FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Four years after “Shadows on Oak Island” won the Samuel French Canadian Playwright’s Contest, the stage play will have its world premiere this Friday in Fairhope.

Set on a small island of the same name off the coast of Nova Scotia, which is the actual site of the famous legend of Oak Island’s buried treasure, the play will run for one week at Theatre 98, Fairhope’s nonprofit community theater.

“ ‘Shadows on Oak Island’ is an emotional and psychological thriller that will keep the audience guessing,” said Anita Havel, Theatre 98’s publicity director. “In addition to incredibly intense moments that will put you on the edge of your seat, there are some unexpected moments of humor. You will not see the resolution coming at all.”

Written by Garnet Hirst with Deborah Peeper, the play follows an affluent Toronto couple haunted by the loss of their young son, who move to Oak Island in an attempt to repair their crumbling marriage in the wake of that tragedy.

“Rene is fascinated with the tales of hidden treasure that have encircled the island for decades and is eager to uncover the mystery of it all,” according to a Samuel French contest news release. “Wally, a chatty local and guardian of the island helps (the couple) adjust to their new home and agrees to help Rene in her quest. Tensions heighten as the truth about their son’s abduction, the treasure and Wally are revealed.”

The play is directed by Randy Hicks, who also has the role of Wally in the three-actor drama. Shannon Howard plays the wife, Rene, and Jarred Azevedo has the role of the husband, Jackson.

“These three actors have put all of themselves into these roles, and it shows,” Havel said. “The talent you see on the Theatre 98 stage rivals any movie or play you have ever seen.”

Located at 350 Morphy Ave., Theatre 98 is located in a historic building near the heart of downtown Fairhope.

“The intimate scale and thrust stage make for a unique experience for both the audience and performers,” Havel said. “Winner of the Mobile Art Council’s first Greater Mobile Area Arts Award for Arts Organizations, we are known for our high standards and the wide range of plays we produce, from Neil Simon comedies to Shakespeare tragedies to offbeat, hard-to-categorize plays. Our success is made possible by supporters who share out genuine love for the special magic of live theater.”

The showtime for Friday’s world premiere of the award-winning “Shadows at Oak Islands” is 8 p.m. The play will run for one week on the following dates: April 16-18, 21-25. All evening performances are at 8 and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m..

Tickets are available at the box office Monday-Friday from 5:15-7:15 p.m. and by phone reservation at 928-4366. Tickets are $15 and $10 for students.