The Diary of Anne Frank

Yesterday evening, my mother and I sat in a darkened theater and witnessed once again the powerful story of Anne Frank and her family, the Van Damn family, Mr. Kraler, Mr. Dussel and Miep Giles. No matter how many times I see this wonderfully moving play or read Anne's beautiful diary, I can't help but hope that maybe this time it will turn out different.

But, history invades and we are reminded once again of the atrocities of war and even more appalling than that, bigotry and hatred!

Some of my most fondest memories of the Utah Shakespearean Festival have been around a James Edmondson production and this is no exception. I was in tears the whole drive back to my hotel last night. The entire cast was remarkable. I felt with them, hoped with them, and was terrified with them as they were celebrating with hope that they would soon be rescued when the news of D-Day arrived. But alas, as the Nazi's invaded their sanctuary and took them away, I was heartbroken, devastated. Two years of struggle for nothing!

At least, in the end, Anne's soaring words from her diary give us hope and the realization that there is still good in the world and we should seek it out at all costs! Thank you James Edmondson, Mariko Nakasone (Anne), Tim Casto (Otto Frank), Corliss Preston (Edith Frank), Jennifer Whipple (Margot Frank), De Anne Dublin (Miep Giles), Rhett Guter (Peter van Daan), Samuel D. Dinkowitz (Mr. Kraler), Liisa Ivary (Mrs. van Daan), Mark Corkins (Mr. van Daan), Daniel R. Hill (Mr. Dussel), Ian Durrant, Matthew Clegg & Dylan Honor (Nazi's and Dutch Conspirators) all for a job well done! Thank you for all your hard work and for bringing this beautiful story to the festival audiences! I will never forget this evening spent in the beautiful Randall L. Jones Memorial Theater on October 15th, 2010.

One more week left, if you see anything, see this show! Your life will truly be changed forever!