The Shape of Things by Neil Labute, February 2007
The Shape of Things is a modern version of Adam’s seduction by Eve. The play pits gentle, awkward, overweight Adam against experienced, analytical, amoral Evelyn, a graduate student in art. After a chance meeting at a museum, Evelyn and Adam embark on an intense relationship that causes shy and principled Adam to go to extraordinarily lengths, including cosmetic surgery, and a betrayal of his best friend, to improve his appearance and character. Labute’s work is an intense and disturbing study not only of the uses of power within human relationships, but also of the ethics involved in the relationship of art and life.