Ollie Forde (left) and Claudia Warga do ... um... baseball related stuff ... we think? Photos by Crystal Lovelady.

By James Johnson

Every now and then we like to abduct local artists and musicians, hold them at gun point and then ask them the most important questions we can muster. This week we challenged local actress Claudia Warga to answer our deepest most personal questions – we also asked about her new show “Play Balls,” which is ending its run at the Gilbert Theater in downtown Fayetteville this weekend (Feb 26 - 28).

“Play Balls” is a comedy which tells the vaguely true story of the first female baseball umpire, Lucy Posner, as played by Warga. Tickets for the show are $10 each. Find more info at the GilbertTheater.com

Fayetteville FEED: How has the show’s run been so far for you?

Claudia Warga: It’s been good – it has been tiring – but it has been exciting. We’ve been finding new stuff every night. I’m not used to doing three weekends (two is my norm’), but it is better this way, I think. You get to find more. We’re even doing Thursday shows and they’ve been picking up a bit more too.

F.F.: While remaining aware that in theater there are no small roles, only small actors (i.e. Danny DeVito), this is arguably your largest role, right?

C.W.: I would consider it my biggest role, yeah. I was in “Wait Until Dark,” and technically that was a large role, but in this one I get to speak with the audience, which somehow makes it feel different.

F.F.: Did you have to learn how to play baseball in preparation for this show? Or at least take classes on the art of scratching yourself?

C.W.: I grew up playing a lot of baseball. I actually quit playing when I got into theater. I pitched on a few softball teams, so yeah, I know how it is to try to fit in with the guys.

F.F.: This is a three person cast, including yourself, actor Ollie Forde and due to some last minute change, show director Antonio Bonilla – how is It working with them?

C.W.: I’ve done a lot of plays where the director has to step in to take over a role, so I am kind of used to it. (Peter) stepped in, and already knew where he was going with it – it is kind of cool working with Peter. The cast has evolved as the show’s run has progressed, which is fun.

F.F.: The language in this show is kind of strong, even by Gilbert Theater standards – did this present a problem when having family in the audience?

C.W.: Absolutely not… The language is part of the show, and part of baseball. When you play baseball, hang out with the boys – words pop out. My mother was like, “I wish you didn’t say that,” but she enjoys it anyway.

F.F.: Now that the run is coming to an end, are you experiencing any sadness?

C.W.: Oh yeah – definitely. We’ve been working on this since January, and it seems longer than that. So much has changed. There is some sorrow; I’m going to miss it. I wish we could run another few weeks.

Editor’s note:

For those looking for a really good show and a way deduct some taxes, March 6 the Gilbert Theater will be holding a fundraiser entitled “A Little Light Music.” For more information, call 910-678-7186.