Kesselman’s compelling new adaptation of Anne’s famous diary, based on the original play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, captures the terrifying existence of eight European Jews hiding from the Nazis in war-torn Holland for more than two years. This impassioned drama depicts their fears, their hopes, their laughter, and their grief. Each day of these two dark years for these eight individuals shines through Anne’s clear and powerful voice and for millions who can’t tell their stories.

The Diary of Anne Frank features Heather Farr as Anne Frank, George Roth* as Otto Frank and Paula Duesing* as Mrs. Van Daan. Also, with Brian Bartels, Mark Cipra, Kevin Coughlin, Kyle Dowling, Gareth Harris, Bob McCoy, Anne McEvoy, Lisa Siciliano, John Stuehr, and Dawn Youngs.

Director Sarah May is well known to audiences, most recently through her direction of The Children’s Hour and Boy Gets Girl at the Beck Center. She received the Northern Ohio Live Award in 2001 for A Piece of My Heart, and was honored by Cleveland Scene Magazine, which named her Charenton Theatre production of Six Degrees of Separation the “Best Theatre Production” of 2003.

“What a unique opportunity it is to get to revisit this amazing play with most of our original cast intact!” exclaims May. “Two years ago I had the honor to work with these great actors to tell Anne's story. Her saga represents the tragedy suffered by millions during the Holocaust, and it must never be forgotten! We are so thrilled to be able to celebrate their courage and pass their legacy on.” As part of Beck’s ongoing commitment to theater education, we will also be presenting ten performances for school groups.

Beck Center’s production of this emotional drama is sponsored by Cox Communications, WCLV 104.9 FM, The National Conference on Community and Justice (NCCJ), and the Ohio Arts Council. Educational materials were provided by the NCCJ. Programming at the Beck Center is made possible through the generous support of The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, The John P. Murphy Foundation, The Kulas Foundation, The Eva L. & Joseph M. Bruening Foundation, The Abington Foundation, and the Thomas H. White Foundation. Beck Center gratefully acknowledges the citizens of Cuyahoga County for their support through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

Show dates and times are 8 p.m. Friday, February 1, Saturdays, January 26 and February 9 and 3 p.m. Sunday, February 3. For tickets to The Diary of Anne Frank call the Beck Center box office at (216) 521-2540 or log onto www.beckcenter.org. Ticket prices are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors and $17 for students (22 and under with I.D.). Group discounts are available for parties of 13 or more. Rush tickets for students (22 and under with I.D.) are offered for $10 each on Sunday only, 30 minutes prior to curtain, based on availability. Members of the Maltz Museum of Jewish History will receive a $5 discount on each ticket purchased. Beck Center for the Arts is located just 10 minutes west of downtown Cleveland at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood. Free, convenient on-site parking is available.