`a' Is For Avocado And All Its Adaptations 
Times Leader/richard Sabatura 
The Kitchen Color Is Kitsch And Dip's Been Done. Avocados Are Adaptable.

Anna Dorak February 15, 1997 Anna M. Dorak, 97, Of East Broadway Street, 
Larksville, Died Saturday At The Family Home.

By BOB NOCEK; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Monday, February 17, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 2A 





WILKES-BARRE -- As presented by the new Bracken Theatre Company, "The Diary
of Anne Frank," has much going for it. The story is compelling, and there are
some fine performances by some truly talented actors. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But, ultimately, it lacks sizzle. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The story feels a bit too familiar (and a bit too long). And for all the
strong individual performances, they never come together as a cast to produce
the tension that most certainly built up during the two years the Frank and
Van Dann families hid from the Nazis in an Amsterdam attic. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The Diary of Anne Frank," which opened Thursday at the Jewish Community
Center, doesn't quite add up to the sum of its parts. This is Bracken's first
production, and chemistry, hopefully, will come with time. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Only once in "Anne Frank," when the families believe they might have been
heard by a thief in the office downstairs, does the friction truly build to a
monumental level. Otherwise, the emotion is lacking, making the show, which
runs more than 2 hours, a little weighty. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And that's a shame, too, given the wonderful work done by several of the
cast members, including community theater newcomer Mimi Kammer, the King's
College freshman who portrays Anne. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kammer brings Frank to life, not as a mythical figure from the diary and
the black-and-white photographs, but as the teenage girl that she truly was. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kammer and Larry Medico, the Bishop Hoban senior who played Peter Van Dann,
work together splendidly. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And when she plays off Keith Edwards, as Otto Frank, the two are utterly
believable as father and daughter. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Edwards is particularly strong in the opening and closing scenes, as Mr.
Frank returning as the sole Holocaust survivor among those who hid out in the
attic. He speaks volumes with just a sorrowful expression and tear-filled eyes
as he walks through their former hideout. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Roz Smulowitz brings a graceful dignity to Mrs. Van Dann, while Sheldon
Jeral is a delightfully natural Mr. Dussel. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The Diary of Anne Frank" is based on Anne's writings during two years in
the attic, but except for a few recorded excerpts played between scenes, the
diary plays little part in the production. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Rather than Anne's introspection, the play intends to show us the bigger
picture and give us an idea of what the families went through during their
seclusion. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Knowing the story, the experience should be an emotional one. Lacking that,
"The Diary of Anne Frank," is somewhat disappointing. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Review &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

`anne Frank' Lacks Emotional Punch