Next Thursday, the Gustavus Theatre and Dance Department will debut its spring play, Maria Irene Fornes’ Fefu and Her Friends-a witty and unique glance into the lives and experiences of women.
“This play in particular looks into women’s lives and experiences in society,” said Amy Seham, director and chair of the Theatre and Dance Department.
In the play, Junior History Major Maggie Sotos plays Fefu, a quirky, fun and sassy woman who tries to break barriers of women’s roles in society. “[Fefu] has a lot of idiosyncrasies,” said Sotos. “She projects confidence, but it’s completely based on false securities. She is very insecure, very unhappy, but she uses humor as a huge deflection of it all.”
While many would consider Fefu a “feminist play,” Seham stresses that it is not stereotypical in that respect. “Yes, it is a feminist play, but I resent how people label things in that way,” said Seham. “It’s a play about women’s relationships and perceptions of identity and self.”
Fefu includes eight solid and challenging women’s roles. Senior English Major Megan Bren plays Julia, a woman bound to a wheelchair and haunted by a masculine voice in her head that tells her what to do. “Julia is almost metaphorical in a sense,” said Bren. “She is attempting to be a female in a man’s world, fighting against the constraints.”
Junior Theatre and History Major Marlinda Sherbert plays Christina, a first-time visitor at Fefu’s house who is prone to accepting her role as a woman in man’s society. “Christina is the prim and proper character of Fefu,” said Sherbert. “She is a conformist. She has an interesting relationship with Fefu because she doesn’t want Fefu to mess up her lady-like characteristics.”
“We have a lot of very talented women who work with the department,” said Seham. “It can be frustrating year after year [when] there are only a few central roles for women. And so, when there’s an opportunity to do something bigger … for talented women, it’s something I’m especially determined to do.”
Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the play is that it requires four separate sets on four different stages for each scene. “The first act is in Anderson,” said Seham. “[Then the] audience is divided into four separate spaces. Within the play, you’re going from being an audience in a theatre to being a group of friends in a room with the actors and characters … you have a much more intimate interaction. Groups go from venue to venue and the scenes are played four times. Groups will see the play in a different order. We believe that will create a different sense of reality or truth.”
Seham said that it is not an easy play for the department to produce. Anderson will have to be split into two separate pieces for different scenes. There will also be scenes in the black box and in the scene shop. “It’s a pretty big leap for the department to do something like this,” said Seham. “I’ve been aware of [Fefu] for many years and wanted to do it for some time. I’m very attracted to its message and its playfulness with its perception.”
“I think that the cast works together really well,” said Bren. “I think that all our different dynamics build up on each other and compliment each other.”
“Being part of the cast is the best part of this show. We work very well together,” said Sotos. “My best friends are in this show. The title is Fefu and Her Friends, and it’s funny because it’s kind of like that.”
“I think that it is important for any audience coming in to just remember that this is a play and that this is supposed to be enjoyable,” said Bren. “It’s funny! Come in with an open mind that’s willing to try something different. It’s not even a typical set-up of a play. It will be a different experience for the actors as well as the audience.”
Performances of Fefu are at 8:00 p.m. on May 8-10 and 2:00 p.m. on May 11. Members of the Gustavus community can pick up complimentary tickets at the SAO Desk. Tickets are also available at the cost of $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and seniors.
Editor’s Note: Maggie Sotos is the Calendar Editor for the WEEKLY.