The Chance Theater - The Diary of Anne Frank

Frances Goodrich (Playwright)

With her husband Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich was among classic Hollywood’s most prolific and recognized screenwriters. Her first professional success was the play Up Pops the Devil, which she adapted for the screen with Hackett in 1931. The success of the film won them a contract at MGM. Goodrich and Hackett always worked together, adapting works for the screen or composing new ones. Among their credits: "A Certain Smile", "The Long, Long Trailer", "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", "Ah, Wilderness!" and "Lady in the Dark". Goodrich and Hackett continued to work in theatre, notably penning the stage adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1956. Goodrich died in 1984. [top]

Albert Hackett (Playwright)

Albert Hackett was among the major screenwriters in the studio-system Hollywood years. A bit player in silent films who turned to writing in the 1920s, Hackett’s first success came when he teamed up with his second wife, Frances Goodrich, for the play Up Pops the Devil, which they adapted for the screen. Hackett worked with Goodrich on every project thereafter. They adapted Dashiell Hammett’s "Thin Man" series, for which they received two Academy Award nominations. Their collaborations include: "Father of the Bride", "Father’s Little Dividend", "The Virginian", "Easter Parade", "In the Good Old Summertime", and "It’s a Wonderful Life". Hackett and Goodrich never ceased theatre work and were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for their 1956 stage version of The Diary of Anne Frank. Hackett died in 1995. [top]

Wendy Kesselman (Playwright)

Kesselman is a playwright who also specializes in adapting literary works for the stage. Among her plays are My Sister in the House, I Love You, I Love You Not, The Last Bridge, The Executioner’s Daughter, and musical versions of Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities and Chekhov’s The Blank Monk. She has adapted works of her own and of others for the screen, including I Love You, I Love You Not and John Knowles’ A Separate Peace. Kesselman adapted Hackett and Goodrich’s version of The Diary of Anne Frank in 1997 to reflect a newly published version of Anne Frank’s diary that included previously missing or edited material. The production received a Tony award for Best Revival of a Play. [top]

Josh Costello (Director)

Josh has directed dozens of plays up and down the West Coast, including an award-winning new play at The Magic in San Francisco and last season's The Eight: Reindeer Monologues at The Chance. Josh was the founder and first Artistic Director of Impact Theatre in Berkeley, California. He teaches at South Coast Rep and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and holds an MFA in Directing from the University of Washington, Seattle. Josh was a participant in the Lincoln Center's Director's Lab West 2004. His favorite productions include his adaptation of The Rover at The Chance, his adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry IV, and several original plays he directed with Impact Theatre. Thanks to Sadie Cash for everything, and to Oanh, Jocelyn, Casey, and everyone at The Chance for creating such a supportive, courageous, and imaginative environment for making plays, and for bringing me back again. www.joshcostello.com [top]

Katherine Futterer (Set Designer)

Katherine is delighted to be designing at The Chance Theater. She is delighted with the challenge of designing for two shows in repertory. She is a graduate from the Johnston Program at the University of Redlands where she emphasized in Theater Arts. She looks forward to more collaboration at The Chance. She sends her most profound thanks to her family for their support, Amy Barth for her wisdom, and Dain for his gravitas. [top]

Jon Langrell (Lighting Designer)

Jon has a B.F.A. in lighting design from Boston University and began his career as the house sound and lighting designer at the well known “Ballroom” cabaret in New York in the late 80's. There he designed for Peggy Lee, Jack Jones, Eartha Kitt, Helen Schneider, Patti Page, Jimmy Webb, Little Anthony, Yma Sumac, Barbra Cook and many more. Jon then landed in Seattle in 1991 and designed productions for Microsoft, Boeing, Major League Baseball, Billionaires and also served as a theater and technical manager of a theater & convention center. In 1997 Jon joined ITEC entertainment in Orlando Florida to serve as the LD for the private imagineering firm. At ITEC Jon worked on ten attractions at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, 5 attractions at Disney’s Epcot, designed lighting for “The Holy Land Experience” theme park and several major retail installations. Jon returned back to Seattle to serve as production manager of the largest arts festival in the country, “Bumbershoot”, for two years. Jon now serves as Operations Superintendent at the classic Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and now designs for the love of art, taking on select productions and projects. Jon is a member of the United Scenic Artists local 829 and his work and contact information can be seen at JLLD.com. [top]

Erika C. Miller (Costume Designer)

As a founding and staff member I’ve costumed numerous shows at The Chance throughout the years. Some of my favorite projects include: Goodnight Children Everywhere (‘04), The Cherry Orchard (‘04), The Fantasticks (‘03), Lee Miller: The Angel and the Fiend (‘03), The Mikado (‘03), As You Like It (‘02), Little Women (‘01) and HMS Pinafore (‘00). I look forward to every production as an educational experience and it is always a pleasure to work with such talented theater artists. Thank you for coming and enjoy the show! [top]

Brian Boone (Dramaturge)

Brian is a professional writer and aspiring dramaturge. He has contributed research and assistance to productions at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the University of Oregon, and Lord Leebrick Theatre Company (Eugene, Ore.). He has written for several regional and national publications; written and produced plays, musicals, and films and lives in Ashland, Ore., where he works as a trivia and pop culture writer. [top]

