Mrs. Popova (Katherine Lancaster) gives Smirnoff (Glenn Weyler) a piece of her mind in "The Bear"

TheatreUNCA will stage two short one-act Anton Chekhov comedies, "The Bear" and "The Proposal," from February 25 to March 1 at UNC Asheville's Carol Belk Theatre. Curtain is 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Each play will run approximately 30 minutes. All shows are open to the public.

"The Bear" and "The Proposal" are set in the late 1800s. "The Bear" tells of a wealthy heiress, recently widowed, who receives an unwelcome visit from a landowner to whom her late husband was in debt. Their social pleasantries quickly descend into a fierce quarrel, and before he knows it, the landowner has challenged the widow to a duel.

"The Proposal" tells the story of a nervous young landowner who has come to propose marriage to his neighbor's daughter. No sooner does he summon up the courage to ask her, though, than they begin to argue about property rights, and their squabbling threatens to destroy their chances of a match. Both plays reveal, using delightful humor and physical comedy, the timeless struggles of love and passion.

"The Bear" and "The Proposal" are directed by Laura Facciponti, UNC Asheville associate professor of drama, along with special physical comedy consultant Lavinia Plonka and stage combat consultant choreographer Robert Berls. Drama Department faculty designers include Rob Berls on set, Ida Bostian on costumes, and Rob Bowen on lighting and sound. The UNC Asheville student cast includes Garrett Funk, Christopher Kingsley, Katherine Lancaster, Leah Shapiro, Danielle Stanley and Glenn Weyler.

Tickets for all performances are $10 general admission, $8 for senior citizens and $5 for students. Because of the intimate size of UNC Asheville's Carol Belk Theatre and the often heavy demand for tickets, advance purchase is strongly advised. Tickets may be ordered by phone calling 828/232-2291 between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Tickets are also available at the box office one hour before curtain and online at www.unca.edu/drama.

For more information, call UNC Asheville's Drama Department at 828/251-6610.