Fat Pig

June 5th, 2007
The Audrey/Geffen Playhouse, Westwood
Play by Neil LaBute

Five stars. I have to say I wasn't expecting five stars, and what a shame The Geffen didn't include this in their regular season on the mainstage.

It's not often that a morally-charged subject matter is portrayed in a way that lets you empathize with the flawed characters equally. It's about a young man working in an office, who falls in love with a zaftig and spirited woman he meets at a lunch-counter. As the play advanced, he is put through the ringer of life's skewed values, defending being in love with his overweight girlfriend. Put the wrong actor in this role, and you will instantly dislike him and consider him weak, pathetic and superficial. But put someone as empathetic and genuine as Scott Wolf in the role, and you find yourself relating and empathizing.

Andrea Anders and Chris Pine play co-workers who mirror the man's choices and values in challenging and painful ways. Even when they behaved abominably, the writer reveals the reality of their lives so well, you relate and even empathize with their behavior.
The dialogue is well written, and the actors' deliveries very natural and organic. Especially Scott Wolf. I was so touched and impressed by this play that doesn't have easy answers. And it should be noted that both Scott Wolf and Andrea Anders are under-used and under-appreciated actors. I can't imagine a better production of this play.
It was "Talk-Back Tuesday" so the cast, writer and director were on hand to field questions and answers with the audience of 75 or so. The Audrey is a very intimate space, and I enjoyed hearing Neil talk about his play especially.
Playing through June 25th. See it!

~S