A new musical in New York City is sparking intense controversy for its unconventional portrayal of Holocaust victim Anne Frank. The production, which reimagines Anne as a pansexual Latina navigating life in hiding from the Nazis alongside her neurodiverse family and a non-binary partner, has drawn significant backlash.

Titled “Slam Frank,” the musical is a satirical commentary that exaggerates contemporary cultural trends surrounding inclusivity and identity politics. By applying these modern themes to one of history’s most somber narratives, the show critiques what it perceives as the potential distortion of storytelling by performative ‘wokeness.’

The concept originated from Jewish composer Andrew Fox, who initially created a viral Instagram parody. The parody humorously suggested the creation of a production to help ‘Latinx girlies feel included in the Holocaust narrative.’

This viral idea eventually blossomed into a full-fledged theatrical production, framed as a play-within-a-play. The storyline follows a fictional theatre troupe on a mission to ‘decolonize’ the story of Anne Frank.

The musical’s humor escalates into farce as characters explore new marginalized identities through song, replace yellow stars with pronoun pins, and even engage in whimsical dialogues with ancestors who perished at border crossings. This absurdity is central to the show’s critique of modern identity politics.

The production’s musical numbers, which several outlets have compared to a Hamilton-style spoof, feature characters discovering new marginalized identities and dramatically replacing their yellow stars with rainbow-colored pronoun pins. 

Despite its controversial premise, the production has been a hit with audiences. 

With a publicity budget of less than $60, it has sold out most of its 34 performances, drawing crowds who see it as either daring satire or deeply offensive. 

Supporters compare it to the Book of Mormon for its willingness to provoke, while critics argue it trivializes one of history’s darkest chapters.   

A new musical in New York City titled Slam Frank has ignited fierce backlash for reimagining Holocaust victim Anne Frank as a pansexual Latina hiding with her neurodiverse family and a non-binary love interest

Despite its controversial premise, the production has been a hit with audiences

A petition, started by Joy Rosenthal, has called for the immediate cancellation of the play, accusing Slam Frank of trivializing the death of Anne Frank, ‘one of the most sacred testimonies of the atrocities committed against the Jewish people’

In fact, a petition, started by Joy Rosenthal, has called for the immediate cancellation of the play, accusing Slam Frank of trivializing the death of Anne Frank, ‘one of the most sacred testimonies of the atrocities committed against the Jewish people.’

The petition reads: ‘Turning her story into a ‘slam’ or any form of entertainment that prioritizes shock value over historical reverence is not only inappropriate – it is deeply offensive.

‘The Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, and educators around the world have worked tirelessly to preserve the dignity and lessons of this history. 

‘Slam Frank undermines these efforts by reducing a profound tragedy into a spectacle, risking misinformation, desensitization, and mockery of the very real pain millions endured.

‘Art and theater must be held to a standard of responsibility, especially when dealing with topics of such grave human suffering. 

‘There are ways to tell difficult stories creatively and thoughtfully – this production, however, fails to honor the memory of Anne Frank and all victims of the Holocaust.’

Andrew Fox, however, remains unbothered.

Speaking to Daily Mail about the petition, he said:  ​’Besides the devastating effect this tidal wave of criticism has had on my mental health (I have RSD – Rejection Sensitivity Disorder), the petitions and outcries have been extremely bad for our sales.

‘When our shows started selling out weeks in advance, we had hoped that we would be able to turn away dozens of hopefuls in our standby ticket line – but now, due to all the negative coverage, we only turn away half-dozens.

‘We request some privacy, so that we may grieve with our chosen family. We hope the haters are happy with themselves.​’

Slam Frank has sold out most performances at its 150-seat venue, AsylumNYC.

Its run, which began September 17, is scheduled to close October 26.