by Tony Annicone
The latest show at Arctic Playhouse is the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play, “The Diary of Anne Frank.” The audience is transported back to the 1940’s where they learn about the diaries of 13 year old Anne Frank. This play tells the story of a Jewish family forced into hiding in an effort to avoid Nazi persecution during World War II where they were isolated from the outside world. Anne, her family and four others lived in constant fear of being discovered. Anne makes the transition from a smart, mischievous youngster to a passionate young woman. She wrote of her daily life, her budding teenage conflicts with her mother, her strong, loving bond with her father and of her first crush and love for Peter. She also expressed her hopes and dreams for the future and her continuing belief that people are really good at heart. They remained hidden for two years, until their betrayal, which resulted in their deportation to Nazi concentration camps. After the war, the pages of Anne’s diary were discovered on the floor of the annex where the family had been hiding. This young girl’s diary, written 74 years ago, still touches the heart and soul of every audience member by making them empathize with her tragic situation. Also hopefully with the current situation this world is in maybe we can learn from the past not to make the same mistakes in these trying times. Director Rachel Hanauer takes us back to the cramped quarters where Anne spent the last years of her life and with her ten member cast, she creates a stunning dramatic production, making it a must see show of this spring season.
Hanauer creates moments that shows the isolation of family members and how even best friends can’t maintain relationships under trying circumstances within this claustrophobic atmosphere. The attic annex set is by Jim Belanger and Lloyd Felix while the authentic 1940’s costumes are by Nancy Spirito. The fantastic young actress who plays Anne Frank is 15 year old Isabelle Assaf. She captures the exuberance of this young girl who grows into a woman. She keeps your attention from start to finish with her dynamic line delivery and acting prowess. Her relationship with the other cast members shine and her interactions with them are standout moments in this show. Isabelle makes Anne a real person. Christopher Ferreira plays her patient and loving father who was the only member of these eight people who survived the concentration camps. He does phenomenal work during the show but it is the closing scene where he describes what happened to the others that will leave you in tears at his emotionally charged line delivery long after curtain call. I first reviewed him in a comic role in “December Rabbi” back in 2009. Her long suffering mother is played with great depth by Carolyn Coughlin who is a topnotch dramatic and comic actress. She delivers the goods in this dramatic role in all her scenes making you feel her deep angst at the events around her. I last reviewed her in the comic “Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike” at ACT. Her scene where she catches Mr. Van Daan stealing bread is an explosive and electrifying moment due to her strong acting prowess. The bright older sister, Margo, is excellently played by 18 year old Aden Duffy. She shines as the good and patient older sister who loved her family very much. Her standout scene is in the bread-stealing scene, too. Both Carolyn and Aden have strong scenes with Isabelle in this show.
Bob Mignarri and Katherine Kimmel play Mr. and Mrs. Van Daan, decent folk in ordinary life who come close to cracking in these circumstances when he sells her mink coat and he is caught stealing bread. She has comic moments especially in the argument with her husband and the dentist scenes. Jonah Coppolelli is topnotch as the petulant sixteen year old Peter who at first dislikes Anne’s bratty behavior but eventually grows to love her as he really gets to know her. He handles the transition from awkwardness into a more mature boy beautifully. His last scene with Olivia is a stand out moment in the show. Madison Winehoffer does a great job as Miep who hides the Franks and the others in the annex. Her warmth and friendliness to these people shines through in her performance. Mario Sasso does a terrific job as the sympathetic Mr. Kraler who helps Miep hide these folks and also deals with a blackmailer who threatens the family’s freedom while Jeff Blanchette rounds out the cast as the fuss-budget dentist, Mr. Dussell. His reactions at rooming with Anne as well as to the Van Daan’s unpleasant behavior gives some comic relief in the midst of these trying times. So for a splendid portrayal of this timeless script, be sure to catch “The Diary of Anne Frank” at The Arctic Playhouse. It will definitely move you to tears.
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (4 to 20 April)
The Arctic Playhouse, 117 Washington Street, West Warwick, RI
1(401)573-3443 or www.thearcticplayhouse.com