Alisa Haase (Stage Manager)

Alisa is happy to be working on her first show of The Chance’s 2005 Season and as the company’s Resident Stage Manager. Her previous credits at The Chance include The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, Tape, Goodnight Children, The Cherry Orchard, Spring’s Awakening and That Which Remains. Alisa graduated from Concordia University, Irvine with a B.A. in Theater Arts. She would like to thank Josh for being so persistent and for the chance to work with him again. [top]

Kristin Norris (Anne Frank)

This production is Kristin’s second at The Chance Theater. Her first appearance was as a dancer in the Second Annual First Chance Fest. She is currently pursuing her BFA at Chapman University. Previous credit include: A Midsommer Nights Dreme (Mustardseede), The Crucible (Betty Parris), and Quills (Mdm. Royer-Collard). Thanks to cast, crew, production team, family and friends for their support, guidance and unceasing encouragement. [top]

Richard Comeau (Otto Frank)

Richard is delighted and honored to return to his favorite role for the third time, and would like to thank Josh for encouraging a fresh approach for this production. He was last seen here at The Chance as Uncle Billy in It's A Wonderful Life and as Donner in The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. A veteran of more than 80 plays and musicals since 1974, he is grateful to The Chance gang for giving him a stable home and, occasionally, a hot meal and badly needed TLC. [top]

Annie Mezzacappa (Edith Frank)

Annie is honored to be in this commemorative production, and she thanks director Josh Costello for the opportunity. Last seen in It’s a Wonderful Life – the Musical, her recent credits include Six Degrees of Separation, My Three Angels, Broadway Bound, and You Can't Take It With You (Ethel Case Award-winner). When not on stage, or representing The Chance as a Company Member and Development/Outreach Director, Annie works as an attorney and freelance writer. [top]

Melanie Gable (Margot Frank)

Melanie enjoys cookies, karaoke, Disneyland, dancing, the beach, writing, and hard liquor. Her OC roles include Juliet - Romeo and Juliet, Catherine - Wuthering Heights, Chrissy - In the Boom Boom Room, and Anne - Richard III. She has a B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Idaho. Thanks to the cast & crew, Jeremy, Mom & Dad, and E.L.F. Anne Frank has made her appreciate her life and freedom. [top]

Michael Irish (Peter Van Daan)

Zing! This is Michael’s seventh production with The Chance Theater. Previously he was seen in Oedipus at Colonus, Hang Up, Company, It’s a Wonderful Life, and The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. He has also embraced silliness in Poona The F***Dog with Rude Guerilla Theater in Santa Ana. In June 2003 he graduated in Theater from U.C. Santa Cruz, having appeared in many shows there, including Ah, Wilderness!, Translations, Art, and plays with Shakespeare Santa Cruz: Coriolanus, Cinderella, and Gretel & Hansel. [top]

Don Walters (Mr. Van Daan)

Don is a member of SAG and AFTRA. This is his first role at The Chance. His most recent stage role was Joe Keller in All My Sons. Before retiring from teaching, Don headed the Theater Department of the Riverside Magnet School for Performing Arts. Mr. Walters is represented by US Talent in Los Angeles. [top]

Karen Webster (Mrs. Van Daan)

As a Chance Theater Company member, Karen officially calls The Chance home. Past theatre credits include A Streetcar Named Desire, Eastern Standard, The Pink Studio, while at The Chance she has appeared in Little Women, Trail of Tears, Spring’s Awakening, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Hollow, and The Cherry Orchard. Film credits include “Brink” and “The Telemarketers”. She thanks Josh for the opportunity to be involved in this important piece. [top]

Bob Campbell (Mr. Dussel)

Bob is excited to be at The Chance again. Bob has performed at Golden West Second Stage, Huntington Beach Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, The Vanguard, the Whitmore-Lindley in Hollywood, Stages Fullerton, and The Camino Real Playhouse as well as doing twelve plays at The Chance. He has done ten student and independent films and a number of radio and TV commercials. He is a graduate of the South Coast Repertory’s Professional Conservatory. He thanks you for your support of the theatre and thanks those whose hard work made this play possible. Enjoy! [top]

Elise St. Clair (Miep Gies)

Elise has been performing from an early age. She has been trained in both drama and comedy, and was a member of the Crazie Beeze improv group for several years. She has also appeared in several productions at South Coast Repertory including Cyrano De Bergerac (2004), A Christmas Carol (2002) and Florence David and Art (2003). Elise is currently a student at Orange Coast College and is working on her Theater Arts Degree. [top]

Jeff Hellebrand (Mr. Kraler)

Jeff is a Chance Theater founding member, and graduate of the Television/Film Department of Cal State Fullerton. Thank you to Josh for the opportunity to be a part of the production. He was last seen at The Chance as Mr. Gower, and a guy wearing a tuxedo in It’s A Wonderful Life, and over the summer directed Creep. Thank you to the other occupants of The Chance Theater Compound. Oma and Opa are held close to his heart. [top]