« ANNE FRANK, a Musical » coming to Off-Broadway this September
"ANNE FRANK, a musical", based on Anne Frank's life will feature 12 artists on stage to recreate Anne Frank's life filled with the touching music and lyrics written by Jean Pierre Hadida. This production marks the U.S Off-Broadway Premiere of this successful French musical which will be performed for the first time in English (adapted by Dylan Hadida). Directed and produced by David Serero, this new Off-Broadway production will take place at the American Sephardi Federation (located at the Center for Jewish History 15 West 16th Street New York 10011), originally produced by Francine Disegni for Broadway Mad Production, Simon & Michal Kalfon.
"Anne Frank, a Musical," tells the story of Anne Frank through the lyrics and music of Sephardi composer Jean Pierre-Hadida. David Serero is producing, directing, and staring (as Otto Frank) in this English language premiere adaptation of the highly successful and well-reviewed production in France, which has been touring for 10 years and was recognized by the Anne Frank Museum at Amsterdam. At the crossroads of musical theater, opera, and oratorio, the twelve artists onstage will bring to life Ms. Frank's world in capacity. This musical piece is educative, emotional, and showcases the universal legacy of one of the most important Jewish figures of the past century.
« I am deeply honored to bring this important story to the New York audience. 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 his unique way to express Anne Frank’s life, as well as the ones who lived with her while hiding. From that moment on, I dreamed to bring this musical to New York. This theater piece includes emotive music, very respectful to Anne Frank’s character. This is a sad musical, yet full of hope with a strong message for humanity. It’s a perfect way for everyone to know about Anne Frank and her legacy, as well as the Holocaust » said Serero.
Meet the Cast: David Serero (Otto Frank), Kristyn Vario (Anne Frank), SaraKate Coyne (Margot), Lisa Monde (Edith Frank), Wendell Hester (Peter), Jacob Waid (Herman Van Pels), Mackenzie Tank (Augusta Van Pels), Erik Contzius (Fritz Pfeifer), Jordan Flippo (Miep), Alex Schecter (Slammer and U/S), Emily Samuelson (Ensemble and U/S).
Tickets are $26 and $36 available on AnneFrankTheMusical.bpt.me or 1.800.838.3006.
Performances are taking place at the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th Street, New York NY 10011): September 11th at 3pm (Sold Out), 15th at 8pm (Premiere), 17th at 8pm, 23rd at 8pm, and 24th at 8pm (Closing night).
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 2008, 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, The 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)
Actor and baritone, 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 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, the Morocco Day Distinguished Achievement Award, and the Trophy of the Culture of Morocco. 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 2012, David Serero performed Don Quixote from Man of La Mancha in Paris and the title role from the revival of Duke Ellington's only musical: Beggar's Holiday and also starred in the cast album recording. In 2013, David performed with Jermaine Jackson in You Are Not Alone, a musical written, directed, and produced by David Serero. He has also produced and arranged I Wish You Love, an album of Jazz standards for Jermaine Jackson. In December 2013, David shared the cover of Theatre & Performances with Barbra Streisand in London and made his Off-Broadway solo debut at the Snapple Theatre in New York. In 2015 and 2016, he played Off-Broadway the lead roles of Shylock (Merchant of Venice), and Othello's title role with both critical acclaim. In 2015, he performed two open-air concerts on Times Square (New York) for Best of France with the presence of the French President. He also played Nabucco (Nabucco) in New York; and the title roles of Don Giovanni and Rigoletto at the Carnegie Hall. 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.
In American Television, he has appeared in: The Hunt with John Walsh (CNN), Mysteries at the Museum (Travel Channel), Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall (NBC), Six Degrees of Murder (Discovery Channel), Checked Out, On The Case with Paula Zhan (Discovery ID), Rabid Beast (Animal Planet TV), Suddenly Rich (TLC TV), Whistleblowers (Spike TV), Blood Feuds - Gangs of New York (Discovery Channel), We Speak NYC, Crimes of Fashion (Discovery ID). More info on www.davidserero.com
KRISTYN VARIO (Anne Frank)
Kristyn Vario is a singer/actor studying at Manhattan School of Music (BM Class of 2020). She has been a member of the world of theatre since seven. Since attending Manhattan School of music she has participated in such events as the 2018 Oscar Hammerstein Awards (featured performer) and the Manhattan School of Music Gala at the Rainbow Room (featured performer). Before her time at Manhattan School of Music, she was a student at Brewster High School and participated in numerous local theatre companies. In 2014 she debuted as Sydney Dawson in an original off-off-Broadway rock Musical Lucky Boy (Robert Moss Theatre). Her other previous credits include Martha in Spring Awakening, Erzulie in Once on the Island, and Ms. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. When she isn’t performing, Kristyn enjoys varying other forms of artistic expression. She writes spoken word poetry and is in the process of writing her own graphic novel titled Dear Jeremy.
