The Diary of Anne Frank
at Los Alamitos High School

Reviewed on November 14, 2013

Jason Marrs
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cappies review: "The Diary of Anne Frank"
Los Alamitos Shows Strength in "Diary of Anne Frank"

By JASON MARRS
For the Orange County Register

Jason Marrs is a Junior at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo.


It is 1945 when the lights come up on a dimly lit attic as the gaunt figure of Otto Frank shuffles onto the stage. Upon discovering his lost daughter's diary, we are transported two years into the past, where the Frank family's gripping account of endurance unfolds before us in Los Alamito's poignant production of, "The Diary of Anne Frank".

The plot centers on the Frank family's harrowing journey and their interactions with other members of the cramped Amsterdam Annex. Struggling with loss, love, and identity, Anne Frank (Bianca Pompa) chronicles her lingering hope as the looming Nazi invasion descends upon Amsterdam, inciting moments of fierce tension and uplifting compassion in Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett's play.

Pompa bounds about the onstage in flurries of youthful energy. Displaying Anne's childish nature, Pompa sticks her tongue out as she scribbles contemplatively before dashing off. Mr. Frank (Ryan Rogers) exudes fatherly empathy in his relationship with Anne, tenderly soothing her following a nightmare or dancing with her when no one else will. Contrastingly, Mr. Van Daan (Travis Baker) struts with haughty disdain, his contemptuous facial expressions epitomizing his condescension. Mrs. Frank (Nikki Law) clearly manifests a sense of assertive protection after months of motherly discretion, especially when she harangues Mr. Van Daan for his insufferable food theft.

Margot Frank (Stella Thermos) is quiet and complacent, criticizing Anne's brashness while sitting unobtrusively in the background. Mr. Dussel (Keith Ahlstrom) contrasts Anne with his sassy, biting sarcasm and hilarious one-liners. The Nazi ensemble is particularly ominous, barking authoritatively in German while trashing the annex. Together, the cast remains life-like in their presence. The relationships are vivid and cast members remain ever occupied with various duties in the annex.

The tech is very natural in design. Students impeccably create a stuffy attic space using old wooden planks and period costumes faded from their initial vibrancy to blander pastels as threat closes in on the characters. The lighting combines this ordinary use of lamps to pool light while artistically bouncing blues and purples to indicate darkness, or blazing lights through the cracks to signify the haunting approach of the Gestapo.

The dramatic journey through self-actualization, anxious paranoia, and the power of endurance is as empowering as it is heart-wrenching, in Los Alamitos' powerful production, "The Diary of Anne Frank."

Jason Marrs
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cappies review: "The Diary of Anne Frank"
Los Alamitos Shows Strength in "Diary of Anne Frank"

By JASON MARRS
For the Orange County Register

Jason Marrs is a Junior at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo.


It is 1945 when the lights come up on a dimly lit attic as the gaunt figure of Otto Frank shuffles onto the stage. Upon discovering his lost daughter's diary, we are transported two years into the past, where the Frank family's gripping account of endurance unfolds before us in Los Alamito's poignant production of, "The Diary of Anne Frank".

The plot centers on the Frank family's harrowing journey and their interactions with other members of the cramped Amsterdam Annex. Struggling with loss, love, and identity, Anne Frank (Bianca Pompa) chronicles her lingering hope as the looming Nazi invasion descends upon Amsterdam, inciting moments of fierce tension and uplifting compassion in Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett's play.

Pompa bounds about the onstage in flurries of youthful energy. Displaying Anne's childish nature, Pompa sticks her tongue out as she scribbles contemplatively before dashing off. Mr. Frank (Ryan Rogers) exudes fatherly empathy in his relationship with Anne, tenderly soothing her following a nightmare or dancing with her when no one else will. Contrastingly, Mr. Van Daan (Travis Baker) struts with haughty disdain, his contemptuous facial expressions epitomizing his condescension. Mrs. Frank (Nikki Law) clearly manifests a sense of assertive protection after months of motherly discretion, especially when she harangues Mr. Van Daan for his insufferable food theft.

Margot Frank (Stella Thermos) is quiet and complacent, criticizing Anne's brashness while sitting unobtrusively in the background. Mr. Dussel (Keith Ahlstrom) contrasts Anne with his sassy, biting sarcasm and hilarious one-liners. The Nazi ensemble is particularly ominous, barking authoritatively in German while trashing the annex. Together, the cast remains life-like in their presence. The relationships are vivid and cast members remain ever occupied with various duties in the annex.

