Hidden - The Story of Anne Frank
at Sunny Hills

Reviewed on February 18, 2016

Miranda Wolford
SOCSA Dana Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Hope alive in Sunny Hills 'Hidden'

In the midst of a war brimming with brutality and utterly devoid of humanity, hope appears inevitably lost and dignity seems to be a feeling of the past. Sunny Hills High School's rendition of "Hidden," a play based on the writings of Anne Frank (MacKenzie Elliott) and on those of her protector Miep Gies (Bailey Shea), proves otherwise.

Seeking refuge from persecution by the Nazis in a time when hatred runs rampant, the Frank family, joined by the VanDaans and Dr. Dussel (Ryan Hanson), holes up in the cramped annex of their office to begin their extended stay, hidden away from the public eye. In a time when a suspicious knock on their concealed door could mean death or imprisonment, tensions run high, but even so, hope remains.

Chronicling her sentiments and youthful ponderings in her weathered journal, Anne Frank is a ray of sunshine in an otherwise dark and dreary situation, uplifting those around her with every flip of her hair and untimely giggle. Yet, as time progresses, she adapts to the more solemn circumstances, adopting an air of wisdom far beyond normal expectations of a lively teenage girl.

Contrasting Frank's confident charisma with his own awkward attributes, Peter VanDaan (Marcus Reveles), the lone teenage boy in the annex, nervously meanders through each predicament in the story, whether it be reading a banned book or developing a boyish infatuation with Anne. However, the true grit of his character shines through as he confesses his love for Anne and willingly places himself in danger to protect her, adding an element of forbidden love to this tragedy.

Miep Giese (Bailey Shea) stands in the midst of the endless chaos as an emotional constant. Standing steadfast in her righteous beliefs and will to help her Jewish friends, she remains poignant, even in the face of impending danger.

Flooding the stage in a cascading river of warmth, lighting created by designers Maddy Githens, Tessa Githens and Bailey Shea implements a softer mood in stark contrast to the dark times, keeping the hope of the play alive.

As an ensemble, the shared efforts of the technical crew and the cast display a profound maturity far beyond their years, tackling astonishingly heart-wrenching content with ease.

Hope can be pummeled, beaten, crammed into an annex, forced to give up its dignity, but never lost, as proven in Sunny Hills's "Hidden."

Miranda Wolford
SOCSA Dana Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Hope alive in Sunny Hills 'Hidden'

In the midst of a war brimming with brutality and utterly devoid of humanity, hope appears inevitably lost and dignity seems to be a feeling of the past. Sunny Hills High School's rendition of "Hidden," a play based on the writings of Anne Frank (MacKenzie Elliott) and on those of her protector Miep Gies (Bailey Shea), proves otherwise.

Seeking refuge from persecution by the Nazis in a time when hatred runs rampant, the Frank family, joined by the VanDaans and Dr. Dussel (Ryan Hanson), holes up in the cramped annex of their office to begin their extended stay, hidden away from the public eye. In a time when a suspicious knock on their concealed door could mean death or imprisonment, tensions run high, but even so, hope remains.

Chronicling her sentiments and youthful ponderings in her weathered journal, Anne Frank is a ray of sunshine in an otherwise dark and dreary situation, uplifting those around her with every flip of her hair and untimely giggle. Yet, as time progresses, she adapts to the more solemn circumstances, adopting an air of wisdom far beyond normal expectations of a lively teenage girl.

Contrasting Frank's confident charisma with his own awkward attributes, Peter VanDaan (Marcus Reveles), the lone teenage boy in the annex, nervously meanders through each predicament in the story, whether it be reading a banned book or developing a boyish infatuation with Anne. However, the true grit of his character shines through as he confesses his love for Anne and willingly places himself in danger to protect her, adding an element of forbidden love to this tragedy.

Miep Giese (Bailey Shea) stands in the midst of the endless chaos as an emotional constant. Standing steadfast in her righteous beliefs and will to help her Jewish friends, she remains poignant, even in the face of impending danger.

