New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


PHOTOS from "The Diary of Anne Frank" in Holmdel


By John Posada

originally published: 04/15/2023

(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- The Diary of Anne Frank has captivated readers around the world for decades, and now, audiences in Holmdel have the chance to experience the powerful story in a new theatrical production. The Holmdel Theatre Company production is directed by Amy Jones and runs weekends from Saturday, April 15th to Sunday, April 30th. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

Based on the real-life journal of a young girl who lived in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, the play (by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, in a new adaptation by Wendy Kesselman) brings to life the experiences of Anne Frank and her family as they struggle to survive in a cramped attic space for years. The production explores themes of isolation, fear, and hope, as well as the enduring power of the human spirit in even the darkest of times.

Each day of these two dark years, Anne's voice shines through: "When I write, I shake off all my cares. But I want to achieve more than that. I want to be useful and bring enjoyment to all people, even those I've never met. I want to go on living even after my death!" This is a new adaptation for a new generation.

The cast includes Katie Bauer (Anne Frank), Sandy Nolan (Otto Frank), Stephanie Long (Edith Frank), Gabriela Postigo (Margot Frank), Felicia Russell (Miep Gies), Bryan Reimertz (Peter Van Daan), Lori Cortese-Buckheit (Mrs. Van Daan), Jesse Luciani (Mr. Van Daan), Mike Vails (Mr. Kraler), Bryan Ponemon (Mr. Dussel), Jesse Luciani (Mr. Van Daan), Steve Lukawski (Nazi Officer), Justin Piehler (Dutch Collaborator #1, and Cooper Bilsland (Dutch Collaborator #2).

The production also features stunning set design by Jefferson Ridenour and costumes by Jacquie Revier, which transport audiences back to the Amsterdam of the 1940s.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



“We are thrilled to be bringing this powerful story to life on stage,” said director, Amy Jones. “The Diary of Anne Frank has been read by millions of people around the world, but there’s nothing quite like experiencing the story as a live performance. We hope that audiences will be moved and inspired by this production, and that it will encourage them to reflect on the importance of compassion, empathy, and resilience in the face of adversity.”

Performances take place Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 8:00pm; and Sundays at 2:00pm. Tickets for the production are available now at www.holmdeltheatrecompany.org. Performances take place at 36 Crawfords Corner Road in Holmdel, New Jersey.

Here are more photos from the production.

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. For more than 15 years, John has photographed live events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions. Currently, John has spent the last 3 years concentrating on photographing almost 200 theatre productions for over 70 different theatres. Click here for John's website.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info


FEATURED EVENTS

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


The

The Vagina Monologues

Thursday, February 13, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

A

A Bronx Tale: The One Man Show Starring Chazz Palminteri

Thursday, February 13, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: theatre


 

Dunbar

Dunbar Repertory Company Presents "Two Trains Running"

Friday, February 14, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

Catching

Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream

Friday, February 14, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Historic Palace Theatre
7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
category: theatre


 

The

The Vagina Monologues

Friday, February 14, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





 

EVENT PREVIEWS

American

American Theater Group presents "Purlie"

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Broadway veteran Kenny Ingram will direct American Theater Group's (ATG) production of the exhilarating and Tony Award-winning musical Purlie, running March 6-23, 2025, at Hamilton Stage in Rahway. Gary Mitchell, Jr. will provide Musical Direction. Purlie is the 1970 musical adaptation of Ossie Davis's comedic play Purlie Victorious, which just completed a hugely successful revival on Broadway last season.



Bordentown

Bordentown Regional High School presents hilarious musical "Curtains"

(BORDENTOWN, NJ) -- The musical comedy murder mystery Curtains: School Edition, with music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and a witty, charming book by Rupert Holmes, will be presented February 21-22, 2025 at the Bordentown Performing Arts Center by the award-winning theatre students of Bordentown Regional High School.



Gateway

Gateway Playhouse to Showcase All of The Bard's Plays in "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare..."

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse will showcase all of William Shakespeare's 37 plays – in just 95 minutes – in the hilarious "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged/Revised/Again)" by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, who originally created the show for the Edinburgh Theater Fest in 1987. Since then, it has toured the world over, delighting audiences, whether connoisseurs of The Bard or perhaps barely remember one play from high school. This delightful show comes to the Gateway for one weekend only, March 7-9, 2025.



Kelsey

Kelsey Theatre to Host Staged Reading, with Orchestra, of New Musical by Lou DiPietro

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Kelsey Theatre, on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College (MCCC), will host a one-night only staged reading—complete with a nine-piece orchestra—of the inspiring new musical "It's Never Too Late," presented by Theater to Go on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 7:30pm.



Dover

Dover Little Theatre presents "Misery" – A Thrilling Stage Adaptation of Stephen King's Classic Novel

(DOVER, NJ) -- Dover Little Theatre is thrilled to present Misery. Directed by Angel Fajardo, this production will captivate audiences with its intense performances, twisting plot, and psychological tension. Performances run weekends from February 21 to March 2, 2025.