first as she alone ignores the hardships, thoughtfully recording her feelings in her journal, excitedly experiencing her burgeoning adulthood – truly a tragic figure whose hopes for her future are snuffed by her doom.
Anne (Gemma Rollison) is consoled by her father, Otto Frank (David Wood). (Photo provided Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre)
The entire cast expertly shows how eight very real people lived through two years in a hideout, longing for their former lives while enduring the hardships of confined living. Director Wilcher has orchestrated an evenness in her cast’s characterizations which strengthens the ensemble aspect of the script. As written, no one player is set in the spotlight – though, of course, Anne remains the central character. Highlights include Garrett Rowe’s fine work as young Peter Van Daan, Jay Hemphill and Carrie Reiberg – coupled as the often-disagreeable Mr. & Mrs. Van Daan, Brittany Magee as an overwrought Edith Frank, and David Wood as an iconic father figure – Otto Frank, whose powerful ending speech is truly devastating. Mookie Harris (Mr. Dussel), Rebecca Piñero (Margot Frank), Kevin Caraher (Mr. Kraler), and Kelsey VanVoorst (Miep Gies) turn in solid work to complete the cast.
The play is performed on Ryan Koharchik’s very expressive set design. It features hints of confinement with barb wired fences, tight spaces, and dark hues. Michael Lasley’s projections aid the storytelling with visions of Hitler’s power and the torment of the concentration camps. Adrienne Conces’ costume designs are timely.
Bottom line: This familiar story gets new impact in Wendy Kesselman’s adaptation and Civic Theatre’s production is fine in every aspect. All the problems, fears, and turmoil of these eight people are balanced somehow by the forward-looking positivity of one young girl. The tragedy feels real – the horror of those times must never be repeated.
The Diary of Anne Frank continues at The Tarkington theatre through Saturday, Feb. 25. Tickets are available by calling the box office at (317) 843-3800 or by going online to CivicTheatre.org.
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