On the evenings of November 16 through 18, MPHS drama presented a profoundly meaningful production close to their hearts: The Diary of Anne Frank. Despite initial doubts about how a high school theater program would handle such a deeply sensitive script exploring the traumas of the Holocaust, the performance proved to be an outstanding testament to Mount drama’s adeptness in approaching challenging subject matter with both sensitivity and technical skills. Dylan Steinberg, who may be familiar to Mount students as the charismatic news anchor from “Mornings at Mount,” portrayed Anne Frank with remarkable depth. Accompanying actors, including Stephen Rice as Otto Frank and Elisa Costas as Margot Frank, embraced the opportunity to honor their Jewish heritage through this poignant retelling of history and culture. Abby Davis, who played Edith Frank, commented on the weight of playing such a profound moment in time. According to them, “[Mount Pleasant students] are doing this show because the messages shared will never not be important.”
The production of Anne Frank not only served as a vehicle for education, bridging the gap between the past and present, but also offered a compellingly personal narrative of a young girl going through all the troubles of adolescence during an incredibly complicated and harrowing time. Through the play, audiences gained a candid and authentic glimpse into the experiences endured by many Jewish individuals. This performance stands as yet another testament to Mount Pleasant’s theater club’s fearlessness in tackling complex themes, akin to their past productions like She Kills Monsters and The Laramie Project.
Beyond being a profoundly emotional and thought-provoking experience, The Diary of Anne Frank underscored the theater program’s technical capabilities, reaffirming the distinction they were given by being the only high school in Delaware awarded the privilege of staging Frozen: The Broadway Musical for last year’s spring production. The meticulous attention to detail in costuming and set design, coupled with exceptional sound design, elevated the show to a new level. Interspersed within the production were moments where the stage went dark, accompanied by excerpts of speeches and Nazi songs, heightening the stark reality of the situations portrayed on stage. Watching the production of Anne Frank was an immersive and emotionally stirring experience that surely left a lasting impact on every audience member.
