Maplewood Richmond Heights High School students performed The Diary of Anne Frank Oct. 17 at the school.
A reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said the performance “accurately depicts the high-stakes life that Anne’s group was living in the hidden annex. From the moment of arrival to the minute of capture, “The Diary of Anne Frank” brings to light much of the darkness even the most innocent can face in turbulent times.”
The students also performed parts of the play at The Book House, in Maplewood — see more photos of the performance at The Book House at 40 South News Facebook.
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch review:
Upon entering the theatre, a sobering reminder was fastened upon each audience member’s sleeve with a grey cloth band with yellow Star of David–the distinctive mark of a Jew in Nazi Germany. When everyone had taken a seat, circled around the set, Maplewood Richmond Heights High School’s rendition of “The Diary of Anne Frank” began.
This famous novel turned play is centered around a young Jewish girl named Anne Frank, her family, and some family friends who went into hiding as the Nazi takeover of Europe began. Adapted by Wendy Kesselman, the production accurately depicts the high-stakes life that Anne’s group was living in the hidden annex. From the moment of arrival to the minute of capture, “The Diary of Anne Frank” brings to light much of the darkness even the most innocent can face in turbulent times.
The initial focal point was the amount of effort every member of the show, whether cast or crew, put forth to make it as authentic as possible. Many of the actors portrayed their characters in ways that were believable and moving and showed a great deal of emotion and respect to the subject matter. From the period costumes to the spotlighting, the production was a good example of balance between cast and crew.
The lead actor, Angelo DiLorenzo (Otto Frank), had great chemistry with his other cast members. He depicted his character in a very sincere way, and it was apparent that he was very emotionally invested in his role. The delivery of his lines, the way he handled himself, and his interactions with different characters showed the fatherliness of his character and the amount of time he put forth to develop it.
Read the full St. Louis Post-Dispatch review
Way-To-Go MRH Theatre. The students/actors really brought this play home. Thank you Ms. Potthoff for your dedication to the students. If you like good theatre, it doesn’t get much better. The theater department in our school continues to grow and develop. It was a moving reminder of the sacrifice made during the second World War. Sacrifices we should never forget.