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For more information contact mark.a.kinders@uwrf.edu or brenda.k.bredahl@uwrf.edu.

Anne Frank Cast List Announced

By Meghan Dusek
MARCH 30, 2007--The upcoming UW-River Falls production of "The Diary of Anne Frank" tells the universal story of struggling to grow from adolescent to adult--but in more oppressive circumstances than most people are used to.

"I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us too," Anne wrote in her diary. "I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that this cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more."

Theater Professor Meg Swanson directs the production. As part of the reading list for Wisconsin eighth graders, "The Diary of Anne Frank" is an especially relevant piece of literature to help young minds grasp the scope of WWII, as viewed from someone close to their own age.

"Performing this piece provides an excellent opportunity for us to provide a public service for young people by doing middle school matinee performances that will enrich their understanding of the material that they read and give them a chance to experience live theatre," says Swanson. "It is a great group who are making a strong commitment to telling this story."

Students from the College of Education and Professional Studies will facilitate discussions after the performances to enhance understanding.

"What the play attempts to do is to create a portrait of a complex set of individuals trying to get along under circumstances of exceptional stress," says Swanson. "It shows us young people trying to become adults without ever being able to get away from their families. It shows sibling rivalries, romantic fantasies, gender disputes...the whole raft of human experience."

"The Diary of Anne Frank" runs from April 13-14 and 19-21. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. in the Blanche Davis Theatre of Kleinpell Fine Arts Building. Tickets are $7, with a student and senior discounted price of $5. The box office is open one week before first performance 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday and one hour before each performance. For more information or season ticket information contact the box office at 715-425-3114 or 800-228-5423 or visit www.uwrf.edu/scta.

Photo: L to R: Greg Lund of Woodville, Wis., as Peter Van Daan, Darcy Bakkegard of Hager City, Wis., as Petronella Van Daan, and Kristy Reid of Waconia, Minn. as Anne Frank.

The cast includes:
Anne Frank: Kristy Reid, Waconia, Minn.
Otto Frank: Mark Bergen, Shakopee, Minn.
Edith Frank: Rachel Hafele, Forest Lake, Minn.
Margot Frank: Kelsey Anderson, Esko, Minn.
Peter van Daan: Gred Lund, Woodville, Wis.
Petronella van Daan: Darcy Bakkegard, Hager City, Wis.
Hermann van Daan: Justin DeLong, River Falls, Wis.
Mr. Dussel: Kai Abrahamson, New Richmond, Wis.
Miep: Sylvia Wadzinski, Tomahawk, Wis.
Mr. Kraler: Marc Berg, Rosemount, Minn.
Nazi Officer: Eric Douglas, Rosemount, Minn.
First Nazi Soldier: Ben Tatro, Stillwater, Minn.
Second Nazi Soldier: Brian Bishop, Lodi, Minn.

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