Old Colony Players Tackle Timeless Tale Amidst Rising Antisemitism

The Waldensians founded Valdese after enduring centuries of persecution in Europe. Their strength and perseverance make it all the more appropriate for the town’s theatre company, Old Colony Players, to stage a production of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” 

“The Diary of Anne Frank” will be presented March 7-9 and 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. in Pioneer Hall at Waldensian Presbyterian Church. 

Today’s geopolitical landscape makes the play as relevant today as any time in history. According to the Anti-Defamation League, this country has seen a more than 300% increase in antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. Similar increases are seen globally. 

The timing of the play is purely coincidental, however, said Edyth Potter, general manager of Old Colony Players. The play was selected nearly a year ago. 

“We look for a well-rounded season, something that will appeal to every type of person,” she said. “We want to include one show that makes people think.”

This play certainly hits that mark.

“You are coming to a live show to have an experience,” said Tiffany Christian, the show’s director. “I want the audience to walk out so disrupted that they have to take time to process what they have just seen.”

Where the play is being staged will help in that endeavor. Originally scheduled for the Waldensian Room at Old Rock School, the venue changed due to the school’s renovation plans. The new location – Pioneer Hall at Waldensian Presbyterian Church – will give the audience the feel of being in the attic with the characters. 

The play is based on the diary entries of Anne Frank during the more than two years she and her family hid in an attic in an attempt to evade the Nazis during World War II. Also hiding with them were the Van Daan family and Fritz Pfeffer, a total of eight people. Their hiding place was eventually discovered and all but Anne’s father, Otto Frank, died in a concentration camp.

The three younger cast members credited their involvement in the play with providing a better understanding of what happened 80 years ago, many details they did not learn in school.

“I learned more from this play than I did in school,” said Louis Hyldelund, a high school senior from Lenoir. He plays young Peter Van Daan.

“I want people to come to the play and be reminded of other people’s humanity,” said high school sophomore KeyLeigh Huffman, who plays the title role. 

The impact of the play is also being felt by the older cast members.

Charles Finkel (Otto Frank) lives in the Bethlehem area of Taylorsville. A chance conversation with an acquaintance made him aware of Old Colony Players’ plan to stage the production. 

“I didn’t even know where Valdese was,” he said. “But I saw Tiffany was the director and I’ve worked with her before. It's a great cast, great director, great stage manager. And interestingly I played Otto Frank 50 years ago in Cape Cod. I needed makeup then to appear old. I don’t need that anymore.”

Having previously played the character isn’t Finkel’s only connection.

“I’m Jewish and being in the play evokes emotions,” he said.

Hollis Whalen concurred. The school teacher from Catawba County, who plays Mrs. Van Daan, said activities today mirror what occurred all those years ago. Whalen is Jewish.

“We’re not here to ban books,” she said. “That’s what Nazis did.”

“As an actor, it’s our job to remind everyone that Nazis are evil,” added Kenneth Davis (Mr. Van Daan). 

Some cast members like Finkel have decades of stage experience. Others are new to the craft.

“My sweetheart and I volunteer for productions and it never ceases to amaze me the amount of beautiful talent we have,” said Granite Falls resident Andrew Atkin, one of the soldiers in the production. “I thought maybe it’s something I could do. I took part in ‘Shawshank Redemption’ in Lenoir, one of my favorite movies. I was hooked. It’s wonderful to be surrounded by a tribe that loves the craft.”

While much of the play’s subject matter is heavy, the plot offers more than a snapshot of misery. 

“We want the audience to feel the tension, the anxiety. But they also get to see the family and the joy,” Christian said. “The wholeness of life.”

Angela Kuper Copeland is managing editor of The Paper. She may be reached at 828-445-8595 or via email at angela@thepaper.media.