Fat Pig

Last updated
Fat Pig
Fat pig.jpg
Fat Pig 2008 London Run poster
Written by Neil Labute
Characters
  • Helen
  • Tom
  • Carter
  • Jeannie
Date premiered2004
Place premiered Off-Broadway
Original languageEnglish
GenreComedy
Official site

Fat Pig is a play by Neil LaBute. The play premiered Off-Broadway in 2004 and won the 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play. The play had its London premiere in 2008 and was nominated for Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. The play involves a romantic relationship between a plus-size woman and a young professional man whose friend denigrates the woman as being "fat". The play was also adapted into an opera in 2022 by composer Matt Boehler.

Contents

Plot synopsis

Fat Pig tells the story of Tom, a stereotypical professional businessman in a large city who falls for a plus-size librarian named Helen. They meet in a crowded restaurant at lunchtime and begin speaking to each other. Tom is taken with her brash acceptance of how people see her and her in-your-face honesty. He asks her for her phone number, and they start to date. A couple of weeks later, Carter, Tom's best friend, notices the signs of Tom having a new girlfriend. He obnoxiously pesters him for information about the new girl and, to get it mentions it in front of a woman from accounting, Jeannie, who has been seeing Tom on and off for a while. She gets distraught, which gets Tom to admit that he is “sort of” seeing this new woman in his life. Carter asks Tom what he is doing that night, and Tom says he is busy. Carter knows then that he is meeting Helen at a restaurant Tom frequents; Tom denies it and says it is a business dinner with people from the Chicago branch of their firm. Not believing him, Carter stops by the restaurant and sees them together. He approaches them and introduces himself to Helen, and she excuses herself to go to the restroom. While she is gone, Carter thoroughly insults her weight and calls her many horrible things ('fat pig' among others), not knowing that this is Tom's new girlfriend. He assumes then that Tom is telling the truth about the people coming in from Chicago and that Helen is one of his business contacts since he thought that Tom would never date anyone that "fat."

Later that week, Jeannie pays a visit to Tom in his office. She has found out that no people from Chicago came to visit. She demands to know what is going on with him and her, and he says he is uninterested in her and will never be again. Earlier, she and Carter had been gossiping about the "fat cow from Chicago," which is how Jeannie learned about the whole thing. So once Tom says that it was not a business dinner, she flips out and smacks him, hurt that he would pick someone like Helen (an obese woman) over her. Carter looks on and apologizes for being rude about Helen, saying that he did not know she was his girlfriend. After a lot of pestering, he asks to see a picture and gets one from Tom. He then runs down the hall and shows everyone who laughs behind Tom's back about the "fat pig" he is dating. Throughout the rest of the play, Carter tries to convince Tom that he should "stick to his kind".

Meanwhile, Tom and Helen are falling more and more in love. One day, Helen informs Tom that she has been offered a better job in another town but does not want to leave him. She asks if she can meet his friends, but when he hesitates, she knows he is ashamed of her weight. But not wanting to give her that impression, he tells her that she will meet his friends when they have a work barbecue on the beach. The day arrives for the outing, but once they get there, they are secluded from every one, with the attendees making jokes and ridiculing Helen's weight behind her back. Seeing that Tom is embarrassed around her, which has led to him being ostracized by everyone he knows for dating an obese woman, Helen brings up her concerns. She gives Tom an ultimatum: either accept all of her, including defending her to his friends, or their relationship cannot work. He replies that he cannot handle it and that she should take the job in the other town. Both Tom and Helen walk away from each other, brokenhearted.

Character guide

Labute provides few details about the characters' lives besides the fact that they all work and are approximately the same age group.

Production history

Off-Broadway premiere

Fat Pig premiered Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in an MCC Theater production on November 23, 2004, in previews, officially on December 15. Directed by Jo Bonney, the cast was as follows: Ashlie Atkinson (Helen), Andrew McCarthy (Carter), Jeremy Piven (Tom), Keri Russell (Jeannie) (in her stage debut). [1] [2] This production was hailed as a provocative comedy that made the audience think. David Amsden said in New York Magazine,

"You emerge from his plays either praising him for the metaphoric slap in the face or wishing you knew where he lived, so you can hunt down the bastard and deliver a literal slap of your own. The guy is doing something right, in short... His cruel wit and chronicles of immoral moralizers have made him, arguably, the most legitimately provocative and polarizing playwright at work today." [2]

Labute Festival 2006

The play was showcased during the Labute Festival at the Studio Theatre in Washington D.C. The play featured Tyler Pierce as Tom. Kate Debelack played the role of Helen. [3]

2006 Madrid production

The play opened at Teatro Alcázar in Madrid in January 2006. Directed by Tamzin Townsend and with Luis Merlo as Tom, Teté Delgado as Helen, Iñaki Miramón and Lidia Otón.

2007 West Coast premiere production

The play made its West Coast Bay Area production in San Jose, at City Lights Theatre Company of San Jose, under the direction of Tom Gough, its former Artistic Director. [4] [5] It held a successful run, opening from January 25, 2007, to February 25, 2007, and received high praise. [6]

2007 Boston production

The play made its New England debut in Boston from March 16, 2007, to April 7, 2007, at the Boston Center for the Arts by the SpeakEasy Stage Company. The cast included James Ryen (Tom), Liliane Klein (Helen), Michael Daniel Anderson (Carter), and Laura Latreille (Jeannie). [7]

2007 Los Angeles production

The Los Angeles premiere was May 11, 2007, at the Geffen Playhouse's Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater, with a cast including Kirsten Vangsness as Helen, Scott Wolf as Tom, Chris Pine as Carter, and Andrea Anders as Jeannie. [8] The play, originally scheduled to run until June 10, 2007, was extended to July 1, 2007, with a new cast: original New York cast member Ashlie Atkinson as Helen, Joseph Sikora as Tom, Jon Bernthal as Carter, and Jamie Ray Newman as Jeannie. [8] [9]

2008 London production

Its United Kingdom premiere runs from May 27, 2008, at the Trafalgar Studios, London, with a cast including Ella Smith as Helen, Robert Webb as Tom, Kris Marshall as Carter and Joanna Page as Jeannie.

In August, it was announced that both Marshall and Webb would be stepping down from their roles and be replaced by Kevin Bishop and Nicholas Burns, respectively. [10] Also announced later in the same month was that Page would be stepping down from her role and would be replaced by Kelly Brook and Katie Kerr would replace Ella Smith in October 2008. [11]

On September 11, 2008, the play was shown at the Comedy Theatre.

2009 Colombian production

The Colombia premiere was on March 31 at the Teatro Nacional La Castellana in Bogota, with the cast Constanza Hernández as Helena, Fabián Mendoza as Tommy, Tatiana Rentería as Julia and Juan Sebastián Aragón. Directed by Mario Morgan. http://www.teatronacional.com.co/

2009 Berkeley/East Bay Area production

The play made its East Bay Area premiere in Berkeley, CA at the Aurora Theatre Company. Previews began on October 30, 2009, and opening night was November 5, 2009. [12] The play was directed by Barbara Damashek and featured Boston cast member Liliane Klein as Helen, Jud Williford as Tom, Peter Ruocco as Carter, and Alexandra Creighton as Jeannie. Originally scheduled to run through December 6, 2009, the play was extended one week through December 13, 2009. [13]

The production was hailed by SF Chronicle drama critic Robert Hurwitt, who wrote, "This is LaBute at the best of his bad-boy sensitive mode." [14] Arielle Little wrote in The Daily Californian :

"Playwright Neil LaBute's "Fat Pig"... is an alternately rude and heartwarming play with sweet moments, insults, and profanity. It is an all-out assault on the image-obsessed, morally craven culture that the current generation constantly is bombarded with and often embraces. And it is so good it is almost painful to watch. It is, in short, the type of theater we need to be seeing." [15]

2010 Philadelphia production

Theatre Horizon produced the play from April 9 - May 1, 2010. It was directed by Matthew Decker and featured Ed Renninger as Tom, Melissa Joy Hart as Helen, Paul Felder as Carter, and Erin Mulgrew as Jeannie.

2010 Mexico City production

As of April 2010, the show is currently staged in Mexico City at the Teatro Fernando Soler, in Spanish, with the title "Gorda" (literally, 'fat woman'). The play is set in Mexico. [16]

2010 São Paulo production

The show is staged in São Paulo at Teatro Procópio Ferreira. It premiered in the four of March 2010, and it's being produced until the end of May. [17] The play is titled "Gorda" (literally 'Fat Woman'). It is directed by the Argentinian Daniel Veronese, which also staged this version of the play for two years in Buenos Aires, Argentina. [17]

The play is set in Brazil, with the characters' names adapted accordingly. Helen (played by Fabiana Karla) became Helena; Tom became Tony (played by Michel Bercovitch, nominated for the Shell award for his performance in this play). [18] Carter, played by Mouhamed Harchouf became Caco and Jeannie became Joana played by Flávia Rubim. This same play was previously presented in Rio de Janeiro with the same cast.

2010 Hong Kong production

Fat Pig made its Asian premiere at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Studio from August 20, 2010, to August 29, 2010. It was translated by Chong Mui-Ngam and directed by Wong Long-Bun. Four young local actors were cast in the lead roles. [19]

2010 Nova Scotia production

Plutonium Playhouse's production ran November 18–21, 2010, as part of its Sex Festival program. [20] The play was directed by Natasha MacLellan, and starred Michael McPhee as Tom, Jessica Barry as Helen, Matthew Lumley as Carter and Stacy Smith as Jeannie. McPhee, Barry, and Lumley were all nominated for Robert Merritt Awards for the well-received production. [21]

2011 Broadway production

Josh Hamilton as Tom, HeatherJane Rolff as Helen, Dane Cook as Carter, and Julia Stiles as Jeannie was scheduled to star in a production at the Belasco Theatre on April 12, 2011, in previews and officially on April 26, 2011. This would have marked the Broadway directorial debut of Labute as well. [22] [23] However, before the show began it was postponed for financial reasons, with intent to reschedule it for the 2011-12 season instead. [24]

2013 Melbourne production

In February 2013, Melbourne production company Lab Kelpie Productions announced it would produce the play from October 8–20, 2013, at Chapel Off Chapel in Melbourne. Daniel Frederiksen has been attached to direct with Lyall Brooks and Lulu McClatchy in the title roles of Tom and Helen.

