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Actor Spotlight: Jim Showalter in “The Diary of Anne Frank”

One of most amazing things about community theater is that actors give their talent and time so that we can be entertained, moved and inspired. At Towngate Theatre, we are lucky to have a large number of these talented people share their creative skills with us. Some are veterans who have honed their skills and bring a polished craft to their performances. Others are new to the stage, entering the realm of acting with a fresh face and vigor. Jim Showalter is one such actor, one who didn’t start acting until later in life.

FROM STEELWORKING TO TOWNGATE TO TELEVISION

Jim was born and raised in Wheeling. He retired in 2014 after working for 42 years for Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation. It was then that he decided to try his hand at acting in community theatre.

His first play was in Towngate Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol” in 2014. Since then, Jim has acted in five other plays at Towngate, including “George Washington Slept Here” and “Charlotte’s Web.”

Jim said he loves his time acting, especially at Towngate. “I enjoy acting at Towngate because it gives me a chance to try something I always wanted to do. The staff and directors have been so helpful in letting me pursue my dream.”

And this dream has even extended to acting on television. Jim recently worked on Hulu’s original series, “Castle Rock.” Jim was cast as an inmate in the prison on show, which was shot, in part, at the former West Virginia State Penitentiary in Moundsville.

Jim as an extra on the set of “Castle Rock” at the Moundsville Penitentiary.

“I worked on Castle Rock for three days at the penitentiary,” Jim said. “Acting before the camera was a new experience. It was long, hot days with veteran actors and loads of extras. I would love to try it again.”

JIM IN “THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK”

Jim is playing Mr. Kraler in the upcoming Towngate Theatre production of “The Diary of Anne Frank.”

Mr. Kraler, as he was referred to in Anne Frank’s diary, was really Victor Kugler, one of the people who helped hide Anne and her family during the Nazi occupation in Amsterdam.

Jim is enthusiastic to be a part of this production. “I like how the show develops the characters and shows how terrible things were with the Nazis,” Jim said.

Jim also said that if he was put in the same situation as Mr. Kraler, he would “hope I could do something ‘right’ like he did.” “I don’t think I would have had the courage he had in jeopardizing his own wellbeing,” Jim added.

When he is not performing, Jim said he likes to golf and exercise when he can, but traveling to see his four grandchildren is his favorite activity.

ABOUT THE PLAY

“The Diary of Anne Frank” is one of the most famous and haunting stories to emerge from the 20th Century. The memoirs of this young Jewish girl, forced to hide in an attic for nearly two years to escape Nazi persecution, are an essential part of how we remember one of the darkest periods of our human history.

GET TICKETS AND SEE THE SHOW

Towngate Theater presents “The Diary of Anne Frank” by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett September 21-23 & 28 & 29. Curtain is at 8pm. A 3pm matinee takes place Sunday, September 23.

Admission is $12.50/$11 OI members. Purchase tickets online, by calling 304-242-7700 or at the door, if available.

Towngate Theatre Opens 50th Season with “The Diary of Anne Frank”

Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre opens its 50th season of community theater with the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play “The Diary of Anne Frank” by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett.

You can see the show for two weekends –September 21, 22, 23 & September 28 and 29.

One of the most famous and haunting stories of the 20th Century, the play brings to life the memoirs of a young Jewish girl who was forced to hide in an attic for nearly two years to escape Nazi persecution. As relevant today as when it was first written, Anne Frank’s diary is an essential part of how we remember one of the darkest periods in human history.

The Tragic Story of a Young Girl Amidst Fascism and Hatred

It is no secret that “The Diary of Anne Frank” does not end happily. Anne was finally captured by the Gestapo and sent to a concentration camp where she died at the age of 15. But during those two years in hiding, Anne wrote her story and urged us to stand up for one another in the face of intolerance, fear and hated.

Following the war, Otto Frank received Anne’s diary from his secretary, who had saved it. He worked to get her writings published, and, in 1947, “The Diary of a Young Girl” was released. Her writings are a record of optimism, anticipation and, above all, life. Since its publication, the book has become a symbol of hope and resilience that has been translated into dozens of languages.

 

Goodrich and Hackett wrote the dramatization of the book, and it premiered on Broadway in 1955. After opening, the play won multiple awards, including the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

The play is set behind the offices where Otto Frank worked in Amsterdam, in a secret annex where the Frank family is hiding from the Nazis. The Van Daans, another Jewish family, share the cramped space with the Franks. Before long, they must take in Mr. Dussel, a grumpy dentist. The heroic Miep Gies and Victor Kraler, who hid the families, visit and provide food and information.

Towngate’s Production of “The Diary of Anne Frank”

Directed by Dave Henderson, Towngate’s production captures the life that Anne recorded in her diary – the claustrophobic realities of daily life; the fear, hope, laughter and grief the families shared and her complex coming-of-age story amid war and religious persecution.

Taylor Andrews plays Anne Frank. Emily Bench is Margot Frank. Walt Warren plays Otto Frank and Cathie Spencer is Edith Frank.  Rob DeSantis has the role of Mr. Van Daan and Maria McKelvey is Mrs. Van Daan and Adam Marquart portrays Peter Van Daan. Evan Oslund is Albert Dussel.  Jim Showalter is Mr. Kraler and Elizabeth Jeffers plays Miep Gies.

Oglebay Institute director of performing arts Tim Thompson said Towngate decided to produce this show because “the more people are aware, the less chance this will happen again. Like it says at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.: ‘Remember what you saw.’ When seeing our production…remember what you saw.”

Thompson also said many middle school students in the area study this play as part of their curriculum and “it’s a great opportunity for them to see it onstage.”

This is the first play of Towngate’s 50th season, which is sponsored by Unified Bank. Other upcoming shows include: “Miracle on 34th Street,” “The Shaughraun” and “Our Town.” Visit www.oionline.com for show dates and details.

About Towngate

Towngate is the premiere venue for community theater in Wheeling. The theater provides an intimate theater experience with talented local actors performing in a variety of though-provoking, heartwarming, comedic and historically significant works from renowned playwrights and talented newcomers.

A church-turned-theater, Towngate is located in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District. In addition to community theater, Towngate also offers poetry and spoken word performances. You can watch children’s theater, too.  Attend a ballet. See improvisational comedy and live music. Towngate is also home to the Wheeling Film Society. View changing art exhibitions on display in The Gallery at Towngate. Theater classes for children and adults are also offered year-round.

Get Tickets

Evening performances of “The Diary of Anne Frank” take place at 8 p.m. September 21, 22, 28 and 29. A matinee performance takes place at 3 p.m. Sunday, September 23.

Purchase tickets for this show or any Towngate show in advance at www.oionline.com or by calling 304-242-7700. If available, you can also purchase tickets at the door.