reasons to be pretty

reasons to be pretty
by Neil LaBute

My dear friend recent treated me to Neil LaBute's new play "reasons to be pretty" at the Lucille Lortell theater on Christopher street. The theater has a very unassuming presence on the street and it always made me wonder about the quality of their productions. However, they have given LaBute a home and I have heard good things about his writing.

The play was so very freshing. After multiple behemoths that clunked along at a pace less than ideal, this modern four character play clipped along at a fast pace, but gave you time to enjoy and understand what was going on. The production value was the highest I've seen in a long time, even from larger theaters. It was a good feeling.

Neil LaBute is a graduate from the same writing program as I and he has become fairly notorious in regards to his writing style. Although, I'd estimate about 10 years older than me but likely more, he is famously "edgy" and "dangerous" in a theatrical sense. All the comments from my friends about the other plays of his that played while I've been in NYC lead me to believe that LaBute's plays were dirty, crude and violent. And while this play had a smattering of dirt, a hand full of crude and its fair serving of violence, none of them really overwhelmed the heart of the play. And I think that was the point.

I play did have its faults, but compared to my recent viewings they were relatively minor. I wish Stephanie's (played my an incrediable Alison Pill) anger had more range. Which I'm positive is a script issue, but an actor issue. The other female character, played by Piper Perabo, is generally less well defined, but is a more minor character. However, she does have a monologue that has the potential to be stunning, falls a little short. Somehow LaBute isn't exactly able to grasp the fear and sometimes frustration, of being followed through grocery stores or down street by men who only want to oogle you. It is something I understand fairly well and the monlogue could have been riveting, but it wasn't. Maybe its because Mr. LaBute has never had the problem, since he's not really attractive, nor is he a women.

I recommend seeing this produtction. The good things definitely outway the bad.