The Diary of Anne Frank at Olney Theatre Center

In this powerful adaptation of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett's The Diary of Anne Frank by Wendy Kesselman, the young title character emerges from history as a living, lyrical, intensely gifted girl who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of her time with astonishing honesty, wit and determination. Directed by Derek Goldman (Grounded), this impassioned drama peeks in on Frank, her family and their friends as they hide from the Nazis in Occupied Amsterdam in a concealed storage attic. The work captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence. Each day for two dark years, Frank's voice shines through: "When I write I shake off all my cares. But I want to achieve more than that. I want to be useful and bring enjoyment to all people, even those I've never met. I want to go on living even after my death!" Kesselman's adaptation of the original play received raves when published and when first performed on Broadway in 1997, with Natalie Portman as Anne. See it now at the cozy Olney Theatre Center - Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab.