Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things opens with the line, “You stepped over the line,” which could be a criticism of LaBute’s writing in general.
Sometimes labeled a misanthrope and other times a misogynist, LaBute’s plays and films (In the Company of Men) often feature terrible people doing terrible things and getting away with it. But if the last two months in our country teach us anything, it’s that terrible people do get away with doing terrible things. LaBute’s work merely reflects that reality. It’s a stretch to say he endorses it.
The Shape of Things, running at The 222 in Healdsburg through March 2, is the tale of four university students whose paths cross and how their lives change (for the better? the worse?) over the span of 18 weeks.
Nebbish University art gallery security guard Adam (Terrance Austin Smith) has his hands full with protester Evelyn (Anne Yumi Kobori). She’s trying to spray paint genitals back on a statue that’s had them covered in plaster after community objections. Adam is quickly taken with the forceful Evelyn, and a relationship develops. Evelyn guides Adam out of his shell, encouraging him to take better care of himself with a better diet and exercise, improve his attire and even undergo a bit of cosmetic surgery.
Adam’s friends, Phillip (William Webb) and Jenny (Lauren Berlinger), at first are impressed with the changes in Adam, but soon have their concerns. In no time, Evelyn convinces Adam to drop his friends. Then she drops a bomb on Adam. A couple of bombs, actually, before a final, devastating detonation.
Jeffrey Bracco directed the bare-bones production where the entire set consists of just a collection of white cubes that transform into whatever they’re needed to be (a statue, a bed, etc.). It helps that the show is being done at the Paul Mahder Gallery, as an art gallery is the setting for its opening and closing scenes.
The young cast is solid, with particularly good work being done by Berlinger as human collateral damage from Adam’s relationship with Evelyn.
The Shape of Things raises the age-old issues of what one would be willing to do for love and whether the ends justify the means. Topical references (video stores, Fatal Attraction, Jerry Springer) give the play a somewhat dated feel, but the dramatization of human beings being wretched to other human beings is timeless.
‘The Shape of Things’ runs through March 2 at The 222, located at 222 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. Fri-Sat, 7pm; Sunday, 2pm. $45-$105. Students free with ID. 707.473.9152. the222.org.
