by Neil Labute (Author)
"Cow." "Slob." "Pig." How many insults can you hear before you have to stand up and defend the woman you love? 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 shallow (although shockingly funny) friends, Tom comes to terms with his own preconceptions of the importance of conventional good looks. Neil LaBute's sharply drawn play not only critiques our slavish adherence to Hollywood ideals of beauty but boldly questions our own ability to change what we dislike about ourselves. "The most emotional engaging and unsettling of Mr LaBute's plays since BASH ... A serious step forward for a playwright who has always been most comfortable with judgmental distance." -Ben Brantley, The New York Times "One of Neil LaBute's subtler effort ... Demonstrates a warmth and compassion for its characters missing in many of LaBute's previous works and] balances black humor and social commentary in ... beautifully written, hilarious ... dissection of how societal pressures affect relationships ... Astute and up-to-the-minute relevant." -Frank Scheck, New York Post "Will make you squirm in your seat. It's theater without novocain from] an author with a uniquely truthful voice." -Jacques le Sourd, The Journal News