Doors opened Thursday morning at the Everest-Rohrer Chapel/Fine Arts Center for the first showing of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” As the curtain rose and closed over the weekend, the play gained more and more success. Through five performances, 3,118 tickets had been sold. The play was guest directed by Clarence Gilyard, an associate professor of theatre at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas who is better known for his accomplishments in the world of professional acting. Gilyard has played important roles in “Left Behind,” “Matlock,” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.” The set used for “The Diary of Anne Frank” has been found unusual by a number of people. Rather than a solid, level stage, the design team chose to employ a tilted stage. “The choice to go with a tipped stage came from my imagery,” said Scenic Designer Johan Godwaldt. “I got the image of a bird building a bird’s nest, even though the prey is around, and it’s precariously perched. The whole set I drew off that sense of precariousness. Their whole world is about ready to collapse and fall on them, and in the midst of that, Otto Frank is nurturing and trying to protect his family.” The cast of fourteen rehearsed for five weeks prior to the start of the play. Rehearsals were held six nights each week and often lasted for several hours. There are three performances of “The Diary of Anne Frank” remaining: a school performance Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m., as well as two remaining shows on Friday, at 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tweet Follow @BeaconBethel
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