Anne Frank (Joelle Rassi) is shown as she writes in her diary. “The Diary of Anne Frank” is on stage at Amish Acres Round Barn Theatre in Nappanee through Nov. 9.

“The Diary of Anne Frank” is currently on stage at Amish Acres Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee, and will continue through Nov. 9.

It’s the true story of eight Jewish people forced to stay in cramped quarters on the top floors of the annex to an office building in Amsterdam, Holland, during World War II. They would stay for two years before they were found and taken by the Gestapo.

Miep Gies (Olivia Corbello), who worked for Otto Frank, and Mr. Kraler (Ryan A. Schisler) provided food and other supplies to the eight.

While in the annex, Anne (Joelle Rassi) wrote in her diary and fell for Peter Van Daan (Justin Williams). Also in the confined area were Otto Frank (Mathew C. Scott), Edith Frank (Amer Burgess), Margot Frank (Nicole Tompkins), Mrs. Van Daan (Sarah Jean Hohne), Mr. Van Daan (Shelby Tyler Nichols) and Mr. Dussel (Robert Windsor). All turned in awe-inspiring performances as each person had their own personality. Bouquets also go to the production staff for a job well done.

Anne’s writings keep the audience informed. Her mother was at times unsympathetic and sarcastic. Her father seemed to be the person in charge. He was logical and a leader. Sister, Margot, was the reason the family went into hiding. The Germans had ordered her to be deported.

Peter, according to Anne when they first arrived at the safe house, was lazy and hypersensitive. As the teens grew older and closer her thoughts about him change. Mr. Van Daan had problems because he couldn’t get cigarettes and ends up stealing food. Mrs. Van Dam seemed to always be making stinging comments. She’s stylish and a rather coquettish woman who refused to give up her fur coat. The dentist is the odd man out. He has to share a room with Anne and talks constantly about the Christian girlfriend he had to leave behind.

As the play progresses the audience begins to feel connected with those hiding. The annex is crowded. The people can’t leave the area. They don’t have much food. They argue. But, then there is the joy that filled the air on the day Miep was able to find fresh strawberries and from time to time there is a laugh or two.

As they were confined Anne wrote in her diary, about her life as it once was, how it was in the annex and how she wanted it to be. She fears for her family and the threats from the Nazis. All hold their breaths when the troops passed on the streets below. At one point she wrote, “Despite everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

After their discovery, they were sent to different concentration camps. All died except for Otto.

Following the production, a question and answer session was held and the audience learned more about the people.

Miep was not arrested. She was Otto Frank’s secretary and became a friend of the family. It was she who found Anne’s diary and later gave it to Otto. She lived to be 100.

Otto Frank was liberated by the Soviet Army in 1945. He published the diary in 1947. He moved to Switzerland and died in 1980.

For information or tickets call the Round Barn Theatre Box Office at (800) 800-4942 extension 2 or online at www.amishacres.com.