Holocaust story packs powerful message
Play review
By Sally Carpenter sallyc@theacorn.com

HIDING PLACE- The Frank family of Amsterdam flees to an attic room to escape the Nazi persecution in "The Diary of Anne Frank" playing at the Camarillo Community Theatre through Sept. 16. Standing is Dave Newcomer as Otto. Seated from left: Andrea Tate Friedline (Edith), Joanna Bert (Anne), and Tara Michelle Golson (Margot). For tickets, call (805) 388-5716.

Many of today's teens are preoccupied with video games and shopping. But for 13-year-old Anne Frank during the Holocaust, her priority was survival.

Camarillo Community Theatre bravely tackles "The Diary of Anne Frank," an adaptation by Wendy Kesselman that adds new material to the 1955 script by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. Juanita Seavey and Jeff Wallach direct.

The play opens in 1943 with the Franks entering an attic above father Otto's (Dave Newcomber) office in Amsterdam- their dwelling for the next two years as they hide from Nazi persecution. For two-and-a-half hours the cast never leaves the stage, not even during intermission.

Anne (Joanne Bert) smiles, skips and looks forward to the "adventure." With youthful energy she can't sit still and chatters constantly. Mother Edith (Andrea Tate Friedline) has less optimism and looks strained. Anne's older sister Margot (Tara Michelle Golson) is the studious child who never misbehaves.

The Franks must share this miniscule space with Otto's business partner, Mr. Van Daan (Larry Shilkoff), his wife (Nancy Solomons), their 16-year-old son Peter (Vitthal Mendieta), Peter's cat and Mr. Dussel (Roger Krevenas), a Jewish doctor who's allergic to cats.

As the families enter, they peel off layers of clothes, their only possessions. On their clothing is a large yellow Star of David, a constant reminder of why they must hide.

They can only talk and walk freely at night after the workers have left the building. They cannot leave the room or look out the windows. Their only contacts are Miep Gies (Jennifer Carnahan) and Mr. Kraler (Mark Swann), two Christians who bring them food, supplies and news. Miep downplays her role in helping the Jews: "We're not heroes. We hate the Nazis."

The play is about not only the war with Germany but also Anne's battle with adolescence. In her attempts at friendliness, she hurts feelings. She's too forward with Peter, and she causes accidents. Edith tells Anne to behave more like her quiet sister. Anne feels she can't talk to her mother and that she can do nothing right.

Like many girls, she has big dreams for her future, and she loves movie stars. She's awed by her changing body and awakening sexuality. Her only confidant is her diary, where she records her thoughts. As the play progresses, she matures and behaves less flighty. Her observations on human nature are surprisingly astute for her age.

The others aren't immune to the stresses of the pressure cooker they live in. Minor irritations become major battles. Lack of food causes a mealtime mutiny. The two families shout at each other. Each noise causes everyone to stop and tremble that the Nazis are coming. Trying times expose raw nerves.

In spite of the difficulties, we see joy. The families celebrate Hanukkah. As Anna and Peter draw closer, Mrs. Van Daan beams with anticipation of an "annex wedding." In one stunning scene, a spotlight falls on Mr. Dussel as he slips on his prayer shawl and recites a prayer. Anne states her pride in her Jewish heritage. Although their faith is the cause of their difficulty, it also provides them hope and comfort to endure.

The acting is first rate. Bert carries her demanding role well, and Golson is soleful as the dutiful child. From Friedline's entrance, we see a pinched-face woman aged by worry. Newcomer takes charge to keep order, but he's also tender with Anne.

Solomons is the fireball who explodes with anger and laughter. She and Shilkoff play off each other as the longtime couple used to each other. We see their deep love when Mrs. Van Daan describes why she picked him from her other beaus: "You made me laugh."

The lighting and sound effects, including radio broadcasts, add much to the drama.

Even gentiles can relate to the play's universal themes. The play shows a dark side of human nature that hasn't changed. People still kill each other for no reason. Ultimately goodness wins out, but at a terrible cost. Although Anne's words are preserved, she died in a concentration camp at age 15, along with her mother and sister.

The play's message is for humans to love each other and prevent the need for another girl in hiding to write a diary.

The show continues weekends through Sept. 16 at 330 Skyway Drive, Camarillo, inside the airport. For tickets, call (805) 388-5716.