What is Slam Frank?

Slam Frank is a new satirical musical that reimagines Anne Frank's story through the lens of today’s identity politics, social media discourse, and contemporary musical theatre. Inspired by real online debates—including a viral thread asking whether Anne Frank had “white privilege”—the show asks what happens when a hyper-progressive community theater attempts to “update” Anne Frank’s story into a genderqueer, intersectionally feminist, Afro-Latin hip-hop musical.  

What is the plot of Slam Frank?

The musical follows a fictional, self-important “woke” arts collective as they stage a modernized Anne Frank narrative. Anne becomes Anita Franco, a pansexual Latinx teenager; Peter becomes a gender-questioning climate activist; and the entire attic becomes a battleground for identity politics, activism, privilege, and personal expression.

The show blends rap, R&B, musical theatre parody, political satire, and absurdism, using humor and heightened theatricality to explore how good intentions can collapse under the weight of ideological rules.

Is Slam Frank based on real events or true stories?

Yes—the satire is built from real statements pulled from online discourse, TikTok debates, activist language, and contemporary cultural arguments. Much of the ideological framing is drawn directly from real-world quotes or reframed versions of them.

Why was Slam Frank created?

Composer-lyricist Andrew Fox was inspired by the constant appearance of Anne Frank in online political debates and identity-based social media conversations. After seeing these discussions escalate to extreme and absurd places, he began asking what would happen if those rules were applied literally and theatrically. The result is Slam Frank: a satire, an exploration, and a provocation. 

Is Slam Frank offensive?

The show intentionally pushes boundaries and embraces the tradition of satire, much like The Book of Mormon, Assassins, and Jewish comedic legends such as Mel Brooks and Lenny Bruce. The creators believe satire must provoke thought—and sometimes discomfort—to be effective, and they note that no piece of satire that offends no one can succeed artistically.

Is Slam Frank making fun of Anne Frank?

No. The show satirizes the present-day cultural lens, not Anne Frank herself. The character of Anne/Anita is portrayed with agency, ambition, and intelligence, and many of her songs emphasize creativity, survival, and identity. The target of the humor is the modern attempt to rewrite historical narratives to fit contemporary ideological frameworks.  

What themes does Slam Frank explore?

• Identity politics

• Online activism

• Privilege and intersectionality

• Censorship and artistic freedom

• The tension between progressive ideology and artistic expression

• Jewish humor and the tradition of laughing through dark historical narratives

• The clash between authenticity and performance

• Community theatre, social justice culture, and self-awareness

Much of the show highlights the complexity of applying modern identity frameworks to historical events. 

Is the show political?

Slam Frank is not a political endorsement. It is an exploration—a “reductio ad absurdum”—that uses humor to examine how ideological rules operate when pushed to their limits. The creators emphasize that the show is not a one-to-one representation of their personal politics. Its aim is conversation, not persuasion.  

Why is the show relevant right now?

The show is intensely of-this-moment, reflecting:

• Online tribalism

• Performative activism

• The rapid shifts in DEI, representation, and cultural discourse

• How art is policed, critiqued, or weaponized on social media

• Ongoing conversations about freedom of expression

The creative team notes that Slam Frank likely could only exist right now—and may not be producible in the same way after 2027 as the cultural climate shifts. 

Where is Slam Frank being performed?

The show premiered in a reading and concert format, selling out in 36 hours, with a limited engagement following at Asylum NYC and further commercial development planned.

Is the show Jewish?

Very much so. The creators discuss the long tradition of Jewish humor—laughing through tragedy—and situate Slam Frank within that lineage, alongside Yiddish theatre, Broadway’s Jewish roots, Mel Brooks, and other satirists. The show uses Jewish identity to interrogate and complicate modern identity-politics frameworks.  

Is this show appropriate for all audiences?

No. Slam Frank is recommended for adults due to its satirical political content, intense themes, language, parody of extremist rhetoric, and dark comedy.

Is Slam Frank anti-woke?

No. The creators repeatedly emphasize that the show is not an anti-woke screed. It critiques systems of thought, not people; it satirizes rules, not identities. It examines what happens when ideological frameworks become rigid, literal, or performative—and does so with affection for the communities it portrays.  

What should audiences expect?

Expect laughter, shock, debate, big musical numbers, uncomfortable truths, and a completely original night of theatre that people talk about long after they leave the building. The show thrives on varied reactions—delight, discomfort, and disagreement. That’s the point.