FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 23, 2012 MEDIA CONTACTS Connie Shaver, 612.308.5785 [email protected] Susan Berdahl, 651.767.8492 [email protected]
Park Square Presents the Poignant Story of a Young Girl Coming of Age during the Holocaust Three Public Performances March 1, 3 & 31
(Saint Paul, Minn.) – Park Square Theatre presents its annual production of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, based on one of the 20th Century’s most inspiring and enduring narratives. The story comes to life in three public performances March 1 & 3 at 7:30 p.m., and March 31 at 1 p.m. at Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul. Daytime performances for students run February 27 through May 18, 2012.
This extraordinary account of eight Jewish people hiding in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam is based on the personal diary of its protagonist. Anne Frank emerges from history as a lyrical and intensely gifted young woman. Her spirit, optimism, and nobility amidst the horrors of the Holocaust are brought to life through this heart-felt production, directed by Scott Rubsam.
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK made its theater debut in 1956. Since then, it has been reproduced countless times on stages across the country and abroad. Collaborators Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, longtime Hollywood writers, had little experience with such a story as that of the Frank family. Previous scripts included sophisticated comedies such as The Thin Man or lively musicals such as Easter Parade. However, Goodrich and Hackett researched the play meticulously, drawing not only on Anne’s diary but also on the experience of visiting Otto Frank and the attic hideout. As Evelyn Ehrlich noted in Dictionary of Literary Biography, Hackett in 1956 said, ‘‘We all felt we were working for a cause, not just a play.’’
Kathryn Lawrey returns to the role of Anne Frank, joined by Robert-Bruce Blake and Julie Ann Nevill (Mr. and Mrs. Van Daan), Joy Rakerd (Edith Frank), Heather Raiter (Margot Frank) and Stephen Pearce (Mr. Kraler). Charles Fraser (Mr. Dussel), David McMenomy (Peter Van Daan), Karla Reck (Miep Gies) and Peter Thomson (Otto Frank) complete the cast. During a portion of the run, Stephen D’Ambrose will play Otto Frank, a role he created for Park Square during the theatre’s first performance of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK.
Park Square inspires 25,000 students each season—one of Minnesota’s largest teen theatre audiences. Students come from all over Minnesota, Wisconsin and northern Iowa, attending the play and adding enrichment through workshops, post-show talk back opportunities and Park Square’s trademark “Build a Moment” demonstration. More than 100,000 teens have seen THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at Park Square Theatre.
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK is a part of the 3M Student Series.
Performance Schedule: Weekday matinees of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK begin on February 27 and run through May 18. The three public performances will be held Thursday March 1 and Saturday March 3 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, March 31 at 1 p.m. All performances are in the company’s intimate theater in Saint Paul’s historic Hamm Building, 20 W. Seventh Place.
Ticket prices: General Audience Performances March 1, 3 & 31: $38 & $58. Discounts are available for seniors, those under age 30, and groups. Tickets are on sale at the Park Square box office, 20 West Seventh Place, or by phone: 651.291.7005, (12 noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday), or online at www.parksquaretheatre.org.
CALENDAR INFORMATION The Diary of Anne Frank By Goodrich & Hackett Directed by Scott Rubsam Public Performances: March 1, 3 & 31, 2012 Tickets for Mar 1, 3 & 31: $38-$58 PARK SQUARE THEATRE 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul Box office: 651-291-7005 or www.parksquaretheatre.org
Student Performances: February 27-May 18, 2012
A Classic from our 3M Student Series Be inspired by a girl whose imagination and hope would not be stifled by adversity. In this extraordinary account of eight Jews hiding in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, Anne Frank emerges from history as a lyrical and intensely gifted young woman.
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday FEBRUARY 27 28 29 MARCH 1 2 3 Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. AD 5 6 Student matinee Student matinee ASL 12 13 14 15 16 Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee
19 20 21 22 23 Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee
26 27 29 30 31 Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee 1 p.m. ASL APRIL 2 3 5 Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee
16 17 18 19 20 Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee
23 24 26 27 Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee
30 MAY 1 2 3 4 Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee
7 8 9 10 11 Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee
14 15 16 17 18 Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee Student matinee
ASL: American Sign Language interpretation AD: Audio Description
American Family By Carlyle Brown Next on Park Square’s Stage Directed by Marion McClinton
Previews: March 16-March 22, 2012 Regular Run: March 23-April 7, 2012 (no performance on Easter)
A world premiere commission! A woman returns to the playground where she last saw her mother, searching for the life she might have had. By revisiting her past, and meeting the half-brother she never knew, she finds a new path back to herself. This gentle journey reminds us that society can only be different once the ghosts of another era are put to rest.
Featuring Michael Terrell Brown, Megan Fischer, Gavin Lawrence, John Middleton, Tracey Maloney, Greta Oglesby, Noel Raymond and James A. Williams.
Doubt, A Parable By John Patrick Shanley Directed by Craig Johnson Previews April 20-26 Regular Run: April 27-May 13, 2012
The formidable Sister Aloysius does not approve of the charismatic Father Flynn, or the favor he shows one of her students. In fact, she considers charging him with her unproven allegations. Their battle for truth and personal integrity poses questions to ponder long after the curtain goes down.
Featuring Linda Kelsey, Anna Sundberg, David Mann and Regina Marie Williams.
PARK SQUARE THEATRE. 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul. Box office: 651.291.7005. www.parksquaretheatre.org
# # #