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<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'><b><font
size=5 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;text-transform:
uppercase;font-weight:bold'>Aurora Community Theatre<br>
</span></font></b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<b><font size=5><span style='font-size:
16.0pt;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:bold'><br>
</span></font></b>January 2, 2014<b><font size=5><span style='font-size:16.0pt;
text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:right'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Contact: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:right'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Christine
Patronik-Holder<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:right'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>330-562-1818<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><u><font size=4
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-variant:small-caps'><o:p><span
style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'><b><i><font
size=5 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'>THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'><font
size=5 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Opens January 31<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'><font
size=5 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>AURORA----<b><i><span style='font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'> </span></i></b></span></font><b><i><span style='font-weight:
bold;font-style:italic'>The Diary of Anne Frank</span></i></b>, the
award-winning, inspiring play about a young girl and her family who hide from
the Nazis during World War II, opens at 8 pm Jan. 31 for an eight-show run
Fridays and Saturdays through Feb. 22 at Aurora Community Theatre, 115 E.
Pioneer Trail. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>ACT will present Wendy Kesselman’s adaptation of
the play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett (winner of the 1956 Pulitzer
Prize, Tony Award, and Critics Circle Award). The play is based on <i><span
style='font-style:italic'>Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl</span></i>,
edited by Otto Frank. Kesselman’s<span class=normal> powerful, new
update interweaves recently discovered writings from Anne’s original
diary with survivor accounts to create a dramatic story in which Anne emerges
from history as an intensely gifted young girl, who confronts her rapidly
changing life and the increasing horror of her time with astonishing honesty,
wit, and determination.<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>In July 1942, Anne and seven others took surreptitious
refuge in the secret annex above an <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Amsterdam</st1:City></st1:place>
business in order to avoid arrest and deportation by the occupying Nazis.
Throughout her 25-month captivity Anne kept a record of their daily life in the
diary she received for her 13th birthday, later adding notebooks and loose-leaf
paper. In August 1944, following an informant’s tip, Nazis stormed the
annex and arrested the hidden families, all of whom, except Anne’s
father, were later killed in concentration camps.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Roseann
Canfora </span></font></b>directs this compelling play. <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>Kiara Durbin</span></b> takes on the challenging role
of Anne Frank with <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Jack Warren</span></b>
playing her father, Otto, <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Jennifer Warren</span></b>
her mother Edith, and <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Megan Lebowitz</span></b>
her sister Margot. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Joining the Frank family in hiding were the Van Daan
family and others. <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Susan Henthorn</span></b>
will play Mrs. Van Daan, <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Bill Whitaker,</span></b>
Mr. Van Daan, <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Mitch Pollock,</span></b> Peter
Van Daan, and Kevin Horak <s>later,</s> Mr. Dussel.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Two risk-taking friends, Miep Gies and Mr. Kraler, are
played by <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Jennifer Smith</span></b> and<b><span
style='font-weight:bold'> Gary Bakst,</span></b> who surreptitiously provide
food and supplies during two years of confinement in the attic. Suspense
is heightened by possible discovery by <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Dan
Hild</span></b>, and others.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Jennifer
Teller</span></font></b>, serves as producer, <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Gay
Repella</span></b> as bookholder and <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Maggie
Hamilton</span></b> on sound. <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Don Arbuckle</span></b>
designed the set built by <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Paul Chechak</span></b>
and decorated by <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Jean Arbuckle</span></b>.
