Homewood in Montford is set for UNCA play

UNC Asheville’s drama department presents “Fefu and Her Friends,” written by Cuban-American playwright Maria-Irene Fornes, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8, 9 and 14-16 in the historic Homewood house in Montford.

Fornes, who came to the U.S. in 1945, became a leading figure in New York City’s off-off-Broadway movement of the 1960s.

The castle-like Homewood house provides the setting for “Fefu and Her Friends,” which is set in 1935 and tells the story of eight intelligent, witty and frustrated women who are attempting to navigate life in a male-dominated world. The production will feature a unique approach to staging, with the audience moving in separate groups throughout Homewood to see each scene of the play.

“One of the reasons I chose this play was because of the way it is staged,” said Scott Walters, director and professor of drama at UNCA. “In the first and third parts of the play, things are traditional. But in the middle section, the audience is divided into four groups, who go to different rooms to peek in on small scenes occurring between the characters.

“It's like a close-up in a movie, and totally changes the relationship between the audience and the characters. It will be much more personal, and will demand that the actors be entirely realistic and authentic in their performances."

The production has limited seating, and advance ticket purchase is recommended. Tickets are $12 for the public, $10 for senior citizens and UNCA faculty and $7 for students. Buy them at drama.unca.edu, by phone at 232-2291 or at the door.

Parking is available at Homewood, and shuttle service to Homewood will be available from UNCA’s Belk Theater. Due to the nature of this play, latecomers will not be seated.

The UNC Asheville Drama Department fall season also includes the dance performance Kenbe, Amour Colere Folie: Improvisations for Love on Oct. 22-23, and the play “Wiley and the Hairy Man,” on Nov. 19-20. For more and tickets, visit drama.unca.edu.