COMPULSION
OR THE HOUSE BEHIND
JANUARY 26-FEBRUARY 20, 2022
Written by Rinne B. Groff
Directed by Johanna Gruenhut
WHO OWNS ANNE FRANK’S STORY?
Sid Silver is a man obsessed. When he learns about a young girl named Anne Frank and her diary, Silver makes it his mission to ensure her tale is heard. But is the manuscript a work of art? A cultural treasure? Or simply a valuable product? As he fights for the diary’s publication and the rights to adapt it into a play, Silver’s idealism turns to fanaticism, and his good intentions may prove to be his undoing. A fascinating, semi-fictional story about one forgotten writer’s battle for one extraordinary girl’s diary.
“Absorbing… a fascinating, multilayered tale.” —The New York Times
Socially-distanced seats are available–only through Patron Experience at (202) 777-3268–for the following dates:
Sunday, February 13 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 19 at 2:00 pm
Theater J dedicates this production to the memory of Ellen Brie Houseknecht, who served as our Lead Construction Associate for over 15 years before passing of natural causes in December 2021. She will be dearly missed. May her memory be a blessing.
Run Time: 2 hours and 5 minutes
Act One: 60 minutes
Intermission: 15 minutes
Act Two: 50 minutes
Cast (In Order of Appearance)
Puppeteer – Matt Acheson
Puppeteer – Eirin Stevenson
Sid Silver – Paul Morella
Mr. Thomas, Mr. Harris, Mr. Ferris, Mr. Matzliach, Mr. Williams – Marcus Kyd
Miss Mermin, Mrs. Silver – Kimberly Gilbert
Artistic & Production Team
Director – Johanna Gruenhut
Puppet Design/Coaching – Matt Acheson
Set Design – Nephelie Andonyadis
Costume Design – Sarah Cubbage
Lighting Design – Jesse W. Belsky
Sound Design and Original Music – Sarah O’Halloran
Props Design – Pamela Weiner
Casting Director – Jenna Place
Dialect Coach – Tonya Beckman
Production Stage Manager – Anthony O. Bullock
Assistant Stage Manager – Allison Poms
Assistant Stage Manager/COVID-19 Safety Manager – Genevieve Dornemann
Production Angels
Sponsoring Angel
Kathryn Veal
Supporting Angel
Janet Leno and Peter Harrold
Jeff Menick
Alan and Irene Wurtzel
Beyond the Stage
Theater J is dedicated to taking its dialogues beyond the stage, offering public discussion forums which explore the theatrical, cultural, and social elements of our art throughout the year. Below are the events planned during the run of Compulsion or The House Behind. All events are free and open to everyone. Guests and times subject to change.
CREATIVE CONVERSATION
Sunday, February 6, 2022, following the 2:00 PM performance
Attend an insider’s reflection on the creative process. Theater J artists from each production answer questions and offer insights about design, inspiration, rehearsal, and collaboration.
SUNDAY SYMPOSIUM
Sunday, February 13, following the 2:00 PM performance
Hear from experts on topics related to each production. With equal parts lecture and conversation, Theater J invites specialists in their fields—doctors, historians, theologians and activists—to delve deeper into the play’s history, cultural context, and themes.
CAST TALKBACK
Wednesday, February 16, following the 7:30 PM performance
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an actor or to perform on stage at Theater J? Well, here’s your chance! Join members of the cast to ask your burning questions about their artistic practice and the production.