|
The Diary of Anne Frank
By Frances Goodrich & Albert Hacket
Adapted by Wendy Kesselman
Directed by Tina Landau
At Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N. Halsted Ave.
Chicago, IL
Call 312-335-1650, tickets $20 - $65
Tuesdays thru Sundays at 7:30 pm
Saturdays & Sundays matinees 3 pm
Wednesdays matinees May 23, 30 & June 6 at 2 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 15 minute with intermission
Through June 10, 2007
Stunning adaptation of Anne Frank’s story at Steppenwolf Theatre
The Diary of Anne Frank, one of the largest selling books of all-time with several movies and many stage adaptations, still haunts me. I have visited her hiding place in Amsterdam and read her diary several times including the restored version and I keep hearing her voice. She was a pure innocent, a gifted writer and the ultimate symbol of the purity. Anne Frank defined the best of the human spirit---she’ll never be forgotten.
Steppenwolf Theatre’s production is one of their gems with terrific ensemble work from the eight hidden Jews and their Dutch friend depicting the horrors of war. This unsentimental work is a testimony to the human spirit as we see how Anne’s zest for life and her innate goodness exemplify the countless youngsters sniffed out in the Holocaust
The personalities of each character are accurately portrayed. From Otto Frank’s (Yasen Peyankov) calming decency to Edith Frank’s (Gail Shapiro) stoic coldness to Mr. Van Daan’s (Frances Guinan) selfishness to Mrs. Van Daan’s (Kathy Scambiaterra) favoritism toward her husband to the stiff dentist, Mr. Dussel (Alan Wilder) the fussy nerd to Margot Frank’s (Carolyn Faye Kramer) docility to Peter Van Daan’s (Mark Buenning) shy and sensual teenage boy, we grow to like and appreciate these folks as we become sad when their fate inevitably occurs. Mariann Mayberry as Miep Gies and Robert Breuler as Mr. Kraler aid the eight as brave Dutch folks.
 |
 |
Above all, the work rests on Claire Elizabeth Saxe’s glowing and delightfully playful optimism as Anne Frank. Saxe is a high school senior with a naturalness and warmth that easily gives her Anne empathetic status. The ensemble work was detailed, believable and subtle as the haunting terror of being cooped up for more than two years in an attic was deftly depicted. The restored passages from Anne’s diary give a fresh and truthful perspective on the teen’s thoughts. The Diary of Anne Frank is a marvelous work worth another look. Steppenwolf’s cast is marvelous.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2007
|
