Is it offensive?
While some may feel that to do a satiric show based on Anne Frank may seem offensive, Salkind says that those who have seen the show, which she has performed in numerous West Coast venues, feel differently.
“Some who haven’t seen the show have said, ‘No, you can’t make fun of Anne Frank,’ without really knowing what I am doing.   The show in fact is quite reverent in relation to Anne Frank.  It really makes fun of those who would exploit her.”
In fact, she would welcome a little controversy.
“I had hoped that people would protest and tehn I’d get all this publicity, but it actually hasn’t offended anyone.  It’s a really funny show, and I think it aslso says something about how the entertainment industry exploits tragedy generally and the Holocaust specifically.”
Salkind, who is an outspoken labor activist and political radical, has found that her politics haven’t been a major hindrance to her success.  In fact, she hasn’t been more busy.
“I’m sure my activism has kept me from getting work, she said.  “I know that I’ve been blacklisted in certain comedy clubs because of my union activism.  And like when I did the “Tonight Show,” I just did the Squirrel Lady (he signature characterization).  They got rid of all the political stuff.  So there are limitations, but you realize that you have to keep going with your vision.”
“and I think things are shifting to a place that’s closer to my vision of things,” she continued. “For instance, I used to be totally radical, and now I have the same views that I always did, but they’re not as radical anymore.”

September 7, 2000

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