photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Public Theater
The Broadway production, The Diary of Anne Frank, will be playing at the Pittsburgh Public Theater from September 24 – October 25. 

From the time she spent hiding to her tragic death, the O’Reilly Theater takes guests on the journey of Anne Frank’s life as a victim of the Holocaust.

“The show keeping everyone alive and visible is a reminder that there was no space, there was no space at all,” Erika Cucena, Point Park Alumni with a B.F.A in acting said. “…And it’s really about people growing, growing up in life.”

The production of  “The Diary of Anne Frank” tells the story of the Frank family living in the secret annex, accompanied by the Van Daan family and Mr. Dussel.  While in hiding from Nazis for over two years, the play portrays the experiences written through Anne’s eyes in her diary.

Cucena also explained how the show highlights the dynamics of Anne’s diary and a child discovering herself.

Margie Romero, communications manager at Pittsburgh Public Theater, explains that throughout the show the eight characters remain on stage the entire time. The characters that help bring food and supplies are the only ones to leave the set.  

Romero said that a lot of sounds were created for the production, from the clicking of Nazi officer’s boots to the sounds of air raids. 

Cucena plays the character Margot Frank, the older of the two Frank sisters.

“[Margot] was the more poised, respectful, very studious of the two daughters,” said Cucena Thursday afternoon at the O’Reilly Theater. “There’s really not that much written about her in Anne’s diary except about how perfect she is and how she is always getting everything right.”

Daniel Krell, an alumnus of Point Park with a B.F.A. in acting, portrays the character Mr. Dussel in the production. 

Historically, Mr. Dussel’s real name was Pfeffer. In Anne’s diary she changed his name to Mr. Dussel, which Krell explained could be translated to “dummy.” 

“Dussel is very fastidious and pedantic…being locked in an attic is not very easy for him,” Krell said Thursday afternoon at O’Reilly Theater. 

Character Anne and Mr. Dussel end up sharing a room and Romero adds that it is difficult for both of them, creating some of the best scenes.

“And that situation is really interesting for the audience to see,” said Romero Thursday afternoon at O’Reilly Theater. “Some of the best scenes are between how Anne treats Mr. Dussel; she thinks he’s a phony.”

Krell believes this is an actor’s play and is one of his favorite things about this production.

“It is a character driven piece, Krell said. “So that gives the actors and opportunity to really do what they enjoy doing…It’s as written because of the character study and it is very actor friendly.”

Krell added that the show does a great job of solving conflict and resolution.

“There are constantly conflicts that come up and then the way they are resolved or not resolved or put on hold,” Krell said. “So they’re constantly, you see them, trying to deal with all these things that keep coming up.”

Cucena expressed how great it is to be working with the other cast members. 

“It has been great and really collaborative,” Cucena said.

An alumnus of Point Park, Krell believes that the conservatory helped him build his acting skills in not just one focused technique, but a variety of styles. He said he was able to obtain some of the many skills to pull from his “tool bag” because of the opportunity to learn different approaches.

“Actors have tool bags and you up that tool bag as you go through your career,” Krell said. “And then there is that thing you have for 20 years and you never need until one time you go ‘Oh yeah, yeah that is what that teacher was talking about’…and then you can incorporate it.”

Krell also had advice for any asipiring actors that he has learned.

“Learn everything you can,” Krell said. “Anything you learn in life can be applied to acting.”

“The Diary of Anne Frank” will be showing at the O’Reilly Theater on 621 Penn Ave.  from Sept. 24 through Oct. 25.  Student discounts are available with a valid ID. For ticket purchases and more information call, 412-316-1600 or visit the website ppt.org. 

photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Public Theater
Erika Cuenca, a Point Park Conservatory of Performing Arts alumni, plays the role of Margot Frank in the The Diary of Anne Frank.

photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Public Theater
Daniel Krell, plays the role of Mr. Dussel in the production The Diary of Anne Frank now playing at the Pittsburgh Public Theater.