Conejo Players to Open THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, 8/29

The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman, will be directed by Rachael Weinberg Pugh and produced by Patrick Rogers & Priscilla Losey (via special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service) for the Conejo Players. The show runs August 29 through September 20, 2014.

The Diary of Anne Frank is the dramatic true story of eight peoples' time in hiding in Amsterdam during World War II as told through the eyes and words of the eloquent and buoyant Anne. The play begins the morning the Franks go into hiding, and it chronicles the next two years' events in the tiny annex. Through the journey taken by these people, we experience hope, despair, and everything in between. It is a story of humanity -- the best, and the worst .

Several cast members have relatives that were in Germany during World War II -- and some were even held at Auschwitz during that horrific time, including Larry Shilkoff's mother and Daniel Jared Hersh's grandmother. Additionally, director Rachael Weinberg Pugh's step-grandmother survived for two years in hiding with her mother and brother (along with several other families) before they were turned in and captured.

Other cast members have similar stories to share from WWII, including Ken Mottard -- whose uncle, a U.S. Marine, was at Auschwitz the day the Jews and other prisoners were liberated.

For more about the production, go to www.conejoplayers.org/diary-anne-frank. Peformances play Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. Prices: $16/$18. Go online to www.conejoplayers.org or call the Box Office at 805.495.3715.