ANNE FRANK AND ME

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West  Hills High School - show continues Nov. 13 and 14

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate and Youth Reviewer www.sdtheaterreviews.com



November 9, 2015 (Santee) - Anne Frank and Me by Cherie Bennet.is a play about keeping history and memories alive so as not to be forgotten. The question asked in today's world and Ms. Edwards, is how do we motivate students in this short span society to learn things like history?

Let me say bravo to Carrin Edwards for finding a way. Ms. Edwards is a teacher at West Hills in Santee, and the director of this profound piece.Kudos also go out to West Hills High administration for encouraging students and rewarding them to support the arts.



"I see the world being slowly transformed into a wilderness, I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us too. I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more" Anne Frank, July 15, 1944

This play reflecting the life of Anne Frank based on her diary was a tremendous learning experience for all. Both the students in the play and those watching. The play started with a normal high school day. Kids being kids, that had been assigned reading Anne Frank's Diary, kind of light-heated with music from today. At a school dance Nicole is devastated and runs out into the night where we hear screeches and sirens, dragging us into a more serious note throughout the rest of the play.

We next see Nicole in 1942 Paris as a Jew. We live through a life of what Anne Frank might have endured and it takes on kind of a Wizard of Oz effect.

The cast did an amazing job bringing to life world.of Nazis-ridden Paris, France.  Nicole was played by Keici Ellis-Alvarez. Britany Stedil, terrific as the annoying younger sister. So realistic. Allison Case, and Dyllan Cook great in their duo roles. Harrison Middleton, and Ashley Carter also amazing. The whole cast rocked.
 
West Hills High, Bob Guess theatre is huge, and filled mostly by students. Impressive in itself, but when they gave a standing ovation to this captivating play, I was floored. On the way out I heard female students say the had tears flowing down their faces. I hear one parent say this was the best show the Drama kids had ever done.
 
If you live in Santee I urge you to take your high school student to this play. Let them sit with their friends. They will definitely be impacted by this play and learn some history in the process. They have two shows left November 13th and 14th.Give your student a learning expeience they won't soon forget.

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