March 10, at the Zodiac Theatre in downtown Florence, “Falling Upward” by Ray Bradbury will open as part of Pillar of Fire’s year-long tribute to the works of the playwright.

The play, which originally premiered in 1988, is set in the tiny Irish village of Kilcock. The setting is a pub, where the regulars are a rough and tough group of individuals who are greeted with some unlikely visitors.

The play handles heavy issues such as homophobia and acceptance in a comedic manner. Although many of the characters take themselves very seriously, their outrageous demeanor allows the comedy to flow through them.

The show is directed by Terry Pace, who co-founded Pillar of Fire with Bradbury in 2003.

“[The play is] light, funny, freewheeling, fast-paced comedy that sends out a beautifully positive and unifying message of love, hope and understanding,” Pace said.

He went on to say that the message is presented “all in the name of fun and fellowship.”

Scott Dyar, UNA student and president of the UNA Gay-Straight Alliance plays one of the visitors to the pub who are referred to simply as the “chums.” Dyar explained that the “chums” are the type of people that the village of Kilcock has never seen.

In the end, the locals realize that their commonality with the visitors is much stronger than they originally expected. They realize that their sexual orientation might be the only thing that differentiates them. Dyar said that the play is relevant not only to students, but to everyone.

“There’s no reason we can’t all just get along,” he said.

Thursday, March 10’s performance will be a special “Pay What You Like Night,” where any amount will be accepted for admission. Proceeds from the production benefit the John and Gertrude Cassimus Endowed Memorial Scholarship at the University of North Alabama. For details, call 256-366-4512, or e-mail [email protected].