January 13 - February 5, 2006

Director: Michael Sandner

Silver Spring Stage presents the provocative, drama of art, self-image and artifice The Shape of Things by Neil LaBute. The play, directed and produced by Michael Sandner, is the ingenuous and surprising story of a young woman artist seducing and remaking an awkward young man. The Shape of Things will run weekends January 13 to February 5, 2006.

Neil LaBute on LaBute: "I'm a wide-eyed realist, but there's still a sense of hopefulness there. I'm more than open to hope, but I think men and women have a difficult time dealing with each other and often take the low road." There's no other playwright these days like Neil LaBute for pushing the buttons on human relations. In all his works, he tests the boundaries of "good" and "bad", moral and ethical questions and the of men and women as willing to love as lash each other. LaBute himself is an intriguing contradiction. He's a Brigham Young University graduate, a converted, devout Mormon, and husband and father. Yet, his works primarily reveal the unflattering qualities of people, some even describe as reprehensible. His first success was the controversial film In the Company of Men, which won the Filmmakers Trophy at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival, as well as the New York Film Critics Circle's Award for Best First Feature. The theatre, however, is his preference. The Shape of Things premiered in London and New York in 2001. It was made into a feature film in 2003. In The Shape of Things, he vividly challenges the fragility of friendship, the illusion of love, and the conflict between art and morality.

Set in a contemporary locale, The Shape of Things opens with pleasant, dorky museum guard Adam (Nicholas Bocek) meeting exotic, sensual, ambitious art student Evelyn (Jennifer Crooks). He falls for her and they become involved. He introduces her to his best friends, engaged couple Jenny (Kathryn Kelly) and Phillip (Evan Shyer). They are skeptical of the mutual attraction. Evelyn encourages Adam to make some changes in his appearance: his clothes, weight, hairstyle and even more. Jenny and Phillip notice and question the changes and his relationship with Evelyn. In turn, Evelyn questions Adam's friendship with Jenny and Phillip. Tension develops between the couples. The story unfolds in a revealing, unexpected resolution amplifying LaBute's parable on modern love, image and art.

The production team includes Patty Hackett (Assistant Director), Bridget Muehlberger (Stage Manager), Brandon R. McWilliams (Set and Costume Design), Laurence Zoll (Lighting Design), Michael Sandner (Sound Design), and John Buckley (Master Carpenter).

Silver Spring Stage is located in the Woodmoor Shopping Center, lower level (next to the CVS) at Colesville Road and University Boulevard. Ticket prices range from $11 to $15. The Stage has a new four-weekend performance schedule this season. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sunday matinees on January 22 and February 5 at 2:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.ssstage.org. Information is also available by calling (301) 593-6036.

The Shape of Things is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc.

Silver Spring Stage is grateful for support from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland State Arts Council and Combined Federal Campaign.