By Cindy Gladden Record Staff Writer The historic Belle Starr Theatre will once again bring a live production to the Warrenton area beginning Friday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m. “The Diary of Anne Frank,” …
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Live production to hit stage at Belle Starr
Posted
By Cindy GladdenRecord Staff WriterThe historic Belle Starr Theatre will once again bring a live production to the Warrenton area beginning Friday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m. “The Diary of Anne Frank,” under the direction of Jim Mossop, will continue Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m.The play is based on the true story of 13-year-old Anne Frank as chronicled in her diary. The Frank family was hidden during the German occupation of the Netherlands.Frank began writing in her diary in June of 1942. Her entire family remained hidden for two years, until they were discovered and arrested.Mossop, a Warrenton native, got his first taste of theatre at Warrenton High School under teacher Sandy Nolkemper. He went on to receive a degree in Communication Arts and has spent a lot of time at the Belle Starr Theatre acting and directing in the early ’90s.“Some people asked why I’m doing such a depressing story at Christmas,” he said. “When is a good time to do it? It’s a story about hope and faith. It’s appropriate for Christmas.”Mossop said he thinks it’s wonderful that the play also will take place on Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday. Anne Frank and her family were Jewish and were hidden by a Christian family.Comparing the Frank family to a more current-day issue, Mossop said he sees the same kind of peril being played out with the Syrian refugee situation.“The Frank family applied for asylum,” he said. “They were turned down. They were just trying to find peace and a better life like so many people.”Twelve-year-old Olivia Morgan will play the part of Anne, a challenging role for anyone. The diary describes a time in a young girl’s life when the whole world was falling apart and she was facing the uncertainty of growing up.Anne was placed in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, dying of typhus in 1944. Pages of the diary were found by Miep Gies, the woman who originally concealed the Frank family. After the war, Gies gave the diary to Anne’s father, the only Frank family survivor.At the end of each show, Mossop will spotlight each cast member, telling what happened to the people they portray in the production.“It’s a true story and that’s why it is so powerful and emotional,” said Mossop. “It’s very thought provoking about love and the human condition. I put myself in their place and I don’t know if I could hide a stranger.”The Belle Starr Theatre is located at 112 E. Main St. in Warrenton. Tickets are $10. For reservations, call 636-456-7937 or 636-456-2510.
Pictured above is a scene from the play, “The Diary of Anne Frank,” which will be performed on three days this weekend. The play will be held at the Belle Starr Theater on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. Submitted photo.
