The Friday Flyer, January 2, 2009 - Article: Actors feel the story behind 'Frank' characters

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Actors feel the story behind 'Frank' characters

     Kate Chapin, Alec Jenkins and James Szepkouski understand they are portraying real people in history who helped a Jewish family stay alive long enough for a young girl’s story to be told to future generations. The young girl was Anne Frank; the people who helped her family were Miep Giles and Victor Kraeler. An elderly dentist, Mr. Dussel, was with the family in hiding.
     Miep Giles is the woman who sustained Anne Frank and her family and friends while they were hiding during World War II, aided by her colleague Victor Kraeler. The humanitarian actions of Meip Gies more than 50 years ago in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam have had a special and enduring impact, because, were it not for Miep Gies, the world would never have met Anne Frank.
     Aware of this poignant background, Kate Chapin, a sophomore at Temescal Canyon High School, portrays Miep in Canyon Lake Community Theatre’s January production of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Kate says when she was a little girl, she read the book of the same title and what she most admired was the quote, “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
     When Kate heard that Canyon Lake was holding auditions, she says she was very excited. “I am delighted to be playing Miep Gies. She was such a brave woman to help all those people. I can only aspire to be as brave as she and I hope that I can do her justice. If Miep could see this, I could only hope that she would approve,” said Kate. “I am very excited to be part of the production.” The teen is no stranger to theater. She recently appeared in “The Nutcracker,” “Les Miserables” and “South Pacific.”
     Alec Jenkins, a senior at TCHS, will be performing the character of Victor Kraeler. “Victor’s passion to help the Franks and how he was willing to put his life in danger is admirable,” says Alec. “He did what was right.” This role will be Alec’s acting debut; he also enjoys music and played bass in a band for three years. He plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College and study computer science.
     James Szepkouski will portray Mr. Dussel, the difficult elderly dentist who joined the group in hiding in November 1942. Life in the confined quarters of the “Secret Annexe” had made Mr. Dussel rather difficult, and Anne describes him with great severity in her diary. This performance will be James’ acting debut for Canyon Lake audiences.
     “I had little to no experience with theater until my kids became involved with children’s theater about eight years ago,” says James. “It started with me working backstage and, the next thing I knew, I was on stage and singing.” James says his first role in children’s theater was performing the role of the Duke in “Big River.” He has also portrayed FDR in “Annie,” the bit part of the older Danny in “Grease” and the Cowardly Lion in “Wizard of Oz.”
     Produced by Mary Anne Stevens, “The Diary of Anne Frank,” will be performed at the Lodge January 29 at 7 p.m., January 30 at 8 p.m. and January 31 at 7 p.m. (dinner show), with a matinee on February 1 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 for preferred seating, $12 for open seating and $10 for students and seniors; they can be obtained by calling Sue Collins at 244-9675 or online at www.CLCTPA.org.