FIU Theatre produces its first Spanish language play, ‘La Nona’


FIU Theatre's production of 'La Nona' runs through Sunday, Oct. 2.

FIU Theatre’s production of ‘La Nona’ runs through Sunday, Oct. 2.

By Ivan Lopez

FIU Theatre kicked off its 42nd season Sept. 23 with Roberto Cossa’s dark comedy La Nona – the university’s first production entirely in Spanish (with English subtitles).

La Nona is one of the most popular modern South American comedies. The main character, Nona, is a hundred-year-old abuela with an insatiable appetite. Her family is losing everything they own trying to satisfy her hunger. When her artist grandson is forced to get a job, he decides to stop her constant gorging by any means necessary.

The show’s director, Marina Pareja, has been at FIU Theatre for 18 years – as a student, staff member and now on the full time faculty. Pareja was drawn to the play’s dark humor.

“I’ve always loved stories that revolve around big dysfunctional families… makes me feel right at home,” says Pareja, a native of Peru who is directing in Spanish for the first time.

Four of the seven student actors are also performing in Spanish for the first time. Rosey Moreno, a senior BFA candidate has been surprised at how comfortable she feels performing in Spanish. “Spanish is my first language, so acting in this play has brought me back to my childhood,” she said. “I feel much more relaxed in the language I grew up with.”

“One of the first things I noticed when I moved to Miami was the richness of the Hispanic culture,” said Joel Murray, chair and artistic director of FIU Theatre. “Our students live that richness at home and now they can bring it onto the stage.”

The show opened to sold out audiences last week and will run through Sunday, Oct. 2.

Sunday shows are at 2 p.m.  All other shows are at 8p.m.  All performances are presented at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center.

Tickets may be purchased online at go.fiu.edu/nona.  Tickets are $15 for general admission; $12 for seniors and FIU faculty and staff; and $10 for FIU students.