Remy Zaken too Old for Anne Frank?

No offense intended, but a 26 year old playing Anne Frank. I mean she's 12 or 13 when the play starts. I'm sorry but, I think that's poor casting

http://playbill.com/news/article/spring-awakening-star-will-be-anne-frank-in-the-diary-of-anne-frank-361114

I think it's fine. Anne Frankly, I don't think it would be a good idea to have a 12 year old playing the part.

I'm sorry but, I think that's poor casting.

You should write them a strongly worded letter. That'll show them.

I actually saw Natalie Portman play her on Broadway back in the late '90s and she was great. I think she was 46 at the time so it may work out in the Iron City. By the way , I hope having high school students play on three kids looked a lot better than it sounds.

Oooooh, she'd be great . When the father tells them they all have to live in the attic and Anne doesn't want to, I'd love to hear what Jennifer does with "And I am telling you I'm not going".

Updated On: 9/5/15 at 12:51 AM

Barbra stars in the new film adaptation. Set to film right after GYPSY.

It's pretty traditional to cast older actresses in teenage parts. I would prefer younger also but it is what it is.

I mean look at the ages of the actresses who were recently cast as the daughters in Fiddler. They are way older than young girls in that situation in that time and history would be getting married.

Jennifer Holliday as Anne Frank made my morning. I bet she's on the phone with her agent right now

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "I actually saw Natalie Portman play her on Broadway back in the late '90s and she was great. I think she was 46 at the time so it may work out in the Iron City.

She was actually 16 at the time.

It's very a very common thing to see actors in their late 20's-early 30's play teenagers on stage because it's all from a distance. In film where the camera never lies, you know the actors have to be much more age specific to the character.

Wow, thanks for the correction Jeffrey. I could have sworn she was 46 at the time which made it amazing that she was able to convincingly play a 13 year old. I just thought she worked out a lot. Now that you so kindly confirmed she was only 16, I'm not nearly so impressed. Always wondered what ever happened to her after she did that play?

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jemjeb2 said: "I agree with the OP. While true that an actress can "look" young and act the part (and yes, theatrical distance helps too) and we can employ willing suspension of disbelief, if I were in the audience and knew teenage Anne was played by an actor closer to thirty than twenty, it would likely be a distraction, if in the back of my mind. If they could find a talented 16 yr old Natalie Portman, why not find a talented more age appropriate actress for this production. Are there really none to be found?"

At the time of that revival Natalie Portman may have only been 16, but she had already starred in several movies and it was definitely built around showcasing her. Comparing the casting in that situation to a regional production is really not the same at all.

Not to mention Natalie Portman was dreadful in it.

I find it funny that someone says knowing an actor's real age is too distracting. Seriously? It may be wise to never attend any performance ever if that is indeed the case.

I have seen Anne played by teens and 20-somethings, some who look 13 and some who don't, but still convey the youth of her. Both work. A slightly older actress can generally bring more pathos to the role. That is one reason why it is common to have actors play slightly younger... They have had the experience to reflect on that period of life.

It's traditionally cast with a teenager or someone in their early 20s. Susan Strasberg was 17 when she originated the role and Mille Perkins was 19 when she starred in the film version.

For those who actually know the play, they may realize that naivete of Anne's character is one of the hallmarks of the piece, and if you have had time to reflect on that age, you are going to be hard pressed to show that trait, acting talent or not.

For those talking community and high school casting....it's not valid, the comparison of the Broadway casting IS valid, and those mentioning far away should know that the theatre at which this is being performed is a 650 seat thrust stage. Most of the audience will be quite close and Remy does not look 13 or 16.

It also depends on the type of show, for this non fiction drama, it would be more appropriate and to cast closer to the age, then in other shows.