Theater Review: 'The Diary of Anne Frank' at Woodland High School

By Nancy Sasso Janis

Woodland Regional High School Theater of Regional School District #16 has prepared a heart wrenching production of the timely “The Diary of Anne Frank.”

The play is written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman.

In this powerful new adaptation by Kesselman, 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.

This is an impassioned drama about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic. It captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence—their fear, their hope, their laughter, their grief.

Each day of these two dark years, Anne's 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!"

Director Tom Simonetti, with Assistant Director Jillian Jackman, has made so many smart choices to ensure that the audience feels as if they are part of the action. Seating has been moved up onto the stage, on folding chairs that surround the tight set. Patrons are afforded an up close and personal view of the actors and the recreation of the cramped annex and it works most effectively to add to the almost claustrophobic feel of the ninety minute performance presented without intermission.

“In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” - Anne Frank

Hannah Mudry brings the title character to glorious life, bouncing about the stage with the optimistic spirit of a young Jewish girl caught in a precarious time of her life. The youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank, Anne is a lively, curious girl of thirteen at the beginning of the play. As her diary reveals, she is very introspective and creative and has a vivid imagination.

Connor Doughney does really well in the role of Anne’s beloved father, the polite and practical Otto Frank. Hannah Semrow is equally effective as Anne’s reserved and nervous mother Edith.

Illiana Rosenblum gives a beautifully quiet performance as Anne’s older sister Margot.

Community theater performer Zoe Kindt is beautiful in the role of Miep Gies, a generous secretary in Mr. Frank’s office, the strong young woman who essentially keeps alive the families hiding in the annex.

Evan Moore is especially strong in the role of young Peter van Daan, a shy, quiet teenaged boy who becomes a friend to Anne. Elijah Nastu plays the dentist Mr. Dussel who joins the group in hiding after two months.

Abigale Diamante plays the role of the often haughty Petronella van Daan and Dylan Tyrrell plays her husband, Putti Van Daan, an irritable former business partner of Mr. Frank.

Tyler Polaski plays sympathizer Mr. Kraler, a businessman who works with Miep to help protect the people in hiding.

Jeffrey Guluzy plays First Man, Korbyn Benham is the Second Man and Reese Fernandes is the Third man and understudy for the Male Roles. Standby for Anne Frank is Michaela Darrah.

Under Simonetti’s direction, the students perform a very powerful version of this well-known story that still needs to be told. Juliana Ferandez serves as stage manager. Expect appropriate costumes, some impressive lighting, effective sound clips and an important projection following the tear jerking final scene.

Remaining performances are Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday, 10/28, 2:00pm
Saturday, 10/28, 7:00pm
Sunday, 10/29, 2:00pm

** TICKETS ARE LIMITED ** $15 in ADVANCE $20 at the DOORLimited tickets! $15 (plus fee) online or $20 at the door. https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/76463?fbclid=IwAR2EwfzGz_cDw-6O7TR3QUhYMXq7yef2qBIoNtuS25HiF7yinVr_K_v94OQ

Woodland Regional 16 High School is located at 135 Back Rimmon Road in Beacon Falls. Fair warning: my GPS always leads me to the athletic fields.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.