The Diary Of Anne Frank presented by Young People's Theatre of Chicago at The Greenhouse Theater Center

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...Esther Fishbein's hyperkinetic and self-dramatizing Anne is just this side of annoying-which is very much in keeping with restless teenage girls, even the ones not facing the horrible times Anne is stuck in. The marital tensions of Mr. and Mrs. van Daan (David Krajecki and Amy Stricker) also feel honest and raw. Jonathan Berg-Einhorn's alley-style set, which places the audience on either side of the cramped simulacrum of the annex apartment, lets us witness and feel the ever-present tensions of living in such close quarters, when any sound at the wrong time could bring death."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...This adaptation written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman, is a shorter, terser drama that is geared you pre-teens and teens, allowing them to get te story in a way that they will grasp quickly. Going on a Saturday afternoon was a treat for me as there were far more younger people in the audience than an evening performance and with the theater set up with two sides of the stage area being seating, I was able to watch reactions during certain pivotal scenes."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...Wendy Kesselman's stirring adaptation of this historical literary classic boasts both excellent direction, a talented cast and superb supporting artistry by a top-notch technical team. Anne's detailed diary, written to express herself and shake off her cares, is filled with heartache and hope. It's remained one of the strongest reminders of the horror that triggered WWII. It's also a testament to the power of the human spirit, as told through the eyes of a spunky, 13-year-old girl named Anne Frank. In the end, it's unbelievable to note that this plucky teenager still believed, despite all the heinous happenings, that deep down inside people were good at heart."

Buzznews.net - Recommended

"...‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ is a play that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. While it’s certainly Holocaust adjacent, there’s a lot in this script about that human condition, and what it means to be a misunderstood teenager that everyone can relate to. Though Anne Frank never saw the impact her work had on generations of people, she achieved what she set out to do. Her diary is more than just a record of her time in hiding, it’s a work of literature wise beyond its author’s years and reminds us all to be gentler with each other."

Third Coast Review - Highly Recommended

"...White's cast members are all strong performers and tell a compelling Anne Frank story; we see how all of them respond to the isolation and enforced togetherness. At the Sunday performance, the two understudies stepped in with fine performances. Trevor Hendrix was especially good as young Peter; he and Fishbein portray a believable personal connection."