2 out of 5 stars

Being comically audacious isn’t necessarily the same thing as being theatrically brilliant. Such is the problem with “Slam Frank,” the parody of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” It’s a spoof-filled show that aims to offend, reimagining Anne and her family in countless ways (Anne is Latina, her father gay, etc.) But what might make for a funny, did-they-dare-to-go-there? “SNL” skit here becomes a plodding, intermission-less two-hour musical, with a forgettable hip-hop score that serves only to remind you what made “Hamilton” so great. And its turn toward semi-seriousness near the end merely dulls whatever edge it had.

At the Orpheum Theatre, through Nov. 30, 2026; slamfrankmusical.com. (Photo on home page by Shawn Salley.)