Other key crew areas include <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Tanya Shively</span></b>
and <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Rose Dougherty</span></b> on props, <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>Marianne Gingras</span></b>, costumes and <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>Meghan Connolly</span></b> provides her expertise on
hair and makeup, with the assistance of fellow stylists KG Galindo and Chelsea
Cross of Lucia’s Salon in Hudson. <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Craig
Megyes</span></b> and <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sonny Canfora </span></b>provide
photography and <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Dorothy Edwards</span></b>
serves as house manager with <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Vicki Rizzo
Prato</span></b> heading hospitality. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>ACT is seeking assistance from anyone interested in
minor roles and a few remaining crew positions, including Stage Manager and
Lighting Designer. Those interested in being part of this production,
call Producer Jennifer Teller at 330 562 6792</span></font><font size=2
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>The 1947 publication of Anne’s diary, with a
foreword by Eleanor Roosevelt, was a publishing phenomenon, deeply penetrating
American consciousness with its vivid, revealing, and deeply personal account
of the Holocaust. The book has since sold 30 million copies and been translated
into 67 languages. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Very few plays have moved the Broadway critics to
write such glowing notices, receiving the unanimous acclaim of all the top <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">New York</st1:State></st1:place> reviewers. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:67.5pt;
margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:103.5pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>"A lovely tender
drama…Strange how the shining spirit of a young girl now dead can filter
down through the years and inspire a group of theatrical professionals in a
foreign land." <i><span style='font-style:italic'>New York Times</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:67.5pt;
margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:103.5pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>"There is so much
beauty, warm humor, gentle pity…in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK that it is
difficult to imagine how this play could be contained in one set on one
stage…this is a fine drama." <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on"><i><span
style='font-style:italic'>New York</span></i></st1:State></st1:place><i><span
style='font-style:italic'> Daily News</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:67.5pt;
margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:103.5pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:67.5pt;
margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:103.5pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><font size=4
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-style:italic'>“It’s
difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us,
only to be crushed by grim reality. It’s a wonder I haven’t
abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to
them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly
good at heart.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:67.5pt;
margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:103.5pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><font size=4
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-style:italic'>
</span></font></i><b><font size=2><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:
bold'>Anne Frank, from her diary on July <span class=small-caps>15</span>, <span
class=small-caps>1944</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:67.5pt;
margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:103.5pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><font size=2
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>
(less than one month before the Nazis arrest her
and her family,
sending them all to the concentration camps.</span></font></b><font
size=2><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><i><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'>The Diary of Anne Frank</span></font></i></b> is presented
through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. Adaptation
originally produced on Broadway by David Stone, Amy Nederlander-Case, Jon B.
Platt, Jujamcyn Theatre, and Hal Luftig in association with Harriet Newman Leve
and James D. Stern.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Tickets at $16 for adults, $11 for age 18 and under,
are available online, including seat selection, at <a
href="http://www.auroracommmunitytheatre.com/"><font color=black><span
style='color:windowtext'>auroracommmunitytheatre.com</span></font></a>, or call
the box office at 330-562-1818. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Group discounts are available by calling the box
office. Opening night tickets include a complimentary after-show gala and the
opportunity to meet cast and crew. <br>
<br>
Aurora Community Theatre is located at 115 E. Pioneer Trail, near the
intersection of SR 43 and 306, at the gazebo, in the center of <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Aurora</st1:City></st1:place>. ACT extends appreciation
to The Denise G. & Norman E. Wells, Jr. Family Foundation for their
generous underwriting of the Wells Main Stage. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>###<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:.5in'><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>ACT, celebrating 54 successful seasons in 2013-14, annually
presents three regular season shows, a benefit play, a summer stock production
plus two children’s summer workshops, reaching an annual audience of
nearly 7,000. ACT showcases the region’s top actors, musicians, costume
and set designers, construction, lighting, sound and backstage crews -- all of
whom generously donate their time and talent. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>----------------<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Christine Patronik-Holder<br>
Business and Marketing Manager<br>
Aurora Community Theatre<br>
<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">PO Box</st1:Street> 9</st1:address>
(mailing address)<br>
115 E Pioneer Trail (theatre address)<br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Aurora</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Ohio</st1:State>
<st1:PostalCode w:st="on">44202</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><br>
330-562-1818<br>
<a
href="mailto:christine@auroracommunitytheatre.comwww.auroracommunitytheatre.com">christine@auroracommunitytheatre.com<br>
www.auroracommunitytheatre.com</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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