Homer Alaska - Arts -

This is serious fare for the Pier One Youth Theatre players and their director, Paul Jones, but that's exactly what Jones was looking for when he picked "Anne Frank and Me," a play by Cherie Bennett and Jeff Gottesfeld that premiered in Nashville, Tenn., in 1995 and was adapted into a novel in 2001.

"It was the best one I looked at that represented a logical step forward for the students," said Jones. "We wanted to work on something more serious and it's always important to continue retelling the story of the Holocaust."

Not that "Anne Frank and Me" is without its lighter moments -- the first act is mostly comedy before the play turns serious when Nicole is transported back in time. The play is intended to resonate with modern teens, according to Bennett and Gottesfeld, and mixing entertainment in with education about the Holocaust was crucial to accomplishing that goal.

"It has to be a good play that you go and you watch and you're not looking at your watch and wondering when the damn thing is going to end," said Gottesfeld from his home in Los Angeles. "It just can't be boring."

The authors, a husband and wife team who have co-written everything from novels to television episodes of "Young and the Restless," said "Anne Frank and Me" is their most popular and most produced play.

"The feedback that we often get from where the play is done is that students who know nothing about the Holocaust learn something from it," said Bennett. "The main character in this play is just like that."

"It was extremely important to both of us that kids know what happened and why its still important to remember it," said Gottesfeld.

Jones and his cast have been rehearsing the play at the Mariner Theatre for more than a month.

"From where I'm sitting, everybody is still having fun. I sometimes feel guilty about how much fun I'm having," said Jones. "Everybody is aware of the expectations that come with this subject and takes it very seriously. It's so intense that you can't help but take it seriously."

Maddie Bowen, who has worked with the Pier One Youth Theatre group on several productions, including as Helena in "Midsummer Night's Dream" and as Miranda in "The Tempest," will play the lead role.

"I am so excited. This play is going to be really intense," said Bowen. "This character (Nicole) is pretty oblivious, but later learns to appreciate how fortunate she is to have the family and things that she has."

"Anne Frank and Me," performed by the Pier One Youth Theatre, debuts Friday at the Mariner Theatre and will run for six performances -- Oct. 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11. All show times are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $9 for seniors, $8 for students and Ravens Club members and are available at the Homer Bookstore, Etude Studio and at the door. For more information, call 235-7333.

Due to the serious subject matter of the play, parental discretion is advised.

Aaron Selbig can be reached at aaron.selbig@homernews.com.