The Diary of Anne Frank at the Patchogue Theatre March 13th, 14th

I have long been a fan of the acting talent of Matthew Conlon the stalwart icon of the Hamptons Theatre Company in Quogue. He has appeared on TV shows and has done some movies too. However Matthew contacted me about what he considers a very important production he is performing in that being “The Diary of Anne Frank.” It is being performed in Patchogue March 13 and 14. He believes in the show and it’s powerful message.

It was reported that veteran Long Island director Joe Minutillo was approached by Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts’ executive director Gary Hygom about doing “The Diary of Anne Frank,” Minutillo didn’t even have to think twice about directing this the story of Anne Frank.

I remember when my own daughter first read the diary of Anne Frank, about 23 years ago. Then when she spent a year of college in Europe she wrote me a letter about visiting the house and space where it all happened and seeing the same tree Anne Frank did. Very powerful moments in my daughters life.

The story of Anne Frank is of a Jewish teenager who, along with her parents, sister and four others, hid from the Nazis in an attic in Amsterdam from 1942 to 1944. During that time, she recorded her thoughts, hopes, desires and fears in her diary. Otto Frank, the sole survivor from the group, was so moved when he read the diary after his daughter’s death, that he had it published in 1947. It became a literary classic that was turned into a Pulitzer Prize-winning play in 1955 and four years later became an Oscar-winning film.

In another publication it was reported that Wantagh actress Lisa Meckes who plays Mrs. Van Daan, said that any time there's a production of "The Diary of Anne Frank," she tries to participate, hoping to touch the audience through art. "You hope to take them on a journey. Everyone in that attic went through angst and fear and struggled to keep hope alive so that they could go on. You hope the audience will leave with sympathy. Knowing what it might feel like to be in someone else's shoes for a day, it'll make you a better person."

Please make all efforts to this this show it’s only playing for two nights at the Patchogue Theatre.

www.patchoguetheatre.org

1.