Review: 'The Diary of Anne Frank' at Playhouse on Park

West Hartford, CT - This marks the third review that I have written this week with a Jewish theme. ‘Rags’ at Goodspeed featured Jewish immigrants arriving in America and ‘Seder’ at Hartford Stage explored the family relationships of a Hungarian Jewish clan. Of the three, ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ is the most well-known and slightly heavier in tone than the others I saw.

‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ is a tough play to watch, as it deals with the stark realities of the holocaust. We know going in that the play is based on the diary that chronicles the two years this young Jewish girl spent hiding with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The tension is thick as the characters live in cramped quarters and in constant fear of being discovered.

The current production running at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford is the version by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett that was adapted by Wendy Kesselman. Ezra Barnes directs the cast of thoughtful actors with careful attention to detail. The director does not neglect the little rays of hopefulness that Anne described, all the while maintaining that underlying tension. Mr. Barnes founded Connecticut’s Shakespeare on the Sound and led the company for 13 years.

The scenic design by David Lewis benefitted from the low ceiling of this venue, although the two-leveled set was probably more spacious than the actual annex. Even without the Nazi soldiers entering the space, the ending was stark and emotionally effective as the victims of the holocaust left the stage.

Isabelle Barbier made her Playhouse on Park debut in the role of Anne Frank. With her most expressive eyes, she made Anne both girlish and gifted; she gave the role everything she had. Ruthy Froch, who had great grandparents and cousins who perished in the holocaust, made her debut at this venue as Anne’s older sister Margot.

Equity actor Frank Van Putten did beautiful work in the role of educated businessman Otto Frank; he was especially touching in his interactions with the young daughter who adored him. Joni Weisfeld was also memorable in the role of Otto’s beloved wife Edith.

The Van Daan family was led by Equity actor Alan Lewis Rickman. Mr. Rickman appeared with Marlo Thomas on Broadway in ‘Relatively Speaking.’ Lisa Bostnar is the Equity member that played the role of Mrs. Van Daan to perfection. Oh, that fur coat...The couple’s son Peter was brought to life by Alex Rafala in his Playhouse on Park debut.

Elizabeth Simmons was beautiful as the cheerful Dutch citizen Miep Gies and Michael Enright appeared as Mr. Kraler in his debut at this venue. Jonathan D. Mesisca played the visiting dentist Mr. Dussel, based on holocaust victim Fritz Pfeffer.

Jennifer Scaprtis-Tycer served the cast as dialogue coach. Costumes marked with the yellow star at first by Kate Bunce (‘Avenue Q’) were of the period and easily allowed the actors to change onstage, once actually during the intermission when they remained on the set. Props and set dressing (including the lobby with Darlene Zoller) by Eileen OConnor and Judi Manfre was especially effective and lighting by Christopher Bell set the mood well.

‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ runs through November 19. Playhouse on Park has partnered with nineteen area restaurants as dining partners. The AC Peterson Farms Restaurant next door to the theatre is included. Patrons may present their ticket stub either before or after that day’s performance to get the discount described in the program and on the paper ticket folder. There is on street parking available behind the venue.

Photos: Curt Henderson, Imagine It Framed Running from October 25-November 19 Directed by Ezra Barnes & starring: Isabelle Barbier as Anne Frank, Frank van Putten as Otto Frank, Lisa Bostnar as Mrs. Van Daan, Allen Lewis Rickman as Mr. Van Daan, Joni Weisfeld as Edith, Ruthy Froch as Margot, Alex Rafala as Peter Van Daan, Jonathan D. Mesisca as Mr. Düssel, Elizabeth Simmons as Miep Gies, and Michael Enright as Mr. Kraler.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and she posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417