LISA MONDE (Edith Frank)
Lisa Monde is an award-winning actress, singer, director, and writer, who began her career in Europe. After touring with various shows and working with renowned European theater companies, she moved to NYC to continue her pursuits. Lisa graduated from the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute, and the New York Film Academy. Since then, she has worked Off-Broadway in various plays and musicals. Recent credits include Dali's Dream (Coco Chanel); Arsene Lupin VS Sherlock Holmes (AJ Raffles Holmes); The Elizabeth Taylor Story, musical (Elizabeth Taylor); Ghost Writers (Mary Shelley); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Hippolyta); Of Mice and Men (Curley's Wife); La Cage Aux Folles (Jacqueline); Dracula. Finding of a Shadow (Mina Murray); Teach Me How to Die (Poet); True Confessions of the Straight Man (Rebecca, various) and Romeo and Juliet by David Serero (Lady Capulet). Lisa also appeared in the web series "Existentialism," and "Callie and Izzy." In 2018, Lisa landed a leading role in her first feature film - "The Most Dangerous Man UVX" by Future Proof Productions, which is set to premiere in October 2019. In Lisa's portfolio, there are eight (8) CD's with original songs, a great number of concerts, performances, and radio/TV broadcasts. She has produced, written (book and music), and directed eight staged musicals and seven plays.
WENDELL HESTER (Peter)
Wendell Hester is making his New York City debut. Originally from Savannah, GA, and has graduated from Valdosta State University with a BFA in Theatre in the Musical Theatre track. He was in Dreamgirls (Dave), Newsies (Mush) and West Side Story (Diesel/Big Deal) at the Springer Opera House. He has also performed professionally for the Nettle Creek Players in The Fantasticks (Matt) and also for Peach State Summer Theatre in Les Misérables (Grantaire). He thanks his parents and friends for always supporting his love for theatre.
SARAKATE COYNE (Margot)
SaraKate Coyne graduated from Duquesne University in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a degree in Vocal Performance. Since moving to New York to pursue musical theatre she has performed the roles of Belle in A Christmas Carol at La Comedia Dinner Theatre, and originated the role of Nugget in Artspower Touring Company's first national tour of Nugget and Fang. SaraKate's other previous roles include Chava in Fiddler on the Roof, and Kim in Bye Bye Birdie (both at the New Castle Playhouse), Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro at The Carnegie Free Music Hall, and an ensemble role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Spotlight Musical Theater. SaraKate would like to thank her constantly loving and supportive family and friends "without whom none of this would be possible!"
JACOB WAID (Herman Van Pels)
Jacob Waid is an American opera singer and musical theatre baritone who has portrayed leading roles all across the country. He is most notably known for his many productions of Les Misérables as both Jean Valjean and Javert, the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, and roles encompassing a broad range of shows; Sweeney Todd, South Pacific, Thoroughly Modern Miller, Hairspray, Sister Act, Fiddler on the Roof, and many more! Jacob is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and an alumnus of performances and programs with Houston Grand Opera, Seagle Music Colony, Chautauqua Opera, Dolora Zajick’s Institute for Dramatic Voices, and orchestras across the country! Jacob's operatic repertoire includes leading roles in: Le Nezzo di Figaro, Roméo et Juliette, Falstaff, La Bohème, and Don Giovanni. Jacob would like to thank his incredible wife Kate, for all of her love and support.
MACKENZIE TANK (Augusta Van Pels)
Mackenzie Tank is originally from Woodstock, GA, and has performed in numerous productions in her short time here in New York. NY credits include: In the Mood (25th Ann. National Tour), R&Hart’s By Jupiter (Vineyard Theatre), Bye Bye Birdie (St. Jean’s Players). Other past credits include Amy in Company, Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Alexi Darling in Rent. Her vocal performances have taken her on tour to Italy, China and Vietnam. Mackenzie’s education includes Music Business at Indiana State University and Musical Theatre at AMDA. She is honored to help bring to life this important story, and would like to thank her husband Jonathan and the entire family for all their love and support!
