'The Diary of Anne Frank' to Open Fall Drama Season

For its first production of the fall season, the Midwestern State University Department of Theatre will stage an updated version of classic play, The Diary of Anne Frank. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 10-12, with a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, in the Fain Fine Arts Theatre.

This adaption of the play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett was written by Wendy Kesselman with added material from Anne's diary that was held by her father, Otto, until after his death in 1980. This is the first time this version has been produced in this area.

From 1942-1944, 13-year-old Anne Frank lived with her sister, parents, and others in a tiny attic hiding space. She wrote about her day-to-day life in a journal and reminds us that even in the darkest of times, "people are really good at heart."

The play is directed by MSU adjunct faculty member Paul Jefferson. Jefferson is the drama teacher at Rider High School. MSU senior Nicole Neely will play Anne. The cast also includes Maxwell Norris as Anne's father, Rian Dillard as her mother, and Morgan Burkey as her sister.

The Van Daans, the second family in hiding, will be played by Anthony Garza, Mr. Van Daan; Rachel Bullard, Mrs. Van Daan; and Zac Jackson as their son. Houston Pokorny will portray Mr. Dussell, who joined the group four months into captivity.

After Friday night's performance, the audience is invited to stay for a talkback session with cast and crew where they can ask questions about any aspect of the production.

The play is rated PG. For more information or for season ticket or group ticket information, call the box office at (940) 397-4393, the publicity office at (940) 397-4399, or the Theatre Department secretary at (940) 397-4670.