POAC presents “Living Voices” at the Panida Theater

“Through the Eyes of a Friend” will bring to life the story of composite character Sarah Weiss, a young Jewish person growing up in the onset of World War II.

The Living Voices production will be held Friday, Feb. 18, at the Panida Theater, and is presented by the Pend Oreille Arts Council.

With a mission to bring life to history, Living Voices combines live performance with archival film to authentically represent diverse perspectives from the past that resonate today.

“Through the Eyes of a Friend” parallels the life of Anne Frank through the historically accurate composite character, who is based on the real testimonies of many who knew Anne Frank, as well as other victims, resisters and survivors of the Holocaust and the war. Like Anne Frank, Weiss is a young Jewish girl in Amsterdam when Hitler comes to power in the 1930s, whose experience under Nazi rule, in hiding and through the concentration camps also reflects Anne’s story.

“Our long relationship with the incredible Living Voices program continues with this latest production of ‘Through the Eyes of a Friend’,” said POAC executive director Tone Lund. “This play remains faithful to Anne Frank’s life and her world, and POAC believes it is an important story to share. We hope you’ll join us for live theater at the Panida.”

Living Voices is also a part of POAC’s Ovations program, a free outreach that provides quality educational experiences in the performing arts for students in our community who would not otherwise have these opportunities. A study guide focused on the history of the times will accompany performances in multiple schools in the Lake Pend Oreille School District prior to the public performance at the Panida Theater on Feb. 18.

All tickets are $16, available at the POAC Office, 110 Main St, Suite 101, in downtown Sandpoint; by phone at 208-263-6139; or online at ArtinSandpoint.org.