Flooding the stage in a cascading river of warmth, lighting created by designers Maddy Githens, Tessa Githens and Bailey Shea implements a softer mood in stark contrast to the dark times, keeping the hope of the play alive.

As an ensemble, the shared efforts of the technical crew and the cast display a profound maturity far beyond their years, tackling astonishingly heart-wrenching content with ease.

Hope can be pummeled, beaten, crammed into an annex, forced to give up its dignity, but never lost, as proven in Sunny Hills's "Hidden."

Katya Beener
Fullerton Union
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Sunny Hills' "Hidden" leaves a lasting impact

With strong acting and technical elements, Sunny Hills High School delivers an unforgettable performance illustrating the life of Anne Frank and her family. The story follows the Frank family as they hide from the German government in an annex above a warehouse. It illustrates the struggles of the inhabitants and what happens after they are found and taken to camps.

MacKenzie Elliot as Anne shows a complex and developed character. Stomping around when upset and using high vocal inflections, then stumbling to her knees with a weak voice, Elliot creates a clear contrast between when she is a child and when she has been in a concentration camp for some time. With shy glances and a timid walk, Marcus Reveles, as Peter, provides a great character foil. As he begins to grow comfortable with Anne, he shows more facial expressions and uses more grandiose gestures.

Emmanuel Madera as Otto creates an authentic character, taking the role of a fun dad as well as a mature parent and mediator. Madera gives a moving performance in the final scene making clear the horrors his character has seen and the pain that losing his family inflicts. Bailey Shea as Miep also gives a strong performance, showing clear shifts between narrating and participating as a character within scenes.

With bright colors for Anne, who has a bright personality, and less eccentric colors for more mature characters, the costumes reflect the characters' development.

The thrust stage and minimal set pieces, designed by Andraya Eisenman, provide an intimate experience for the audience, making them feel as if they were in the annex with the characters.

The lighting, designed by Tessa Githens, Maddy Githens and Bailey Shea, clearly isolates scenes and directs the audience members' eyes to important areas on stage. The technical elements greatly enhance the show and support the performers.

The combined efforts of the Sunny Hills High School cast and crew create a show that helps the audience understand the struggles of the families that were stuck in the annex and the pain of the aftermath.

Katya Beener
Fullerton Union
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Sunny Hills' "Hidden" leaves a lasting impact

With strong acting and technical elements, Sunny Hills High School delivers an unforgettable performance illustrating the life of Anne Frank and her family. The story follows the Frank family as they hide from the German government in an annex above a warehouse. It illustrates the struggles of the inhabitants and what happens after they are found and taken to camps.

MacKenzie Elliot as Anne shows a complex and developed character. Stomping around when upset and using high vocal inflections, then stumbling to her knees with a weak voice, Elliot creates a clear contrast between when she is a child and when she has been in a concentration camp for some time. With shy glances and a timid walk, Marcus Reveles, as Peter, provides a great character foil. As he begins to grow comfortable with Anne, he shows more facial expressions and uses more grandiose gestures.

Emmanuel Madera as Otto creates an authentic character, taking the role of a fun dad as well as a mature parent and mediator. Madera gives a moving performance in the final scene making clear the horrors his character has seen and the pain that losing his family inflicts. Bailey Shea as Miep also gives a strong performance, showing clear shifts between narrating and participating as a character within scenes.

With bright colors for Anne, who has a bright personality, and less eccentric colors for more mature characters, the costumes reflect the characters' development.

The thrust stage and minimal set pieces, designed by Andraya Eisenman, provide an intimate experience for the audience, making them feel as if they were in the annex with the characters.

The lighting, designed by Tessa Githens, Maddy Githens and Bailey Shea, clearly isolates scenes and directs the audience members' eyes to important areas on stage. The technical elements greatly enhance the show and support the performers.

The combined efforts of the Sunny Hills High School cast and crew create a show that helps the audience understand the struggles of the families that were stuck in the annex and the pain of the aftermath.

