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ANNE FRANK, a Musical returns to Off-Broadway at the Actors Temple Theatre from March 2020

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ANNE FRANK, a Musical returns to Off-Broadway at the Actors Temple Theatre from March 2020

February 12
06:30 2020

After a Sold Out debut in September 2019 (at the Center for Jewish History), Anne Frank, a Musical returns Off-Broadway at the Actors Temple Theatre (339 West 47th Street, New York NY 10036). Written by Jean-Pierre Hadida, adapted in English by Dylan Hadida, this musical was highly recognized in France for the last ten years. After receiving critical acclaim for his 2019 Off-Broadway production, David Serero returns as the director and producer of this revival, also starring as Otto Frank. Anne Frank, a Musical features 12 artists on stage to bring the poetry and music of Jean-Pierre Hadida.

Seven performances take place on: March 13th at 3pm, 15th at 8pm (Premiere), 19th, 22nd, 26th, and April 3rd (3pm), 5th (8pm).

“I am deeply honored to bring back to New Yorkers this important musical, which was a success last September with 5 sold out performances ending with a full standing ovation each night. Since the first time I’ve watched this musical back in 2009 in Paris, I fell in love with Jean-Pierre Hadida’s gorgeous music and unique way to express Anne Frank’s life, as well as the ones who lived with her while hiding. This theater piece includes emotive music, very respectful to Anne Frank’s character. This is a moving musical with a strong positive message for humanity and hope. It’s a perfect way for everyone to know about Anne Frank and her legacy, as well as the Holocaust. I promise you that there is not a single dry eye in the audience,” said Serero.

The Cast includes: Julie Shapiro (Anne Frank), David Serero (Otto Frank), Ariana Ortmann (Margot), Carson Robinette (Peter), Eleanna Fin (Edith Frank), Anna Ginther (Miep), Jacob Waid (Hermann Van Pels), Samuel Aquilla Massey (Fritz Pfeffer), Shelby Cox (Augusta Van Pels), Alex Schecter (Narrator), Emily Samuelson (Soloist).

Anne Frank, a Musical plays seven performances at the Actors Temple Theatre (339 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th avenue), written by Jean-Pierre Hadida, directed & produced by David Serero, co-presented by Broadway Mad Production, Francine Disegni, Simon & Michal Kalfon.

Tickets are available on Telecharge.com or 212.239.6200.

JEAN-PIERRE HADIDA (Composer-Lyricist-Book)

Jean-Pierre Hadida was born in 1960 in Oran, Algeria. His family moved to Paris, France when he was 2 years old. As a teenager, he entered the Antony Conservatory of Music to study classical guitar with master Jean Mourat. Later, he was attracted by the piano and the infinite possibilities as he began to pursue what would soon become his passion: musical composition. In the mid 80s, he produced a radio program known as “Cocktail”, working with famous artists such as Serge Gainsbourg, Jean-Jacques Goldman and Foreigner. He started his own advertising agency (Venise) where he was the creative director, working from Paris, Sao Paulo, New York, Miami, Houston, Madrid and London. His work included campaigns for “Le Musée du Louvre”, “Dior”, “Cannes film festival”, and many others. He composed soundtracks for the movies: “Jardin de Bagatelle”, directed by Barry Myers (1994), and “Timing” directed by Pascal Elbé (1999), and has written music for over 500 radio and TV commercials.

Jean-Pierre Hadida’s first musical told the epic journey of Ulysses in “Ulysses, the musical” (2002). In 2009, encouraged by Claude-Michel Schönberg (Les Misérables), he paid a heartfelt tribute to Anne Frank putting her story into words and music in “Anne le musical” at the theatre du Gymnase in Paris (2008). Since then, he wrote and produced “Singing at the Bistro” at the Réservoir (2010) and in collaboration with Alicia Sebrien, “The Pirate and the Doll” (2013), and “School of Little Monsters” (2015) at the Comédie Bastille. This fruitful collaboration led to “Madiba the Musical” (2016), their latest work, which celebrates the life of Nelson Mandela. It was played at the Olympia theatre in Paris and is now touring all over the world in its english version. In 2019, Anne Frank, a Musical is making its New York debut.

Aside from composing and producing, Jean-Pierre is also active as a digital painter. He designed the decors for “Madiba the Musical”, “Abba generation” and “Anne Frank, The Musical”. His digital art has been exposed at Markowicz Fine Art in Miami, Florida and at Urban Gallery, in Paris.

