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Satirical Anne Frank Musical 'Slam Frank' Draws Sellouts and Outcry in New York

The show lampoons performative identity politics rather than retelling the Holocaust.

Overview

  • Slam Frank reimagines Anne Frank as “Anita,” a Latina, queer teen, and recasts the Annex with diverse identities to satirize contemporary cultural politics.
  • The developmental run at AsylumNYC opened September 17 and is slated to close October 26, with the press agent saying 28 of 34 performances sold out in the 150-seat venue.
  • Created by composer Andrew Fox with book by Joel Sinensky and direction by Sam LaFrage, the project grew from Fox’s viral Instagram parody into a staged production.
  • A Change.org petition launched by Broadway blogger Joy Rosenthal, reported at more than 600 signatures, calls for cancellation over accusations of trivializing the Holocaust.
  • Reviews and audience reactions describe strong laughs alongside discomfort and ambiguity, amplified by provocative staging and merchandise that blur satire and offense.