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Satirical 'Slam Frank' Musical Provokes Walkouts
13 Oct
Summary
- A satirical musical reimagines Anne Frank's story with a modern, inclusive twist.
- The show, 'Slam Frank,' has seen audience walkouts due to its provocative premise.
- The production recently resurfaced Off Broadway after a successful comedy club run.
A provocative satirical musical titled "Slam Frank," created by Andrew Fox and Joel Sinensky, has resurfaced Off Broadway at the Orpheum Theater in the East Village. This production reimagines the Anne Frank story with a contemporary and inclusive lens.
In this version, Anne Frank is a Latina teenager who goes by Anita, played by Olivia Bernábe. Her father, Otto, is portrayed as neurodivergent and gay by Rocky Paterra, while Edith, her mother, is a Black feminist poet, played by Austen Horne.
The musical, which began with a run at the Manhattan comedy club Asylum NYC last fall, aims to challenge and provoke its audience. Some attendees have walked out during performances, a reaction the show's creators seem to anticipate and even welcome, with an actor noting walkouts are "absolutely welcome."
"Slam Frank" takes a sharp turn in its second half, engaging with a highly charged contemporary dispute. This shift marks when the 110-minute show, which features music and lyrics by Fox and a book by Sinensky, becomes particularly compelling.