DAVID SERERO (Otto Frank/Director/Producer)

David Serero, has received international recognition and critical acclaim from all over the world. At 38 years old, he has already performed more than 2,000 concerts and performances throughout the world, played in over 100 films and recorded 20 albums. He entered the prestigious Who’s Who America for demonstrating outstanding achievements in the entertainment world and for the betterment of contemporary society. In 2019, he received the Morocco Day Distinguished Achievement Award, and the Trophy of the Culture of Morocco and has been honored by Royal Air Maroc as one of the 15 most influential moroccans worldwide. That same year, he received the 2019 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2020, David Serero was Awarded by the Trophy for Diversity by the UNESCO. David Serero is a member of the Recording Academy and of the Television Academy and a voting member both of the Grammys and Emmys. He has given concerts in Paris at the Opera Garnier, Olympia, Eiffel Tower; in New York at the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Times Square; in London at the Royal College of Music, Wembley Stadium; and in Moscow at the Tchaikovsky Hall; in Amsterdam at the Concertgebouw, the Budapest Opera conducted by Placido Domingo and more. He made his sold out West End debuts at the Dominion Theatre. He has sung more than 30 lead roles in Opera, Operetta and Musical Theater. In his extensive discography, he has recorded Cast Album Recording of iconic roles such as Shakespeare’s Richard III and world Premiere adaptations. He is also the founder and producer of several music and film festivals.

During the 2017/2018 season in New York, David Serero starred as Cyrano De Bergerac  (Rostand), Don Giovanni (Mozart), Barabas (Marlowe’s Jew of Malta), King Ahasuerus (from musical Queen Esther’s Dilemma), King Lear (Jacob Gordin’s The Yiddish King Lear), Napoleon’s title role from Napoleon by Stanley Kubrick.

For the 2018/19 season in New York, David starred as Nabucco’s title role, Romeo (Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in a Jewish adaptation), Figaro (Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro) which he directed and adapted. He opened his 2019/20 season with Anne Frank, a musical, starring as Otto Frank, which he directed and produced, and the world premiere of “Lost in the Disco” with Lisa Azuelos. Upcoming engagements are Shylock (Merchant of Venice), his own theatrical adaptation of Carmen, Anne Frank a musical, Lost in the Disco at the Public Arts Hotel, Rodrigo in The Cid among others: www.davidserero.com

JULIE SHAPIRO (Anne Frank)

Julie Anne Shapiro is a Rochester, NY native and recent graduate of SUNY Fredonia where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre. While training, Julie performed in several stages including Antigone (Prologue), Spring Awakening (Wendla u/s/ensemble), Pirates of Penzance (daughter) and Western New York Chamber Orchestra Pop concerts including My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle), Music Man (Zaneeta Shinn) and Les Miserables (Young Cosette). She also originated leading roles in two new musicals, Dollhouse and Open Mic Night with Fredonia’s Performing Arts Company. Most recently, Julie was seen as D’arque/Silly Girl/Ensemble in Savannah Stage Company’s Beauty and the Beast. This summer, she will be joining the Farm Arts Collective ensemble to devise a new work, Dream on the Farm. Embodying Anne Frank is a responsibility Julie holds with great weight. She would like to thank her incredible tribe of family and friends for their unwavering support, David Serero for this remarkable opportunity and the cast for sharing this story with her.

CARSON ROBINETTE (Peter)

Carson Robinette is thrilled to be making his New York city debut in “Anne Frank: A Musical”! Carson is a recent graduate of UCLA where he earned his B.A. in Theatre. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Carson was brought up in an environment which advocated tolerance over hate, education over belief, and respect for people from all walks of life. Carson would like to thank David Serero, the cast of Anne Frank, a Musical, his parents for their love and support, and About Artists Agency.

ARIANA ORTMANN (Margot Frank) 

Ariana is a born and raised New Yorker. Her most recent roles include Elizabethan Ghost in A Christmas Carol (Hartford Stage), Fan/Char Woman/Catherine in A Christmas Carol (Titan Theatre Company), Viola in Twelfth Night (The Hartt School), Dr. Caius/Nym in The Merry Wives of Windsor (Capital Classics Theatre Company), and featured extra in HBO’s Plot Against America. Ariana has just graduated from The Hartt School, with her BFA in Acting and has also trained at The Neighborhood Playhouse, and in the UK, at Drama Studio London. Ariana is so thankful to be a part of this production, and would like to thank her family and friends for all of their love and support.

ELEANNA FIN (Edith Frank)

Eleanna Fin graduated from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, getting her BA in Performing Arts, with distinction. She studied Music and Piano at the National Conservatory of Athens, Greece. Since 2010 she has been professionally working as an actress and singer, performing in theatrical plays and live concerts, such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Cabaret, The Nightingale and the Rose, Romeo and Juliet (2nd Best Actress Award, Olive Festival Milan), Electra, The Bacchae, Thucydides Dramaticus, Idomeneus, Mikis Theodorakis’ Life and more. She has also participated in films, such as Ein Sommer in Griechenland (Greek/German movie for ZDF), The Penal Colony (Official Selection of the Festival de Cannes) and she had the supporting role of Tzeni Vanou in the awarded film “The Waiter” (Beijing International Film Festival, Raindance Film Festival, etc). In 2017, her first studio album “Taxidia Psichis” was released. Her first Off-Off Broadway performance was on July of 2019, at The Duplex Theatre, followed by “The Miracle of Christmas”, at Queens Theatre. She has performed in a rock live at Drom. She also had many live musical performances such as at Ayza Bar, etc. This period she plays a leading role in “Who is to Blame”, at The Graycliff in New Jersey and she is rehearsing for “LUX”, by Dan Forrest, a concert at Carnegie Hall.

