"BLOCK 8," Plan-B Theatre Company, through March 8 (801-355-2787); running time: 1 hour, 10 minutes (no intermission)

This story of the Japanese internment during World War II is a story that needs to be told.

Plan-B Theatre Company's latest production, "BLOCK 8," is about Utah's contribution to that history: Topaz.

Written by resident playwright Matthew Ivan Bennett, the two-person play is about a young Japanese man, Ken (Bryan Kido), who is sent to Topaz with his family. He begins an unlikely friendship with Ada (Anita Booher), a white woman who is working as a librarian at the internment camp and whose son is fighting in the Pacific.

The story unfolds in two ways: The characters talk directly to the audience, narrating their own thoughts and experiences, and at other times they interact with each other.

Most engaging are the moments of dialogue. Kido and Booher connect well — their relationship being one that is both sweet and challenging. The highlight comes after Ada receives an upsetting piece of news about her son, spurring a fight between the two.

But something gets lost when the two speak to the audience. The descriptions of events and surroundings are beautifully done and would be a very nice read — it just doesn't translate perfectly to spoken words, often leaving the actors sounding a bit unnatural.

Kido's delivery is very rapid, but he is certainly likable. And one can't help but think that in a different era, Kido, who is Japanese, probably could have been sent to Topaz.

Bennett does an ample amount of research when writing the historical script — often including direct quotes from posters and personal accounts.

Randy Rasmussen's set is sparse with a table and chairs on a platform. There is also a screen in the back used to show video footage of the internment camps at the beginning of the show. One minor detail, the step to the platform is awfully big, which made me feel anxious for Booher, who had to negotiate it while wearing a skirt.

Jesse Portillo's lighting does a beautiful job capturing different seasons, times of day and locales.

The opening-night crowd seemed moved by the piece, giving an appreciative applause.

E-Mail: ehansen@desnews.com