Directed by Kym Pappas

 

Photography by Tony Zeljeznjak

 

Cast: Brendan Cavalier (Tom), Jenna Dawsey (Jeannie), Carla Nell (Helen), and Ryan Ross (Carter)

 

Cow. Slob. Pig. How many insults can you hear before you have to stand up and defend the woman you love?

 

Tom surprises even himself when he falls for Helen, a bright, funny, sexy young woman who happens to be plus-sized - and then some. This doesn’t sit well with Tom’s friends, Carter and Jeannie. Forced to explain his new relationship to his shallow (although shockingly funny and sometimes nasty) friends, he finally comes to terms with his own preconceptions of the importance for conventional good looks. Neil LaBute's sharply drawn play not only critiques our slavish adherence to Hollywood ideals of beauty but also boldly questions our own ability to change what we dislike about ourselves. How much has our relentless pursuit of beauty turned us into an uglier species? And does love need society’s blessing to be complete?