Cast announced for LRP’s production of ‘Anne Frank’
FLORENCE — The story of Anne
Frank captured with heartbreaking elo-
quency in the pages of her diary have
been shared on stage, film and count-
less art forms over the decades.
However, newly discovered writings
from her diary, along with survivor
accounts, have been interwoven into a
contemporary and impassioned re-
telling of the lives of people persecuted
under Nazi rule.
Written by Frances Goodrich and
Albert Hackett, and adapted for the
stage by Wendy Kesselman, the play
has been described by The Associated
Press as “A powerful new version that
moves the audience to gasps, then
tears.”
The play captures the claustrophobic
realities of the families in hiding as
they move through a daily existence
mixed with fear, hope, laughter and
grief during the two dark years Anne
Frank and her family managed to stay
alive within the confines of a space that
was both safe haven and prison.
Presented by The Last Resort
Players and directed by Jennifer
Connor and Cathy Dupont, auditions
for “Diary of Anne Frank” were held
last month, with the following
cats members announced for the
show’s April run:
Otto Frank — Dana Rodet
Edith Frank — Kate Gibson
Margot Frank — Brooklyn
Cahoon
Anne Frank — Memphis
Gkiewe
Mr. Putti Van Daan — Jim
Wellington
Mrs. Petronella Van Daan
— Jackie Crave
Peter Van Daan — Kyle
Hight
Jan Dussell — Grant
Harmond
Miep — Trudie Cahoon
Mr. Kraler — to be deter-
mined
Nazi soldiers: Wayne Sharpe,
Taylor Smith, Jamison Smith
and James Bonisteel.
The show is scheduled to be
performed at the end of April,
with several presentations to be
performed for local middle and
high school students.
More information is available
at www.lastresortplayers.org.
COURTESY PHOTO
CROW
TO HOST OPEN AUDITIONS FOR
FLORENCE — In a faraway kingdom,
the green ogre, Shrek, finds his swamp
invaded by banished fairytale misfits, run-
aways who’ve been cast off by Lord
Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions.
When Shrek sets off with a wise-cracking
donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed
a task: if he rescues feisty Princess Fiona
from the Dragon-guarded tower, his
swamp will be returned to him.
But, a fairy tale wouldn’t be complete
without unexpected twists and turns along
the way. Part romance and part twisted
fairy tale, “Shrek The Musical, Jr.,” is an
irreverently fun show for the family.
CROW (Children’s Repertory of
Oregon Workshops) has announced open
auditions, Jan. 11 and 12, for the musical
comedy with book and lyrics by David
Lindsay-Abaire, and music by Jeanine
Tesori.
This marks CROW’s fifth mainstage
production at the Florence Events Center.
The show will be performed April 15,
16 and 17, and for invited school audi-
1 0 • C OAST
ences on April 14. Local audiences may
recall that last spring CROW produced a
main stage production of “Once Upon A
Mattress,” which dazzled and delighted
audiences. CROW is a Florence-based
nonprofit organization dedicated to giving
back to the community by providing qual-
ity performing arts experiences to youth.
Artistic director Melanie Heard is a cre-
dentialed teacher, and founder of the pro-
gram. “We are not your ‘typical’ chil-
dren’s theatre organization,” says Heard.
“There is no charge to participate in a
CROW mainstage musical, and this dif-
ferentiates us from 95 percent of all other
youth theatre organizations in the nation.”
“It’s much more than just theatre. It’s an
opportunity to hone crucial life skills such
as teamwork, motivation, dedication and
self-esteem,” says Heard. “We hope that
these things will serve our kids well, no
matter what life path they may select.”
In addition to providing a very profes-
sional work environment for the cast
members, CROW utilizes the highest cal-
C ENTRAL • A r ts & En t er ta i n me n t • JA N U AR Y 2 0 16
‘S HREK
THE
iber costumes, sets, lighting design, cho-
reography, music, sound, stage makeup
and more.
“Just wait till you see this year’s fire
breathing dragon,” says Heard.
There are great roles for ages 6 to 22
and older, and all young people are
encouraged to try out regardless of previ-
ous stage experience.
Mature 4- to 6-year-olds may be con-
sidered for “Telegrammers.”
Auditions will be held at the Siuslaw
Middle School cafeteria on Jan. 11 and 12,
at 6:30 p.m. Invited callbacks will be held
on Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
There are approximately 40 to 45
onstage roles, and several behind the
scenes jobs for kids interested in technical
theatre. To audition or participate back-
stage, kids must attend the audition.
Onstage performer hopefuls will need to
bring 16-32 bars from a song that they
would like to sing (sheet music or a CD,
MP3 track with no background voices is
also acceptable), and a headshot and
M USICAL , J R .’
resume if available.
Prospective cast members will also be
taught a short dance combination, and
those asked to come to callbacks will read
sides from the script.
No experience is required, so don’t be
afraid to come and give it a try. Interested
families are encouraged to check out the
CROW website for all of the information
needed to prepare for the audition.
Rehearsals will begin Jan. 25 and are
generally held weeknights from 6:30 to
8:45 p.m. A schedule will be available for
perusal at the audition.
Heard stresses that performing in these
productions is a big commitment.
“Performing in one of our shows is very
hard work and requires dedication, but
when the curtain opens in April, we know
you will agree that it was worth it,” Heard
says.
For a casting breakdown and more
information, visit www.crowkids.com, or
contact Heard at 541-999-8641 or by
email at crowtheatrekids@yahoo.com.