What audiences have been saying about “The Diary of Anne Frank” at Weathervane Playhouse:  

“Great and moving performance “

“Powerful, emotional play with an excellent cast. Don't miss it!”

“Fantastic performance! Well done, everyone”

“Excellent!”

“Outstanding performances by everyone!”

AKRON - Weathervane Playhouse presents a powerful new adaptation of the classic drama The Diary of Anne Frank April through the 20^th.  Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m., and Thursday, April 11^th and 18^th  at 7:30 p.m.  There is one daytime performance left on April 16^th at 10 a.m. Tickets are $13 to $16 (see www.weathervaneplayhouse.com for a full listing of ticket prices) and can be purchased by calling 330-836-2626 or going to www.weathervaneplayhouse.com

In this transcendently powerful and startlingly relevant new adaptation by Wendy Kesselman (from the original stage play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett), newly discovered writings from the diary of Anne Frank — as well as survivor accounts — are interwoven to create a contemporary and impassioned story. This is a new adaptation for a new generation in which Anne Frank emerges from history as a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl, who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of her time with astonishing honesty, wit, and determination.

An emotionally heartfelt drama about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic during World War II, The Diary of Anne Frank captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence — their fear, their hope, their laughter, their grief.

Each day of these two dark years spent in hiding, Anne's remarkably hopeful voice shines through: "When I write I shake off all my cares. But I want to achieve more than that. I want to be useful and bring enjoyment to all people, even those I've never met. I want to go on living even after my death!”

This production is directed by award-winning, former Karamu Artistic Director Terrence Spivey, who directed last season’s critically-acclaimed Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill at Weathervane. Spivey says of the production, “Despite the constant discrimination and torment Anne Frank, her family and the Jewish community faced, their hope and resiliency touched me as an African American. The parallels between both communities speak volumes.”

The Diary of Anne Frank is presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

CAST

ALAINA TENNANT

Anne Frank

MAKENNA BIRD

Margot Frank

ROLAND MOORE

Otto Frank

CHARLI HABINGREITHER

Edith Frank

GARY DAVIS

Mr. Van Daan

SAMANTHA RICHARDSON

Mrs. Van Daan

JACKSON BIRD

Peter Van Daan

KEITH RASEY

Mr. Dussel

RACHAEL BROWN

Miep Gies

MIKE GROOM

Mr. Kraler

THE CREATIVE TEAM

TERRENCE SPIVEY

Director

TIFFANY BIRD

Stage Manager

LOGAN CHAPMAN
Assistant Stage Manager

SCOTT K. DAVIS

LAUREN SPROWLS

Properties Co-Designers

KATIE ROWLAND

Sound Designer

KYLE SHEARER

Lighting Designer

RICHARD MORRIS, JR.

Technical Director/Scenic Designer

KATHY KOHL

Assistant Technical Director

KELLIE ROSSINI

Master Electrician

JASEN J. SMITH

Costume Designer

CHUCK HATCHER

House Sound Technician