JACOB WAID (Hermann Van Pels)

Jacob Waid is an American opera singer and musical theatre baritone. He has performed the leading role of Jean Valjean (Les Misérables) numerous times, in many states, as well as the role of Javert. You may have also seen Jacob in many notable operatic roles as well. His operatic repertoire includes leading roles in: Le Nozze di Figaro, Roméo et Juliette, Falstaff, La Bohème, and Don Giovanni, as well as an extensive Symphonic career. His musical theatre adventures include starring roles in Les Misérables, Some Enchanted Evening, Thoroughly Modern Millie, South Pacific, Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof, Sweeney Todd, The Phantom of the Opera, and many more. Jacob returns as Hermann from 2019’s US Premiere of Anne Frank, a Musical.

ANNA GINTHER (Miep)

Anna Ginther is overjoyed to be honoring the life, story, and perseverance of Miep in Anne Frank, a Musical. She is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music class of 2019 with a BA in Vocal Performance. Recently, Anna has performed with the Broadway Cast of Aladdin in their Carols for a Cure album. Having moved to NYC in July 2019, she has also performed in Creative Narrative’s aciremA (Tinley), RTH Production’s Lunch to Go (Melanie), Skyline (Lead woman), Full Circle (Alex), and directed KARMA. At the Jacobs School of Music, Anna performed in Britten’s War Requiem, Beethoven’s Symphony No.9, Vaughn William’s Sea Symphony, Mahler’s The Planets, Bernstein’s MASS and was conducted by Kryzystof Penderecki himself in his work War Requiem. She can not thank David Serero enough for giving her the opportunity to bring this important and inspiring story to life. Anna also holds immense gratitude towards her friends, family and other half for their never ending support.

SHELBY COX (Augusta Van Pels)

Shelby Cox is a classically trained soprano and a recent graduate of the Juilliard School, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance. During her training, she performed in several musical theater cabarets, art song recitals, and opera productions, including premieres of new works. She could be seen as Cupid in Orpheus in the Underworld and in the ensembles of Hippolyte et Aricie, Katya Kabanova, and La Sonnambula. She played the role of Chihiro in the premiere of Sato Matsui’s Hoshi as a part of the Opera-Compser Collaborative Project. She was featured in several opera scene showcases, performing as Dorabella in Così Fan Tutte, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Idamante in Idomeneo. Outside of Juilliard, Shelby has appeared professionally in the choruses of La Traviata and Don Giovanni with North Carolina Opera. She has participated in staged readings of new plays such as Reporter Girl and The Agency. She attended Seagle Music Colony as a 2018 Emerging Artist, where she performed the roles of Sesto in Giulio Cesare and Gloria Upson in Mame, and was an ensemble member/featured dancer in The Great Gatsby and Candide. Shelby is thrilled to be in this production and would like to thank the cast of Anne Frank, a Musical, as well as her family and friends for their overwhelming love and support.

SAMUEL AQUILLA MASSEY (Fritz Pfeffer)

Sam is ecstatic to be making his New York and Off Broadway debut! Originally from Kansas and a recent Chicago transplant, Sam has been seen regionally at The Goodman Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, Stage 773, Theatre Wit, The Barn Theatre, Millbrook Playhouse, and Great Plains Theatre to name a few. Many thanks to the wonderful cast of Anne Frank, a Musical and to his family, friends, and wonderful girlfriend for their constant love and support.

ALEX SCHECTER (Narrator & U/S Peter, Herman, Fritz)

Alex Schecter is a New York based singer and actor. He received his Bachelor of Music from Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music in 2018, and has trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, as well. Upcoming Off-Broadway: Sweeney Todd (Anthony).  Recent NY/regional credits include Anne Frank, a musical at the Center for Jewish History, The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric), Mame (Patrick Dennis), Showtune (Man 3), Dublin Rising AEA Staged Reading (Stephen), Cinderella (Prince Charming), Avenue Q (Rod), Brothers Wright at NYTF (Octave Chanute). Recent television credits include Dead of Winter (ID Discovery), Evil Lives Here (ID Discovery), and 13 Reasons Why (Netflix). He is the first place winner of the NATS Southeastern Musical Theatre competition (Men’s division) for both 2017 and 2016. Love to all his family and friends: their support means the world.

EMILY SAMUELSON (Soloist & U/S Anne Frank, Margot, Augusta, Edith, Miep)

This DC girl turned New York woman is pleased to be returning to Anne Frank, a Musical. Recently featured in the Off-Broadway production of Teen Party Massacre at St. Lukes Theatre, Molasses in January at the Theatre Center, Magic the Play on Theatre Row, and Wolf Tale at The Pit. Some favorite regional credits include: Oklahoma! (Laurey), Gypsy (June), A Charlie Brown Christmas (Lucy), Grand Night for Singing (Lynne), West Side Story (Conseulo), Carousel (Louise), Troilus and Cressida (Cressida), Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel). She received a BM in Musical Theater at the Catholic University of America and surrounds herself in fitness and vinyl collecting in her spare time. A big thank you to her loved ones for their support. 

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