ERIK CONTZIUS (Fritz Pfeifer)
Erik Contzius (Lyric Baritone): Recent credits include Harry Haft (The Cantor, film directed by Barry Levinson), Brigadoon (Angus MacGuffie) with Little Radical Theatrics, Amahl and the Night Visitors (King Melchior) with The American Chamber Orchestra, HMS Pinafore (Boatswain) and The Magic Knight (The King) with Troupers Light Opera Company, The Emperor and the Nightingale (The Music Master) with The New Rochelle Council of the Arts, The Fantasticks (El Gallo) and The Hispanick Zone (El Lobo) with Embark Peekskill, Noye's Fludde (Noye) and Hannah (Nicanor) by Leonard Lehrman. Erik is also a classical baritone soloist who regularly performs around Westchester County, New York, and beyond, most notably singing the Bloch Sacred Service internationally. He holds degrees from Rutgers University and Hebrew Union College. He also composes liturgical music, sings with a barbershop quartet, and is a member of ASCAP.
JORDAN FLIPPO (Miep)
Jordan Flippo is a nineteen-year-old drama major in the Atlantic Theatre Studio within New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She is an Oklahoma native and was named Tulsa’s 2019 Woman of the Year Rising Star. While she has previously performed all the way from her small hometown theatre to the Sydney Opera House, most recently, she starred in Union Repertory Theatre’s 2018 season as Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Brooke (Noises Off), and Florence Foster Jenkins (My Maestro), with the latter role earning her the Best Actress Award at the Oklahoma State One Act Play Festival. Her film and television credits include the lead in the forthcoming feature film One Percenters, and in the forthcoming television drama The Darkness Within, and others. When Jordan is not performing on stage or in front of a camera, you can find her running her non-profit organization “Open the World with a Book,” which she founded in 2012.
ALEX SCHECTER (Slammer, Understudy of Herman, Fritz and Peter)
Alex Schecter is an actor and singer based in New York and is so excited to be making his Off-Broadway debut with Anne Frank, The Musical. In May of 2018, Alex received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Musical Arts from Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music, and has trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre in Manhattan, as well. Since graduating last year, Alex has performed in multiple regional theatre productions across New York. This past year, he toured the tri-state area in Plaza Theatrical's productions of Mame (Patrick Dennis) and A Charlie Brown Christmas (Snoopy), performing in venues including the St. George Theater, The Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts, and the NYCB Theatre at Westbury (formerly Westbury Music Fair). He starred as Prince Eric in the Bellmore Theatre's production of The Little Mermaid, as well as Prince Charming in their production of Cinderella, and played the role of Rod in Avenue Q at ARC Stages. In July, he portrayed Octave Chanute in a new musical, Brothers Wright, at the New York Theater Fesitval. Additionally, he gained his first television credit for Dead of Winter on the Investigation Discovery Channel; the episode will air in November 2019. This October, he will be playing Tin Man in the Argyle Theater's The Wizard of Oz. Alex is the 1st place winner (men's division) of the 2017 and 2016 NATS Midsouth Regional Musical Theatre Competition. Love to all his family and friends: their support means the world.
EMILY SAMUELSON (Ensemble - U/S Anne Frank, Edith Frank, Augusta Van Pels)
Emily Samuelson was featured in the Off-Broadway musical Molasses in January at the Theatre Center and Magic the Play on Theatre Row. Some recent 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 has also been seen as Samantha in the NYMF workshop of Stand By. She received a BM in Musical Theater at the Catholic University of America. A big thank you to her family, friends, and wonderful boyfriend for their support.
KENT DENNIS - Piano
Kent Dennis is a native Oklahoman who has lived in NYC since 2018. He is a pianist and music director at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, as well as a freelance coach; he holds a BM in piano performance. He was previously the artistic director of the Council Oak Men’s Chorale, music director of Tulsa Project Theatre, and the director of music ministries at First Lutheran Church in Tulsa. An accomplished violinist as well, he has played with a number of professional orchestras in the Midwest. This is his first time to MD a professional production in NY, and he is looking forward to presenting this important story.
E. ZOE HASSMAN - Cello
E. Zoe Hassman is one of the most in-demand performing cellists in all genres. Throughout her performing career as a cellist, Zoe has performed & recorded with The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The New York Philharmonic; The NY Pops Orchestra; performs with the legendary jazz bassist, Ron Carter; has performed in many Broadway shows including, presently, Tootsie and Lion King and she has played as the only cellist in the recent production of the new musical Benny & Joon. Zoe performs in chamber music groups including, as the only cellist, in All Seasons Chamber Players. One of Zoe's passions is to perform her innovative, interactive, audience-friendly solo cello recitals to make a difference.
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