Kiersten Rummell
Orange Lutheran
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Hidden Talent Found At Sunny Hills High School

With passionate characters and moments that draw in the audience, Sunny Hills High School brings the work of Paul Beidler to a whole new level in their captivating adaptation of Hidden: The Story of Anne Frank.

The play follows the Frank family's journey evading the Nazis. Concealed in Miep Gies annex, the family, alongside the VanDaan's, learns to live life hidden.

Sunny Hills High School's production is anchored by the performances brought forth by the 15-person cast. Every student, whether behind the scenes or in the spotlight, contributes to the success of the show and helps convey the compelling story that is Hidden: The Story of Anne Frank.

Many of Hidden's concentrated characters are brought to life through the talent and fearlessness of the cast and crew. Anne Frank, played by the exceptional Mackenzie Elliot, performs this dramatic role with a youthful spirit and a rising maturity. Her voice inflection and emotional attachment to the character are noticeably illustrated throughout the entirety of the show. Bailey Shea as Miep Gies becomes a clear translator for the emotions and context of the vast story confined to an annex. Peter VanDaan portrayed by Marcus Reveles, expresses a captivating vulnerability that softens the competing attitudes of the surrounding characters.

The whole cast exhibits genuine commitment to their roles through their intense displays of emotion and riveting performances. Some stand-out supporting actors include Ryan Hanson as Dr. Dussel, for his consistent accent and dedication to his role; Emmanuel Madera as Otto Frank, for his compelling fatherly nature and display of heart-wrenching emotions, and John Kay for his bold portrayal of Mr. VanDaan.

Unique sets, detailed props, time-period authentic costumes, and contrasting make-up are just some of the many technical aspects, created by students, which heighten the level of success for their production. The entrance to the stage begins with a simple bookcase followed by steep steps leading to the seats. The thrust style stage creates a cramped atmosphere for the audience, which parallels the close-quarters of the annex. These creative sets and props enhance the atmosphere and personal connection to the performance.

Sunny Hills High School's adaptation of Hidden: The Story of Anne Frank is an emotional experience that truly captivates all audiences.

Kiersten Rummell
Orange Lutheran
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Hidden Talent Found At Sunny Hills High School

With passionate characters and moments that draw in the audience, Sunny Hills High School brings the work of Paul Beidler to a whole new level in their captivating adaptation of Hidden: The Story of Anne Frank.

The play follows the Frank family's journey evading the Nazis. Concealed in Miep Gies annex, the family, alongside the VanDaan's, learns to live life hidden.

Sunny Hills High School's production is anchored by the performances brought forth by the 15-person cast. Every student, whether behind the scenes or in the spotlight, contributes to the success of the show and helps convey the compelling story that is Hidden: The Story of Anne Frank.

Many of Hidden's concentrated characters are brought to life through the talent and fearlessness of the cast and crew. Anne Frank, played by the exceptional Mackenzie Elliot, performs this dramatic role with a youthful spirit and a rising maturity. Her voice inflection and emotional attachment to the character are noticeably illustrated throughout the entirety of the show. Bailey Shea as Miep Gies becomes a clear translator for the emotions and context of the vast story confined to an annex. Peter VanDaan portrayed by Marcus Reveles, expresses a captivating vulnerability that softens the competing attitudes of the surrounding characters.

The whole cast exhibits genuine commitment to their roles through their intense displays of emotion and riveting performances. Some stand-out supporting actors include Ryan Hanson as Dr. Dussel, for his consistent accent and dedication to his role; Emmanuel Madera as Otto Frank, for his compelling fatherly nature and display of heart-wrenching emotions, and John Kay for his bold portrayal of Mr. VanDaan.

Unique sets, detailed props, time-period authentic costumes, and contrasting make-up are just some of the many technical aspects, created by students, which heighten the level of success for their production. The entrance to the stage begins with a simple bookcase followed by steep steps leading to the seats. The thrust style stage creates a cramped atmosphere for the audience, which parallels the close-quarters of the annex. These creative sets and props enhance the atmosphere and personal connection to the performance.

Sunny Hills High School's adaptation of Hidden: The Story of Anne Frank is an emotional experience that truly captivates all audiences.