The Diary of Anne Frank Closes Chenango River Theatre’s 2011 Season

One of only 6 plays in history to win the Pulitzer Prize, the Tony Award, and the NY Drama Critics Circle Award, The Diary of Anne Frank runs Sept. 30 - Oct. 23 as the final play of Chenango River Theatre's 2011 season.

In this transcendently powerful play, Anne Frank emerges as 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, this play captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence - their fear, hope, laughter and grief.

CRT's Artistic Director Bill Lelbach, who's directing and designing this production, says "It's a great play - because of the cast size, often the only time people see it is at the local high school or community theatre. For a professional theatre like ours, it's usually too expensive to bring classic American plays to the stage. But we're committed to the concept that these are plays that audiences should be able to enjoy with a company that has the ability to cast the show from a national talent base."

This production is the second in Chenango River Theatre's American Classics Series - productions of the classic plays we all remember from studying and reading them in high school. This year over 1,000 students from area school systems have already been booked to see the production in special morning performances. Last season over 500 students saw Of Mice and Men in CRT's first year of offering on school time performances.

Very few plays have moved the Broadway critics to write such glowing notices, receiving the unanimous acclaim of all the top New York reviewers: "A play that should never be forgotten, and a play that, once seen, you will never forget. I would suggest you take your children." Clive Barnes, NY Post.

Featured in the key role of Anne Frank is local actress Sydney Stachyra, who won the role competing against over 300 union and non-union actresses from across the country who submitted for the role. Playing her father, Mr. Frank, is Broadway veteran Jonathan Brody, most recently seen at CRT in The Mystery of Irma Vep. Domenica Galati, who's been seen on The Sopranos, portrays Mrs. Frank while BU graduate Rebekah Baker plays Anne's sister Margot.

Jim Wicker, who has appeared in every CRT season except 2010 returns from his cabin in North Carolina to play Mr. Van Daan opposite Colby Thomas as Mrs. Van Daan. Colby appeared in I Hate Hamlet (with Jim as Barrymore) at CRT. She teaches now at SUNY Oneonta and her background includes numerous national tours and a long stint as Christine in Phantom of the Opera. Their son Peter is played by Matt DuMont, who most recently performed in the world premiere oratorio A Melancholy Beauty at the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.

Laurel Casillo, featured as Rose in CRT's 2007 production of A Shayna Maidel, returns to work with CRT. Another Broadway veteran, Jerry Marino, plays the role of Mr. Dussell and area actor Mitch Tiffany brings Mr. Kraler, who assisted those in hiding, to life.

The Diary of Anne Frank is Co-Produced by Pete & Karen Raymond, and by Ruth & Charles Young with Brandilynn & Scott Craver. Performances are Sept. 30 - Oct. 23, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, plus Sunday matinees at 2:00pm at Chenango River Theatre, 991 State Highway 12, Greene NY (15-20 minutes from Binghamton).

Tickets are $18 Thursdays, $19 Fridays & Sundays, and $22 on Saturdays. All performances start on time - late seating is not available. The box office opens one half hour before curtain. The 24 Hour Reservation Line accepts reservations at any time at 607 656-8499 (TIXX). Tickets may be charged to MasterCard, Visa or Discover. Visit www.chenangorivertheatre.org for a complete schedule and more information.