Want to go?
WHAT: “The Diary of Anne Frank”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday & Sunday, October 12, 13 & 20; 2 p.m. Sunday, October 21
WHERE: The National Theatre at the Ritz, 30 South Washington St., Tiffin
COST: Adults - $11.00, Students - $7.00
Most little girls wouldn’t want their diary published, but 13-year-old Anne Frank had always wanted to be a writer and found herself in a unique situation at a very troubled time.
Director Lois Eisenhard has never read “The Diary of Anne Frank” but has directed it twice now. When asked which version she would prefer she chose the traditional version over a more updated version from 2003. “I like the tradition and wanted to go with [the original],” she says.
Last time she directed this play it happened to coincide with the Berlin Wall coming down in 1989. This time it will be a part of a discovery series for over 600 school children who are currently reading the book and will be bussed in to see the show the afternoon before it opens.
“She was the first window into the Holocaust,” says Eisenhard. Despite the heartbreaking portion of history it depicts, the play doesn’t dwell on the tragic time. Eisenhard comments, “Anne is a pistol, always doing things to irritate the others. She’s got a big personality.” There is playfulness among the characters in the attic even under the dire circumstances.
Anne is played by a 12 year old student from St. Wendelin in Fostoria. Another three are high school students and the rest of the cast of 10 are played by adults. “The kids are doing very well and are very active in the production of the play,” says Eisenhard, “I love working with children. They’re little sponges, so eager to learn.”
Aside from the historic Tiffin Ritz Theatre itself, the two-story set is a sight to behold. The characters will actually climb out of the basement of the Tiffin Ritz into the set as though ascending into an attic. According to the director blocking was a challenge with the main eight actors always being on stage in a cramped attic.
Eisenhard remains upbeat, “I am confident the cast will perform a good show. It’s very entertaining, a lot of fun and very inspiring show.”