The tech is very natural in design. Students impeccably create a stuffy attic space using old wooden planks and period costumes faded from their initial vibrancy to blander pastels as threat closes in on the characters. The lighting combines this ordinary use of lamps to pool light while artistically bouncing blues and purples to indicate darkness, or blazing lights through the cracks to signify the haunting approach of the Gestapo.

The dramatic journey through self-actualization, anxious paranoia, and the power of endurance is as empowering as it is heart-wrenching, in Los Alamitos' powerful production, "The Diary of Anne Frank."

JeanneAnn Faris
Santa Margarita Catholic
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cappies review: "The Diary of Anne Frank"
The Diary of Anne Frank" at Los Alamitos Inspires

By JEANNEANN FARIS
For the Orange County Register

JeanneAnn Faris is a Junior at Santa Margarita Catholic in Rancho Santa Margarita.


The story of Anne Frank and her legacy held in the diary she kept while in hiding during World War II is highly regarded because of her forgiving disposition despite her persecution. In this play adaptation of her story, a tale of the lives of her family and friends in their annex is presented in order to deliver the message of maltreatment so we may be more understanding of the world they lived in and the injustices they faced.

Bianca Pompa brings to life the youthful nature of Anne Frank, the young girl with so much heart. Whether she's raising her chin as she pretends to be a lady, or overtaken by fear as she desperately hides under the covers and lets out an earth-shattering scream during one of her nightmares, Pompa truly captures the energy and vivacity of Anne Frank. Mr. Frank (Ryan Rogers) displays stirring emotion through his eyes as he approaches the annex and relives the story of their lives, paying great attention to each of his movements as he clenches Anne's diary or soothes his wife with an impenetrable embrace. Mrs. Frank (Nikki Law) demonstrates a wide range of emotion from comforting Anne during her nightmare to lashing out when under high pressure. Law unequivocally embodies the role of the wife and the frustration that comes with the tension-filled motherly relationship between her and Anne. With a demanding presence and clear, robust voice, Mr. Van Daan (Travis Baker) impresses with his ability to break down as a result of elevated stress or relentlessly argue with his wife Mrs. Van Daan (Moira Scott).

The lighting design (Jasmine Menendez) flawlessly aids in the portrayal of the story as it moves the focus seamlessly to each part of the set, involves the creative use of lamplight, and heightens the intensity through the incredible effect of light seeping through the wooden slats of the set at the culmination of the play. The sound design (Travis Baker, Ryan Rogers) proves very effective with the creation of several original compositions of music played behind narrations of Anne's diary.

The story of Anne Frank and those who lived with her in the annex is brought to life by this production, continuing the legacy of a girl who, in spite of her persecution, saw the goodness in everyone.

JeanneAnn Faris
Santa Margarita Catholic
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cappies review: "The Diary of Anne Frank"
The Diary of Anne Frank" at Los Alamitos Inspires

By JEANNEANN FARIS
For the Orange County Register

JeanneAnn Faris is a Junior at Santa Margarita Catholic in Rancho Santa Margarita.


The story of Anne Frank and her legacy held in the diary she kept while in hiding during World War II is highly regarded because of her forgiving disposition despite her persecution. In this play adaptation of her story, a tale of the lives of her family and friends in their annex is presented in order to deliver the message of maltreatment so we may be more understanding of the world they lived in and the injustices they faced.

Bianca Pompa brings to life the youthful nature of Anne Frank, the young girl with so much heart. Whether she's raising her chin as she pretends to be a lady, or overtaken by fear as she desperately hides under the covers and lets out an earth-shattering scream during one of her nightmares, Pompa truly captures the energy and vivacity of Anne Frank. Mr. Frank (Ryan Rogers) displays stirring emotion through his eyes as he approaches the annex and relives the story of their lives, paying great attention to each of his movements as he clenches Anne's diary or soothes his wife with an impenetrable embrace. Mrs. Frank (Nikki Law) demonstrates a wide range of emotion from comforting Anne during her nightmare to lashing out when under high pressure. Law unequivocally embodies the role of the wife and the frustration that comes with the tension-filled motherly relationship between her and Anne. With a demanding presence and clear, robust voice, Mr. Van Daan (Travis Baker) impresses with his ability to break down as a result of elevated stress or relentlessly argue with his wife Mrs. Van Daan (Moira Scott).

The lighting design (Jasmine Menendez) flawlessly aids in the portrayal of the story as it moves the focus seamlessly to each part of the set, involves the creative use of lamplight, and heightens the intensity through the incredible effect of light seeping through the wooden slats of the set at the culmination of the play. The sound design (Travis Baker, Ryan Rogers) proves very effective with the creation of several original compositions of music played behind narrations of Anne's diary.

