On Nov. 15 through 17, students at Storm King School will present “The Diary of Anne Frank.”
“I’ve wanted to do it for a long time,” said director Anne Fulton. “It’s so beautifully written and I was just waiting for the right opportunity. I have a group of kids that I felt could handle it and they’ve been doing a great job.”
The story was originally adapted for the stage in the late 1950s. The play won a Tony Award, as well as a Pulitzer Prize. An updated version came out about three years ago, but Fulton chose to do the original version.
“The revised one has a little bit more adult material in it,” said Fulton, “and I just felt the original version was a better fit for our kids.”
What makes the play difficult, is eight of the 10 cast members are on stage for the entire performance. Fulton said it’s especially difficult for Alexandra, who plays Anne Frank.
“She’s in every scene and had a tremendous number of lines to memorize.”
All the performers, however, are comfortable being on stage. Five are in Fulton’s acting class and a couple have done theater before.
The cast might be small, but Fulton said it’s not unusual to have a cast of 10 to 15 for a fall production. Musicals typically warrant a larger cast.
Try-outs for the play started the second week of school. Twenty-one students tried out and parts were awarded as soon as try-outs were complete. Those who didn’t earn a part were happy to work behind the scenes as part of the stage crew.
Although “The Diary of Anne Frank” takes place in a secret annex, Fulton said it’s a very prop-heavy show.
Aside from being on stage for the entire production, the eight cast members must also deal with the small confines of the stage. It seems apropos given the living conditions Frank and her family endured for two years.
Something Fulton has tried to get across to the young performers is they’re portraying people who actually existed. There are also many life lessons for both children and teenagers.
“I just find it one of the most touching plays I’ve ever done,” Fulton said. “It’s very moving particularly at the end. It just shows people rising above a terrible situation, doing their best to get along with each other.”
Show times are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Walter Reade, Jr. Theatre. Tickets may be purchased at the door or by calling Anne Fulton at 845-458-7521 or e-mailing afulton@sks.org.
