Anne Frank cast members, at a recent rehearsal, include Parker Bunch, at front left, and Allison Craft, at front right; middle row from left, Mike Lilly, Angela Bride, Paige Mengel and Laura Dupler, and back row, from left, Larry Self, Larry Bunton and Tom Sizemore.
Theatre-at-Tusculum will bring to life the heartrending experiences of eight people in hiding from Nazi forces in occupied Holland during World War II in its production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” this month.
The thought-provoking drama will be performed at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, April 20-21 and April 27-28. Matinee performances will be at 2 p.m. on Sundays, April 22 and 29. All performances will be in the Behan Arena Theatre in the lower level (side entrance) of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum College campus.
The decision to do a drama began with the desire expressed by some of the actors to do a more serious play than the comedies that Theatre-at-Tusculum has done during the past several years, according to the play’s director Frank Mengel, Tusculum College Arts Outreach technical director.
The reason for the choice of the drama comes from the important message it conveys, Mengel said. “A lot of people get stuck on the historical accuracy of the play rather than focusing on the message,” he said. “For example, the movie ‘Titanic’ is not about the sinking of a ship but of a young woman becoming an independent person. ‘Anne Frank’ is about a family going into hiding from the Nazis and ultimately being caught. The message is the need for them to go into hiding.
“I strongly believe that if we don’t learn from history, we will repeat history,” he continued.
Performing the play in the Behan helps bring the audience more deeply into the action and emotions of the story because of the physical closeness in the theater-in-the-round style of the theater, Mengel said.
Mr. Dussel (Mike Lilly) tries to use his skill to help Mrs. Van Daan (Laura Dupler) as her son, Peter Van Daan (Parker Bunch) looks on in this scene rehearsal.
Bringing the story to life is a group of well respected local actors and newcomers. Anne Frank will be played by Allison Craft, her father, Otto by Larry Bunton; her mother Edith by Paige Mengel and her sister Margot by Elizabeth Sparks. The role of Mr. Van Daan is performed by Tom Sizemore; Mrs. Van Daan, Laura Dupler, and Peter Van Daan, Parker Bunch. Mr. Dussel is portrayed by Mike Lilly; Mr. Kraler by Larry Self, and Meip Gies by Angela Bride. Jeff Reese portrays a Nazi officer, Josh Hickson, victim/thief and Nazi guards Bobby Conwell, Katherine Dooly, David Dupler and Abram Edward.
In addition to directing, Mengel designed the set, lights and sound. Costumes have been designed and coordinated by Barbara Holt, Arts Outreach costume director. Lights and sound systems are being operated by Paige Hudgon and Emma Murray. Assisting with set construction were Jabari Bunch, Patrick Orr, Paige Hudson, Bobby Conwell, Emma Murray, Bridget Conte, Josh Hickson, Laura Dupler and Megan Gilland.
Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors age 60 and older and $5 for children 12 years of age and under. Ticket reservations can be made by contacting Arts Outreach at 423.798.1620 or jhollowell@tusculum.edu.
Otto Frank (Larry Bunton), right, presents his daughter, Anne (Allison Craft), the diary during Theatre-at-Tuculum’s rehearsals.