University of Windsor graduate Talish Zafar (BA 2012) is excited to debut his play Fireflies in the City: A Conversation about Love this weekend at Mackenzie Hall.

“It’s a comedy that ends up turning into an actual conversation about love,” Zafar said. “It gets emotional and even brutal with the reality of what love actually is.”

In addition to writing the play, Zafar is acting in one of the lead roles.

“I enjoy being able to say the words that I wrote and in the way that I meant for them to be said and interpreted,” he said.

The play will be his first step into the real world of production, not only as the writer but also as the director and producer. Dealing with the challenges of funding and marketing outside of the school environment makes his transition into the professional world a reality.

University of Windsor student Caylen Bellis, another of the production’s actors, says the comedy is very relatable.

“Anyone will watch it and think: I’ve had a relationship like that,” she said.

The production runs November 23, 24, and 25 at the Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, 3277 Sandwich Street.

Admission is $10; tickets are available for purchase at the door or in advance through Mackenzie Hall. The Dominion House Tavern is offering a dinner theatre special for $20, which includes a ticket to the show and a dinner entrée.

— by Jordan Tapak