FL
O
RE
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The Diary of
Anne Frank
La st R es o r t
P la y er s r e t e l l
c l a ss i c s t o ry
o n st a g e
Cast of “The Diary of Anne Frank,”
which opens April 22 in Florence.
COURTESY PHOTOS
he latest produc-
tion of “The
Diary of Anne
Frank,” being
produced by Florence’s Last
Resort Players, is a retelling
of the well-known play based
on Anne Frank’s diary, which
was reclaimed by her father,
Otto Frank, when he returned
to the Annex following the
end of World War II.
T
Otto Frank was the final survivor of
the families that had hidden there. He
released some but not all of the writings
in the diary, as he thought some of the
reflections she wrote about might offend
8 • C OAST
the tenants of the annex, particularly
Anne’s opposition to her mother, which
he felt didn’t honor their memory.
Those newly released writings and sur-
vivor accounts have been interwoven into
a powerful, intimate adaptation of Anne
Frank’s story.
Audience members find themselves
going back in time as cast members enter
an era where human moral is shattered
by horrific changes. But, somewhere in a
small annex a little girl finds the courage
to survive.
During two years of hiding, Anne
Frank records daily activities and conver-
sations with wit and astonishing honesty.
The audience learns through a mature 13-
year-old that the human heart truly can
defeat the fear of death.
In this drama, the Last Resort Players
(LRP) invites the audience to witness
what life may have been like for the
Frank family — living a claustrophobic
existence together, with eight people try-
ing to contain their fear of what is to
C ENTRAL • A rt s & E n t e r ta in me n t • A PR IL 2 0 1 6
come, as well as grief for what was lost.
And, hope for a peace that allows them
to return to their ordinary lives.
History plays out in front of the audi-
ence in this adaptation for those who
know the story well, and for a new gen-
eration that has yet to understand the gift
of what Anne Frank gave to humanity
through her diary.
LRP is introducing three young actors
to the stage for the upcoming production
of Anne Frank.
Memphis Gliewe will play the leading
role of Anne Frank. Memphis is a talent-
ed eighth grader who attends Siuslaw
Middle School. She has been involved in
several LRP productions, including “Our
Town.”
Gliewe is also actively involved in
Indian Education, and plays the trumpet
in band. Her character in Anne Frank
explores deep, intimate emotions
throughout the play, and she is said to
capture those moments with maturity and
skill.
Brooklyn Cahoon is taking on the role
of Margot Frank, Anne’s older sister.
Cahoon is also an eighth grader at
Siuslaw Middle School and in her first
role for LRP. Cahoon spends her extra
time volunteering in her local church to
help teach children. The young actress
also loves playing guitar and singing all
genres of music.
Cahoon says she enjoys the learning
process of theater and the opportunity to
stretch herself beyond her shy comfort
zone.
Kyle Hight plays Peter Van Daan. His
character in “Anne Frank” is shy, quiet
and clumsy, but Hight couldn’t be further
from those traits off stage.
A freshman at Siuslaw High School,
Hight is an active, well-spoken and sure-
footed student. He is active in his com-
munity and loves hanging out with
friends, listening to music and playing
video games.
See
ANNE page 9