Mainland Drama Club presents play with a message that’s still relevant
LINWOOD — The Mainland Drama Club is set to present its fall play Nov. 13-15, and this year is presenting ‘The Diary of Anne Frank,” a drama whose message is still relevant.
“‘The Diary of Anne Frank is more than history; it is a story of resilience, courage and the enduring power of hope,” Director Phil Pallitto said.
Written amid the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II, the teen’s diary provides a lens into the experience of those who were forced into hiding simply because of their religious beliefs.
“Although these events took place nearly 80 years ago, the themes of ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ remain urgently relevant today,” Pallitto said. “Her words remind us to confront prejudice, fear and oppression wherever they appear, and to consider our own responsibility in shaping a just and compassionate society.”
Pallitto said he always has been drawn to the story of Anne Frank, whose family stayed in hiding until being arrested in 1944, and felt it was appropriate given the state of the nation’s politics.
“I just felt as though with what’s going on in our world, with everything that’s happening, I couldn’t think of a more powerful piece,” he said.
As part of preparation for the play, the cast visited “Anne Frank The Exhibition” at the Center for Jewish History in New York City.
“I feel like Anne’s story has really been brought to the forefront and I think it’s a story that needs to continue to be told,” Pallitto said.
He said the main theme of the play is hope in the face of despair.
“Anne’s hope and Anne’s courage throughout everything, and to continue to have hope. … She said that despite everything, people are still good at heart and, you know, I think that that’s an important quote that really resonates with everything,” Pallitto said. “I think it’s important for the kids to understand that no matter what’s going on, people are good at heart and people do have to believe that.”
The set reflects the theme. Painted in black and shades of gray, it signifies despair. In contrast, Anne and those who visit from outside all are outfitted in bright colors.
“In our production, the world of the Secret Annex exists in grayscale: muted, confined and tense. Color is scarce, appearing only in small, deliberate bursts to symbolize hope, joy and the sparks of humanity that persist even in darkness,” Pallitto said. “Beyond those walls, the vibrant hues of the outside world represent freedom, life and the vitality that Anne longs to experience. This visual language serves as a constant reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope and human spirit cannot be entirely extinguished.”
In addition to the trip to New York, the cast worked with the Jewish Community Center in Margate to ensure the Hanukkah scene was accurate. The Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University brought two visiting professors who are the historians from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.
“It was such a powerful experience for the kids and it really validated the work that we’re doing. It’s just been such an amazing, unique experience that I think the kids will never get anywhere else,” Pallitto said.
Audrey Hope Gill is one of two actresses portraying Anne.
“This is my first big role and it’s definitely a big change,” the junior from Northfield said, admitting it can be a bit overwhelming “but our directors and my incredible cast I feel like they make it so much easier to just kind of like step into such a powerful role.”
Hope Gill said it is important to her to portray the part correctly.
“It’s nerve-wracking but everybody here has made it so much easier and the process so much more fun,” she said. “I feel like with all of the help that we’ve had … I feel like our directors have done so much to help us really lock these characters in, and I feel like I do know Anne, and I feel like I really am portraying her in the best way anyone can.”
Also playing Anne is Charlotte Gerber, a sophomore from Northfield also in her first major role.
“It’s been such a great experience, just really learning and embracing the role and bringing her hopeful and youthful energy to the stage,” Gerber said.
Mia Patermo, a senior from Northfield, is mother Edith Frank.
“Mrs. Frank is interesting because she has a very different relationship with her daughters. Margot is like her baby and then she gets into tiffs, little arguments with Anne,” Patermo said. “So playing her, I have to find the difference between being loving and nurturing and then also standing my ground as a mother and telling her that it’s not OK to do certain things.”
Patermo said the play resonated with her on a personal level, noting her great-grandmother, who was displaced by the Holocaust, died during rehearsals.
“She’s such a big inspiration in my life and she was all about celebrating all the holidays and stuff like that,” Patermo said. “It’s just like, so much of her I see in it. They actually escaped before everything but still she like dealt with it all, so it’s been a different experience for me, I would say.
“It just makes me work harder and my performance is obviously dedicated to her.”
Veteran actor Skylar Laubach, a senior from Somers Point, plays father Otto Frank, who manages to keep everyone together despite Anne’s “urge to get out.”
“She’s around like 12 to 13 when she first goes to the annex and by the end of the show, she’s around 13, 14-ish,” Laubach said. “So she’s in that typical middle school angsty phase and when you’re inside a building for two years, trapped with other people and you can’t leave, you’re not allowed to go outside, you can’t get fresh air, the sun, it’s insane. It makes people go crazy, so she’s rebellious because she’s basically just a child going through being trapped inside this house and having to do the same things.”
He feels the play has a strong message.
“There’s been so many different challenges with all the stuff globally that’s happening, with so much anti-semitism still happening today, unfortunately, this show’s going to bring a good message that we need to remember,” he said.
Laubach, an aspiring architect, used CAD to design the floor plan of the annex. His work will be featured in the school lobby during the show’s run.
Lucy Tabasso, a junior from Linwood, portrays Margot Frank.
Tabasso said despite her quiet nature, Margot actually keeps everyone together.
“Even though she’s very quiet, it’s kind of like a silent way that she guides the family and keeps Anne from going too far,” she said. “I would say it’s very important for people to keep this story in the back of their mind, especially today, because we don’t want to repeat what has happened in the past and I feel like that is something that’s very important to focus on right now.”
One cast will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday and Saturday and the other at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students.
Cast list
Anne: Audrey Hope Gill, Charlotte Gerber
Otto Frank: Joh DeRichie, Skylar Laubach
Edith Frank: Kira Finnegan, Mia Patermo
Margot Frank: Julia Plamantouras, Lucy Tabasso
Miep Gies: Ava DiPasquale, Juliana Brummett
Peter Van Daan: Alex Piergiovanni
Mr. Kraler: Sage Brimm, Jacob Franklin
Mrs. Van Daan: Olivia Crede, Madison McKnight
Mr. Van Daan: Jack Traa
Mr. Dussel Patrick Mulars, Declan Kardzhilova
First Man: Liam Murray
Anne/Margot understudy: Olivia Quigley
Mrs. Frank/Mrs. Van Daan understudy: Callie Collins
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