The story of Anne Frank and those who lived with her in the annex is brought to life by this production, continuing the legacy of a girl who, in spite of her persecution, saw the goodness in everyone.

Courtney Mauss
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Cappies review: "The Diary of Anne Frank"
Frankly, Los Al's "Anne Frank" Amazes

By COURTNEY MAUSS
For CAPPIES

Courtney Mauss is a Junior at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo.


Based on the real life interactions of two Jewish families Amsterdam during World War II,"The Diary of Anne Frank" follows a young girl and the struggles she faces coming of age in a world pitted against her, and leading to misfortune and tragedy for the families.

The believably young Anne (Bianca Pompa) is energetic and hopeful, manifested through physicality and body language. Even in the darkest of times, she helps her family and keeps them light-hearted. Her father, Mr. Frank(Ryan Rogers), works well with his darling daughter Anne and forms a unique bond between the two - especially in a scene which depicts Mr. Frank comforting Anne after a nightmare.

Mrs. Frank (Nikki Law), even down to her smallest movements, manifests the demeanor of a loving, yet scared, mother. Her other daughter, Margot (Stella Thermos), is bookish and meek, and together are the peace keepers of the annex.

The Van Daan family is a comic endeavor all of its own. Mr. Van Daan (Travis Baker), a rudely expressive man, and his wife,(Moira Scott) an overbearing woman with an almost-comic attachment to a fur coat, hysterically battle each other and the others in the annex with vigor and entitlement. Their son Peter (Evan Cusato) is the "sane" one in the family, and his tender relationship with Anne makes the audience feel giddy when they are together.

Slight lapses of energy seem to prolong the show, but with such heavy material, one can not blame the actors for maintaining a serious nature.

The set and props transport you to a world entirely of the Franks. Composed of varying planks of wood, the set emphasizes the cramped and uncomfortable environment of the families. Props, down to the smallest details, were accurate and fitting, depicting the leftovers and sometimes-poor quality items that the characters received. Having real food for the actors to eat, cigarettes that blow smoke, and a realistic replica of Anne's diary brings an almost frightening aspect of realism.

Lighting (Jasmine Menendez) depicts the dark world of the Franks and contrasts them with the world of the Nazis, especially with bright, sharp backlighting of supposed headlights and flashlights just before the families are discovered.

Together, the actors and the technical aspects welcome you to the frighteningly real world of Anne in this unfortunate era of human history.

Courtney Mauss
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Cappies review: "The Diary of Anne Frank"
Frankly, Los Al's "Anne Frank" Amazes

By COURTNEY MAUSS
For CAPPIES

Courtney Mauss is a Junior at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo.


Based on the real life interactions of two Jewish families Amsterdam during World War II,"The Diary of Anne Frank" follows a young girl and the struggles she faces coming of age in a world pitted against her, and leading to misfortune and tragedy for the families.

The believably young Anne (Bianca Pompa) is energetic and hopeful, manifested through physicality and body language. Even in the darkest of times, she helps her family and keeps them light-hearted. Her father, Mr. Frank(Ryan Rogers), works well with his darling daughter Anne and forms a unique bond between the two - especially in a scene which depicts Mr. Frank comforting Anne after a nightmare.

Mrs. Frank (Nikki Law), even down to her smallest movements, manifests the demeanor of a loving, yet scared, mother. Her other daughter, Margot (Stella Thermos), is bookish and meek, and together are the peace keepers of the annex.

The Van Daan family is a comic endeavor all of its own. Mr. Van Daan (Travis Baker), a rudely expressive man, and his wife,(Moira Scott) an overbearing woman with an almost-comic attachment to a fur coat, hysterically battle each other and the others in the annex with vigor and entitlement. Their son Peter (Evan Cusato) is the "sane" one in the family, and his tender relationship with Anne makes the audience feel giddy when they are together.

Slight lapses of energy seem to prolong the show, but with such heavy material, one can not blame the actors for maintaining a serious nature.

The set and props transport you to a world entirely of the Franks. Composed of varying planks of wood, the set emphasizes the cramped and uncomfortable environment of the families. Props, down to the smallest details, were accurate and fitting, depicting the leftovers and sometimes-poor quality items that the characters received. Having real food for the actors to eat, cigarettes that blow smoke, and a realistic replica of Anne's diary brings an almost frightening aspect of realism.

Lighting (Jasmine Menendez) depicts the dark world of the Franks and contrasts them with the world of the Nazis, especially with bright, sharp backlighting of supposed headlights and flashlights just before the families are discovered.

Together, the actors and the technical aspects welcome you to the frighteningly real world of Anne in this unfortunate era of human history.