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‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ dramatizes true-life tale of persecution

MORGANTOWN — More than 75 years ago, phrases with anti-Semitic fervor were being chanted on the streets of Amsterdam. On the morning of July 6, 1942, 13-year-old, Anne Frank and her family moved into the “Secret Annex” behind 263 Prinsengracht in Amsterdam.
That’s where the story of WVU’s production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” adapted by Wendy Kesselman picks up. It tells the story of eight Jewish citizens trying to hide from extreme persecution through the dramatization of the diary entries of Annelies Marie “Anne” Frank.
The show is set for 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Metropolitan Theatre.
According to a 2016 study done by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), “Only 77 percent of North Americans have heard of the Holocaust, and only 55 percent believe that the facts and numbers have not been either adjusted or totally fabricated. Only 41 percent of people (in all countries surveyed) aged 18-34 have even heard of the Holocaust.”
WVU’s portrayal of this story gives a fresh look at the circumstances that 45 percent of people on this continent deny.
“These issues haven’t disappeared; the world still turns its back on those in need. Sometimes we need the reminder to open our eyes to what’s happening around us, and this show does just that,” said Emma Christine Patterson, senior BFA acting student with a minor in vocal performance, who is playing Mrs. Van Daan in WVU’s production.

“We can never forget,” said director Jerry McGonigal, professor of acting and directing and director of graduate studies. “What happened, happened to people. We owe it to mankind to put a face on a horrible story.”
Tickets are available on campus at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box office locations (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, closed 12:30-1 p.m.), by calling 304-293-SHOW (7469) and online at ticketmaster.com.
To inquire about group rates, email cac@mail.wvu.edu. Special ticket pricing is available for children ages 18 and under, WVU students with valid ID and senior citizens age 65 and up. To inquire about group rates, email cac@mail.wvu.edu.
“The Diary of Anne Frank” is part of WVU’s College of Creative Arts Curiosity Series, a sampling of the diverse art events that happen in the college each year. These events feature students, faculty and internationally acclaimed guest artists hosted by the School of Art & Design, School of Music and School of Theatre & Dance. Exhibitions at the Art Museum of WVU feature artists from West Virginia and around the world.