Cornerstone’s theatre department introduced its first performance of “The Diary of Anne Frank” on Nov. 14, a striking, true story based on a diary of a young girl who lived during the Holocaust. 

In this epic adaptation, Anne Frank comes to life in a contagious hype and youthful personality.

Overflowing with talent and spunk, she faces her life trapped in secrecy with dreams and anticipation of what life will be like outside of hiding.

The play, though intense from its historic truth and value, has an enjoyable mixture of melancholy and light-heartedness. The production includes eight characters who live in an attic together, sharing the heartache of limited food, no sunshine and crowded space. This inevitably causes strife between characters, especially Anne and her sister, whom Anne feels she cannot live up to. The play recounts real moments from Anne’s diary, retold to honor their memory.

“We are portraying real people, not just characters. These aren’t people that just came out of someone’s head,” said Sarah Walton, a sophomore theatre major who played Margot Frank in the play. “These people really lived this life, and it is our job through this show to honor their memory and to tell this story so that the world doesn’t forget what happened.”

The costumes were splendid, themed with dark gold and brown colors, stylish trench coats and vintage dresses. The set was very believable, maintaining a rustic, meager sense given the fact that the household was a storage attic and the adults were responsible to feed eight people with limited resources.

The music set the mood of the time era, complete with Frank Sinatra-like, big band sounds. In between scenes, the audience heard passages from Anne Frank’s actual diary and sound bites from Hitler and Eisenhower’s speeches.

Cat lovers can beware, because they are in for a delight as a real cat is cast in the play.

“One of the first rehearsals we were in, we were discussing the issue of what we were going to do for Peter’s cat,” Walton said, “and then it was decided that Becky [Visser], who is playing Mrs. Van Daan, would bring her cat in to play the role of Moushi. It’s been fun and interesting trying to keep track of a live animal on set.”

The strong relationship between the cast members showed through in their acting onstage.

“The guys are absolutely hilarious. The girls just stand back and laugh. There is never a dull moment on stage,” said Leah Hoffman, who plays Anne Frank. “The cast has so many inside jokes. After rehearsals, we love to hang out. We play videos games, watch movies, all kinds of things. We are all so close.”

Hoffman attributes the closeness between the cast to their director, Jennifer Hunter.

“[Hunter] has a different directing style than any director I had back at home. She was more about the connections on stage, more about the relationships and creating positive attitudes. [The cast] automatically respects each other,” Hoffman said.

For Hoffman, getting into character was surprisingly not difficult.

“I am reading her diary, and as I read I find myself thinking, ‘I totally understand that, Anne!’ I think I find a lot in Anne Frank that I can identify with,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman kept a blog throughout her experience as Anne Frank. It is available to read on the front page of the theatre department section on CU’s Web site.

“It’s such a wonderful story that is so important to our history and I think that we need to be reminded of it,” said Jennifer Hunter, the director of the play. “You hear about these activists and speakers today who are speaking around the world, and they don’t believe in the Holocaust. They say that it’s a myth. When we hear people like that, we say ‘That’s why we need this play back on our stage.’”

To the director, cast, and crew, this play means more than acting experience or a lead role.

 “I feel like there’s generations who have missed [the story of Anne Frank]. It’s a story that we all should hear. It is a part of our history that we should not forget,” Hunter said.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see fellow students perform this week. Shows are Nov. 20, 21, and 22 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling (616) 254-1663. They are $8 for students and seniors and $10 for the general public.