SALEM, New York, October 9, 2021 – This Friday October 8 through Sunday, October 10, Fort Salem Theater presents The Diary of Anne Frank, running for three performances only on the theater’s mainstage. Tickets are now on sale at www.FortSalem.com.
In this transcendently powerful new adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank by Wendy Kesselman, Anne Frank emerges from history a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl, who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of her time 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 the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence—their fear, their hope, their laughter, their grief. Each day of these two dark years, 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.
Taking on the title character is 15-year-old Greenwich High School student Dorothy Slim Van Pelt (Anne Frank). She is joined by Rhylie Lynch (Margot Frank), a 15-year-old Schuylerville and Salem Central School senior Quinn Donaldson plays the role of Peter Van Daan.
Rounding out the cast is Jared West (Otto Frank), Courtnie Harrington (Edith Frank), Jocelyn Khoury (Mrs. Van Daan), Matt DeMarco (Mr. Van Daan), Kyra Fitzgerald (Miep Gies), Warren Schultz (Mr. Dussell), Peter Carrollan (Mr. Kraler), and Anna Threet (Officer), Sam Luke (Collaborator), and Luke Miner (Collaborator).
Courtnie Harrington (Edith Frank), Kyra Fitzgerald (Miep Gies). Photo: Kyle West. 
Dorothy Slim Van Pelt (Anne Frank), Warren Schultz (Mr. Dussell). Photo:Kyle West. 
Dorothy Slim Van Pelt (Anne Frank). Photo: Kyle West 
Dorothy Slim Van Pelt (Anne) and Courtnie Harrington (Edith Frank). Photo: Kyle West. 
Jared West (Otto Frank). Photo: Kyle West. 
Jared West (Otto Frank). Photo: Kyle West. 
Jocelyn Khoury (Mrs. Van Daan). Photo: Kyle West. 
Jocelyn Khoury (Mrs. Van Daan), Matt DeMarco (Mr. Van Daan). Photo: Kyle West. 
Quinn Donaldson (Peter Van Daan), Warren Schultz (Mr. Dussell),Jocelyn Khoury (Mrs. Van Daan), Matt DeMarco (Mr. Van Daan). Photo: Kyle West. 
Quinn Donaldson (Peter), Dorothy Slim Van Pelt (Anne), Courtnie Harrington (Edith Frank), Warren. Schultz (Mr. Dussell). Photo: Kyle West. 
Rhylie Lynch (Margot Frank), Jared West (Otto Frank), Courtnie Harrington (Edith Frank), Dorothy Slim Van Pelt (Anne Frank). Photo: Kyle West. 
The Diary of Anne Frank is directed by David Braucher, whose local directing credits include Curtain Call Theater, Confetti Stage, Hubbard Hall, Greenwich Youth Center, Soul Rebel Performance Troupe (now Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York), and the premiere of Our Time by Ken Levine (head writer “MASH”, “Cheers”) at Saratoga Arts Center. In addition, he has done training for Skidmore College’s “Awkward Kids Talking” improv troupe, and has performed at Fort Salem Theater, where he appeared as Dracula in Jay Kerr’s Dracula’s Grandmother and as Linus in You’re an Old Man, Charlie Brown. He is joined by scenic designers Charles Krawczyk and Darrell Holovach, costume designer Sherry Nadzan Recinella, with Anna Threet as stage manager.
The Diary of Anne Frank performs Friday, October 8 (7:30PM), Saturday, October 9 (7:30PM) and Sunday, October 10 (2:00PM). All performances are on the Fort Salem Theater mainstage, located at 11 E Broadway, Salem NY 12090. Tickets range from $15-$30 and can be purchased at www.FortSalem.com.