‘The Diary Of Anne Frank' to be staged by high school drama club

Cornwall — The drama club at Cornwall Central High School will present “The Diary Of Anne Frank,” directed by Rich Aufiero. The play will be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, at the school’s auditorium at 10 Dragon Drive in New Windsor. Adapted from Anne Frank’s famous diary by Francis Goodrich and Albert Hackett, the play was made its theater debut in 1956. Collaborators Goodrich and Hackett had little experience with material of such a complex nature. Their previous scripts included comedies (The Thin Man) and musicals (Easter Parade). However, they did the research, not only reading Anne’s diary but also visiting Otto Frank and the attic hideout. “The Diary of Anne Frank” was an immediate critical and popular success, with reviewers particularly enthusiastic about Anne’s spirit, optimism, and nobility. Anne’s published diary is actually a synthesis of two versions written by Anne, the original, and an edited version she began in 1944. In the past few years, after the death of Otto Frank and his second wife, it has come to light that there were five pages of the diary that Otto Frank did not publish. “Anne Frank: The Missing Pages” reveals these pages and their journey. General admission is $6, and $5 for seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information, call 534-5261.