GCHS Masquers In The Diary of Anne Frank

The group in hiding gathers to celebrate Hanukkah.

The Garden City High School Masquers' fall presentation, The Diary of Anne Frank, featured Anna Morreale as Anne, Gabe Mollica as Anne's father Otto, Allie Peck as Anne's mother Edith, and Jennifer Yoo as Anne's sister Margot.

The famous story of Anne, who kept a diary while she and her family hid from the Nazi's during World War II, is a coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of catastrophic world events. It chronicles the lives of the Franks and their companions-in-hiding from June 12, 1942, when Anne received a diary as a gift from her father, until August 1, 1944, the day of Anne's last entry.

The production also featured Caitlin Crowley as Miep and Nolan Wilder as Mr. Kraler, who helped to hide the family. Others hiding with the Franks were played by Maggie H. Tittler, Christopher Burchei, Beau Lardner, and Dan Dougherty. Joseph Boccia, as a burglar, and James Akel, Garret Imbrenda, Ryan Johnston, and Nicholas Pitman, as soldiers who arrested the group, rounded out the cast.

Miep brings news of outside events to Margot.

Ashley Galligan stage managed the production with assistant stage manager Brittany Rotella. Jeanne Kennedy directed with Rebecca Levine as assistant director. Kathryn Parathyras was the production assistant. The play was produced by Stephen Mayo with technical direction provided by Brandon Psenicka.

Melissa Johnston, Emily Monaghan, Allison Rose, Danielle Saltiel, and Tara Stephens provided costumes; Elizabeth Debold and Nicholas Pitman worked the lights, and Alison Heuser handled sound. Andrea Boccia, Allyson Maclay, and Kaitlin Seiferth were responsible for props.

Other crew members included Aaron Aniton, Andrea Boccia, Pat Conboy, Kacie Flynn, Bobby Heineman, Ryan Johnston, Andrew Kuruc, Gary Malfa, Katie Masters, Tori McDonough, Samantha McHugh, Meghan Murphy, Fara Muscarella, Melissa Nazar, Micaela Pascale, Tony Pittella, Brian Plaut, Conor Schmid, Caroline Seitz, Kevin Shulman, Dylan Silk, Brittany Stein, Matt Storz, Dayna Stropkay, Suzanne Tomitz, Michele Velez, and Emily Westermann.

Margot comforts her mother. Joseph Boccia, James Akel, Garrett Imbrenda, Ryan Johnston and Nicholas Pitman take a bow. Mrs. Van Daan and Mrs. Frank pass the time in their attic hiding place. Anne confides in her father. Tensions rise between Peter Van Daan, played by Beau Lardner, and his mother, played by Maggie H. Tittler. Miep, Otto, and Mr. Kraler unite and reminisce in the aftermath of war.