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Printed From Acorn-Online.com Arts & Leisure
The Shape of Things, Neil LaBute’s drama about modern love and art, directed by Doug Moser, provides an intriguing evening of theater at Stamford Theatre Works. The cast — Pepper Binkley (Evelyn), Ari Butler (Adam), Tess Brown (Jenny) and Will Poston (Phillip) — create praiseworthy ensemble performances. The play is set at a liberal arts college in a conservative midwestern town where Evelyn, a hip art student, meets Adam, a nerdy college student who works as a museum guard, and devises a unique subject for her post-graduate thesis, raising questions about seduction, morality and love. Never having been successful with women, Adam is flattered when Evelyn shows an interest in him and they soon are in a relationship. Evelyn begins molding Adam and he does his best to please her, even having plastic surgery, but is unaware of where all these changes will lead, as Evelyn gets more possessive and controlling and Adam’s friends question what is happening to him. The answers are revealed when Evelyn presents her graduate thesis to an audience, including a stunned Adam. Neil LaBute, playwright, screenwriter and film director, is one of America’s most talked about and controversial dramatists, and his work is described as “edgy, controversial and innovative.” The Shape of Things, with some comedic moments, will keep you on the edge of your seat. The bright and functional scenic design is by David Esler, matched well by the lighting design of Susan Nicholson and sound design by Christopher A. Granger. Contemporary costume design by Holly Rihn fits right into the picture. This intermission-less, 90-minute, well written play scores on all counts. Performances continue through March 30: Tuesday through Saturday at 8; Saturday matinee at 4 and Sunday at 2. Tickets are $25 to $43. Coming next: An Infinite Ache, April 23 to May 11. Buy one ticket, get the second one free, a savings of $30. Reservations, 203-359-4414. The final show of the season is Great American Musical, June 11 to 29. The season also includes a School for the Performing Arts and the Purple Cow Children’s Theatre. Stamford Theatre Works will complete its 20th season on the campus of Sacred Heart Academy in Stamford, as a new theater is completed at the Palace Theatre in downtown Stamford. A 20th anniversary gala celebration and benefit for STW’s new home at the Palace will take place May 19 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich. © Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers |
