Westport Community Theatre Announces The Diary of Anne Frank

Westport Community Theatre is producing a newer adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank originally written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett and newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman. The compelling and thought-provoking production opens Thanksgiving weekend, providing timely entertainment for families during the holiday season. Performances take place from November 24th through December 10th on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, with a Thursday performance on November 30th at 8:00 p.m. Anthony Gray is Stage Manager for the production, which is directed by Richard Mancini.

The show has been called a “must-see” play for the whole family, relaying the poignant and gripping story of the Frank family and incorporating newly discovered writings from the diary of Anne Frank. Its relevant and timeless lessons in humanity will undoubtedly have audiences thinking and talking.

Anne Frank emerges from history a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl who confronts her rapidly changing life with astonishing honesty, wit, and determination. An impassioned drama about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic, The Diary of Anne Frank captures their fear, their hope, their laughter, and their grief. Each day 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!" This is a new adaptation for a new generation.

"Undeniably moving. It shatters the heart. The evening never lets us forget the inhuman darkness waiting to claim its incandescently human heroine." —The New York Times. "An extraordinary theatrical adventure! Go and remember." —The New York Post. "Wendy Kesselman's finely textured new Diary tells a deeper story. A sensitive, stirring and thoroughly engaging new adaptation." —New York Newsday. "One of the year's ten best." —Time Magazine.

WCT’s large cast comes from many towns in Fairfield County, including Stamford, Norwalk, Wilton, Westport, Fairfield, Stratford, Milford and Trumbull, and includes many veteran actors of community theatre. Stratford High School student Katelyn Ferrari plays Anne Frank; Stamford husband and wife Jeff Pliskin and Deborah Burke portray her parents. Other Stamford actors include Brian Buckley, Jerry Kranz and Frederick Tisch. Westport’s Marc Hartog and Norwalk’s Tom Petrone are also among the stellar cast, along with Avery Bebon (Fairfield), Colin DeFelice (Wilton), Jessica Grabarz (Milford), and Randye Kaye (Trumbull).

The Diary of Anne Frank is produced by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service. Tickets are $25 ($23 for seniors and $15 for students) and can be purchased at westportcommunitytheatre.com or by calling (203) 226-1983. The Westport Community Theatre is located at the Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue.