8
Thursday, April 23, 1987 / University Daily Kansan
Anne Frank's nightmare relived in drama
BY JENNIFER FORKER
Staff writer
Staff writer
Anne Frank and the seven other inhabitants of the small attic bicker, laugh, eat and sleep. They tread softly on the floor, fearful of being heard. They can't leave but must spend days and nights trapped in the claustrophobic room.
Frank lived in the attic for two years during World War II, trying to evade the Nazis and imminent deportation to a German concentration camp. Anne was 13 and living in the attic when she started keeping a diary of her experiences.
Frank's attempt to hide from the Nazis was unsuccessful. She later died in a concentration camp after the Nazis discovered her family's hiding place. After the war, her father, the sole survivor of the family, published portions of Frank's diary.
The hardship of Frank's confined life will be illustrated in the Lawrence Community Theatre, 1501 New Hampshire St., production of "The Diary of Anne Frank." The play is adapted from Frank's diary, and the first performance is 8 p.m. today.
"It's the story of their struggle, their courage and their faith," said Art Sloan, the play's director and an English and humanities teacher at Lawrence High School.
Sloan said that many plays had a large cast but that few plays featured the same actors on stage for the duration of a play. In this play, eight of 10 actors remain on stage throughout the play. The actors' uninterrupted presence on stage helps demonstrate the confinement that the attic's inhabitants endured, he said.
He said it was difficult to create non-distracting and realistic stage activity for the actors to create aenable rendition of life in the attic.
The play incorporates 218 props which help make the stage look realistic, Sloan said.
Larry Sherr, professor of business,
plays Frank's father, Otto Frank.
"I've never seen so many props on a stage," Sherr said. "We need to convince people that we've lived there for two years."
Sloan also said it was difficult to perform the play on a small stage where curtains were not used. The
audience will watch activity that curtains would have hidden.
"We've had to adapt. Here the actors have to do everything," Sloan said. "We've figured out ways to incorporate that into the play."
Sloan was referring to clothing changes in the play. The actors must change clothing in front of the audience because the changes were part of life in the attic.
He said scene and clothing changes would be done discreetly. Sloan added recorded diary selections to scenes and will be played when scenes change.
"It sort of looks like they're living, and you added them to real life—they've changed their lives," she said.
Emily Johnston, Lawrence sophomore, plays Anne's sister, Margot. She said the costume changes were the most difficult aspect of the play.
"That is the hardest part," she said. "We have 10 seconds to change our clothes, which is kind of a hassle."
Sloan said that 68 sound cues were used in the two-hour play. The sound effects simulate airplane engines, church bells, marching soldiers and children at play in the street.
Sherr said that many producers were needed to put on the play.
"We've recorded sounds so there is a feeling of life outside," he said.
"There's a lot people putting tins on. The 10 people on stage are only the tip of the iceberg." Sherr said. "The play is fun but difficult to fit into your life. I wouldn't want to count the number of hours we've worked."
"I try to leave the weekend free so the people can relax. People need time away from it." Sloan said
Other cast members include Becky Sherr, Lawrence High School senior, as Anne Frank; Laurie Vander Pol-Hosek as Mrs. Frank; Judith Scheff as Mrs. Van Daan; Maury Peters as Mr. Van Daan; Michael Boring as Peter; Charles Neuringer as Dussel; Arnold Weiss as Kraler; and Hannes Combes at Miep.
The play first was performed in 1955 in New York. The Lawrence theater will give eight performances. The play will be performed at 8 p.m. today, tomorrow, Saturday, April 30 and May 1 and 2. Matinees are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday and May 1. Sign language will accompany the Saturday performance.
During a Hanukkah celebration, Anne Frank, portrayed by Becky Sherr, points at the pachu fuzz on Peter's upper lip in "The Diary of Anne Frank," which opens tonight at the Lawrence Community Theatre. Peter is played by Michael Boring, Charles Neuringer plays Dussel, seated at left, and Emily Johnston plays Margot, also seated.
Gareth Waltrip/KANSAN
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
WZR 106 day ****
at...
Flavors - 701 W. 9th
King of Jeans - 740 Mass.
Putt Putt - 3107 Iowa
ISTEN TO KLZR FOR MORE DETAILS!
--the Sanctuary 7th & Michigan reciprocal with over 300 clubs.843-0540
THERE'S STILL TIME TOPREPARE
JUNE 15 LSAT
Classes Starting 3/24
Lawrence: 5/14, K.C.: 5/7
*CALL DAYS. EVENINGS & WEEKENDS*
024-5424-3424
Stanley H. KAPLAN
Educational CENTER LTD.
TEST PREPARATION SERVICE SWAT 912-620-8741
PIZZA PIZZA 842-0600 PIZZA PIZZA DELIVERED
4 WEEK CLASSES STARTING:
Lawrence: 5/14, Kansas City: 5/7
WE LOVE OUR SENIORS
Fri. Special: All You Can Eat Tacos 4:30-6:30 $2.00
BOB ALLEN FORD
Congratulations KU Graduates
1987 Ford Mustang LX
Power steering
Power brakes
Power locks
Speed control
Styled road wheels
Steel belted radials
& much more
$798800 Stk # 70968 Delivered
Graduating seniors qualify for a $400.00 cash assistance from Ford Motor Credit to be used as a down payment or as cash back!!!
BOB ALLEN FORD
92nd & Metcalf
Overland Park, Ks
Spring in clothing from Mister Guy... Lawrence's only complete specialty shop for the Man or Woman who believes in style not fashion. Fashion changes with every whim...but style is enduring, and permanent. We, at Mister Guy feel we've got your style..
1-381-3000
Hours:
M-T-W-F.Sat.
9:30-6:00
Thur. 9:30-8:30
Sun. 12-5
Year Round
MISTER GUY
MENS & WOMEN'S TRADITIONAL CLOTHIERS
920 Massachusetts Lawrence, KS 842-2700