We start rehearsals this week for "Hana's Suitcase" at the First Stage Children's Theater.

It's a wonderful play -- an adaptation of a true story of a young girl, Hana Brady, who was killed at Auschwitz. The story involves the search for details after seeing the suitcase that belonged to her.

It's a very sensitive story with lots of children from Milwaukee in the cast. First Stage has two casts of young children so they don't miss too much school and so they don't have problems meeting the demands of a 40-performance schedule. Of course, us adult actors don't get such a break.

"Hana's Suitcase" opens Sept. 14 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. The Holocaust might seem like an odd subject for a play for children, but the story is handled with real sensitivity.

It's a great play, both for adults and children and I'll keep you filled in on the progress as rehearsals continue.