A forthcoming local high school theater production of "The Diary of Anne Frank" aims to highlight the moments of joy and humanity that the young Holocaust refugee and her family enjoyed -- even as they hid from the inhumanity of Nazi Germany.

Staged by the Mountain View High School performing arts department, the play promises to be "comedic yet compelling," according to an official press release.

"You'll learn from this story that even when despair envelops us, we must never lose hope and continue to live," the release said.

Rachel Rossi, a senior at Mountain View High School, plays Mrs. Petronella Van Daan in the play. Rossi originally was apprehensive about the production. She thought it would be too depressing, but she changed her mind after reading the script.

"These people continued their lives in a normal way, even though they are going through a disaster," Rossi said.

After the Saturday matinee, the cast and crew will hold a question and answer session to share their interpretations of the work and what they have learned from their research into the play's characters.

The play runs from Thursday, Nov. 18 through Saturday, Nov. 20., with an 8 p.m. showing all three days and a 2 p.m. matinee showing on Saturday. Ticket prices range from $6 to $10. For more information, call 663-7474.