A new musical titled Slam Frank, which reimagines Anne Frank as a pansexual Latina named Anita, is set to debut off-Broadway at the Orpheum theatre in New York on 4 October. The show, created by Andrew Fox and writer Joel Sinensky, has sparked debate even before its opening. It uses a show-within-a-show structure to satirize identity politics, portraying a progressive theatre company that tries to modernize the story of Anne Frank by linking it to the struggles of marginalized people today. In the musical, Anita’s mother is Black, her father is neurodivergent, and the family are immigrants hiding in Amsterdam. The idea for Slam Frank came from a 2022 tweet that questioned Anne Frank’s alleged white privilege. Fox, who is Jewish, says one of their goals was to avoid promoting a specific viewpoint or message. The production’s social media presence has been notable for its clever and sometimes provocative posts, such as sharing "Fasting is Fatphobic" on Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday. The musical’s style critiques the art and culture of the current sociopolitical moment, including developments after the #MeToo movement, the pandemic, and the "Woke 1.0" era. It draws inspiration from Hamilton, especially in its musical style, but intentionally avoids a clear political stance. The show's publicist cites a post by Ben Brantley, a former New York Times theater critic, who called Slam Frank "the most important new show around." The show's director, Sam LaFrage, recalls a visit from Patti LuPone, who was deeply moved by the production. LaFrage says the musical is a way to poke fun at his own "woke" past. Olivia Bernábe, the non-binary actor who plays Anita, says they find the non-binary coming out song "hysterical" and that the show playfully suggests identity and ethics are connected without mocking identity itself. The musical was initially removed from a highbrow workshop hosted by BMI for its boldness, especially the non-binary coming out song. However, after new non-binary participants joined the workshop, the song became a favorite. The final 20 minutes of the musical, marked by an audacious plot twist, are its most controversial, shifting the focus from historical satire to a sharp critique of contemporary issues. Actor Walker Stovall initially had concerns about this part but later recognized its value, calling it "hilarious" and important to stage. The entrance to the Orpheum’s auditorium has been transformed to resemble the bookcase leading to the Frank family’s hideout, with a neon sign welcoming visitors to "The Attic." The show will run at the Orpheum theatre until 30 November.