Review: 'And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank'
Multimedia drama at Meadow Brook sheds light on evils of the Holocaust
"I did what I was told," a member of Hitler's Youth tells the audience in Meadow Brook Theatre's latest production, "And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank."
Few, if any, accepted the young man's excuse; most seemed to leave the theater stunned by the evil inflicted upon European Jews during World War II.
It's a story that still needs to be told.
It's a sentiment with which Playwright James Still obviously agrees.
A recipient of the Charlotte B. Chorpenning Playwright Award for Distinguished Body of Work, Still was deeply touched at the age of 12 by reading Anne Frank's diary. "The only way we will remember the Holocaust is if we hear from people who were actually there. Then, I'm convinced, we'll never be able to forget. And maybe then, by remembering, it will never happen again," he said in a 2002 interview.
With the number of Holocaust survivors rapidly dwindling, firsthand narratives are becoming rare. However, a book written by Auschwitz survivor Eva Geiringer Schloss attracted the playwright's attention. Their collaboration has become one of the most oft-produced plays for family audiences – and a first-rate recollection of Holocaust memories by two of its survivors.
Unlike "The Diary of Anne Frank," Still's script does not tell the story of just one young girl. Instead, "And Then They Came for Me" focuses on the true-life experiences of teenagers Schloss and Ed Silverberg, both of whom knew Anne prior to her arrest. (Silverberg is nicknamed "Hello" in Anne's diary; he was also her first boyfriend.) The play is primarily their story, but Anne makes several appearances; so, too, does the unnamed Hitler Youth.
The story is told by interspersing videotaped interviews with Schloss and Silverberg with re-enactments of their experiences brought to life by six actors, three of whom play multiple roles. Add to the mix photos and period music, and the result is an intense and moving evening of theater.
That's a lot to coordinate; one missed cue and the show could easily begin to crumble. Such was not the case last Saturday night as director Karen Sheridan and her tech team performed their jobs nearly flawlessly; the production flowed seamlessly from beginning to end.
However, much of the show's success hinges on the believability of the adult actors playing teenage roles. Sheridan and her actors employ every trick in the book to accomplish that Рfrom the clothes to the body language to the vocal characteristics Рand for the most part, the faade works well.
Especially notable is Rachel Kaiman who imbues Anne with a vivaciousness that lights up the stage. Paul Riopelle plays Ed with the appropriate mix of bravado and youthful innocence, while Michelle Held gives Eva a wonderful moment every parent of a bored teen will recognize. And Dennis North digs beneath the stereotype to give a shred of humanity to the Hitler Youth.
John Biedenbach and Milica Govich complete the cast.
"And Then They Came For Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank" Presented Wednesday through Sunday at Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester Hills, through April 10. Tickets: $20 – $36. 248-377-3300. http://www.mbtheatre.com.
The Bottom Line: An innovative, entertaining and powerful history lesson for young and old alike that proves that theater is as its best when it opens discussion on the important issues of the day.
Kalamazoo Civic Theatre to host national theatre convention
Compiled by Donald V. Calamia
KALAMAZOO – Theater lovers will want to keep their calendars open June 14 through 18 for the American Association of Community Theatre's national theatre festival at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre.
The national festival, held every two years, is the exciting destination for 11 productions adjudicated and advanced from state and regional levels. It is a major theatrical event, and over 500 theatre managers, directors, designers, actors and volunteers from all over the country are expected to attend.
The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre is no stranger to AACTFest, having hosted the national festival in 1981, as well as representing Region III in three national festivals.
In addition to the 11 performances; workshops by professionals on topics benefiting performers, directors, technicians and volunteers will also be available. And with the exciting post-performance gatherings, exhibits and the coup de gras Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony, it's going to be A Hot Time in the "Cool City" of Kalamazoo.
To make reservations for this event, download a form from http://www.kazoocivic.comor contact the National Host Chair Cathie Weir at 269-343-2280.
And watch Curtain Calls this May for more details!
