Friday, September 22, and Saturday, September 23, 7:30 p.m.
Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Avenue, Moline IL
One of author Neil LaBute's most critically acclaimed yet controversial dark comedies makes its area debut with a two-performance run at Playcrafters – the third production in theatre's recently initiated “Barn Owl Series” of challenging and decidedly adult-themed presentations.
Described by the New York Times as “the most emotionally engaging and unsettling of Mr. LaBute's plays,” Fat Pig addresses the question: “How many insults can you hear before you have to stand up and defend the woman you love?” Office worker Tom faces just that question when he falls for Helen, a bright, funny, sexy young woman who happens to be plus-sized … and then some. Forced to explain his new relationship to his friends, Tom must face his own preconceptions regarding the importance of conventional “good looks” in LaBute's sharply drawn play that boldly questions our own abilities to change what we dislike about ourselves.
Winner of the 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play, Fat Pig was also nominated for Great Britain's Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, and led to New York Magazine calling LaBute “the most legitimately provocative and polarizing playwright at work today.” Ellie Gradert serves as director for Playcrafters' latest, and the show's four-person cast includes Alexander Richardson, Micah SantAmour, Jo Vasquez, and Jacque Cohoon, the latter currently serving as president of Playcrafters' board of directors.
Tickets to the 7:30 performances are $5-8, and more information and reservations are available by calling (309)762-0330 or visiting Playcrafters.com.