Awards and nominations

Related Research Articles

<i>The Sound of Music</i> Musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein, premiered in 1959

The Sound of Music is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Set in Austria on the eve of the Anschluss in 1938, the musical tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family while she decides whether to become a nun. She falls in love with the children, and eventually their widowed father, Captain von Trapp. He is ordered to accept a commission in the German navy, but he opposes the Nazis. He and Maria decide on a plan to flee Austria with the children. Many songs from the musical have become standards, including "Do-Re-Mi", "My Favorite Things", "Edelweiss", "Climb Ev'ry Mountain", and the title song "The Sound of Music".

<i>Company</i> (musical) 1970 musical comedy

Company is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. The original 1970 production was nominated for a record-setting 14 Tony Awards, winning six. Company was among the first book musicals to deal with contemporary dating, marriage, and divorce, and is a notable example of a concept musical lacking a linear plot. In a series of vignettes, Company follows bachelor Bobby interacting with his married friends, who throw a party for his 35th birthday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil LaBute</span> American playwright, film director and actor (born 1963)

Neil N. LaBute is an American playwright, film director, screenwriter, and actor. He is best known for a play that he wrote and later adapted for film, In the Company of Men (1997), which won awards from the Sundance Film Festival, the Independent Spirit Awards, and the New York Film Critics Circle. He wrote and directed the films Your Friends & Neighbors (1998), Possession (2002), The Shape of Things (2003), The Wicker Man (2006), Some Velvet Morning (2013), and Dirty Weekend (2015). He directed the films Nurse Betty (2000), Lakeview Terrace (2008), and the American adaptation of Death at a Funeral (2010). LaBute created the TV series Billy & Billie, writing and directing all of the episodes. He is also the creator of the TV series Van Helsing. Recently, he executive produced, co-directed and co-wrote Netflix's The I-Land. He also directed several episodes for shows such as Hell on Wheels and Billions.

<i>Tick, Tick... Boom!</i> Musical by Jonathan Larson

Tick, Tick... Boom! is a musical by Jonathan Larson. It tells the story of an aspiring composer named Jon, who lives in New York City in 1990. Jon is worried he has made the wrong career choice to be part of the performing arts. The story is semi-autobiographical, as stated by Larson's father in the liner notes of the cast recording – Larson had been trying to establish himself in theater since the early 1980s.

Three Tall Women is a two-act play by Edward Albee that premiered at Vienna's English Theatre in 1991. The three unnamed women, one in her 90s, one in her 50s, and one in her 20s, are referred to in the script as A, B, and C. The character of A, the oldest woman, is based in part on Albee's mother. In the first act, B is the caretaker and C is the lawyer for A, while in the second act they become personifications of A from earlier in her life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lily Rabe</span> American actress (born 1982)

Lily Rabe is an American actress. She is best known for her multiple roles on the FX anthology horror series American Horror Story (2011–2021). For her performance as Portia in the Broadway production of The Merchant of Venice, she received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.

Bash: Latterday Plays is a collection of three dark one-act plays written by Neil LaBute. Each play is an exploration of the complexities of evil in everyday life. Two of the works, "iphigenia in orem" and "medea redux" have direct Greek influence, specifically Iphigenia in Aulis and Medea by Euripides. In production, the three short mono-duet dramas are presented in varying orders and sometimes omitting one or two of the works. In publication, however, the plays are presented in the following order: "iphigenia in orem" followed by "a gaggle of saints" and concluding with "medea redux". The plays premiered at the Douglas Fairbanks Theater in New York City for a limited run on June 24, 1999 and featured performances by Ron Eldard, Calista Flockhart and Paul Rudd under Joe Mantello's direction. They were later shown on cable television. The director, as well as the set and sound designer of the New York production, transferred the show to London's fringe Almeida Theatre for a similarly limited run in February and March of 2000 with a new cast of Mary McCormack, Matthew Lillard, and Zeljko Ivanek. The plays had a regional US debut at TheatreZone's Actors Workshop in Boston, directed by Danielle Fauteux Jacques. They were later produced in 2003 by Pittsburgh's barebones productions, directed by Jeffrey M. Cordell.

<i>Nine</i> (musical) 1982 American stage musical

Nine is a musical initiated by and with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and a book by Arthur Kopit. It is based on the 1963 film 8½.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regina Taylor</span> American actress (born 1960)

Regina Taylor is an American actress and playwright. She has won several awards throughout her career, including a Golden Globe Award and NAACP Image Award. In July 2017, Taylor was announced as the new Denzel Washington Endowed Chair in Theater at Fordham University.

Joshua Cole Hamilton is an American actor. He received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his performance in the hit indie film Eighth Grade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MCC Theater</span> American theater company

MCC Theater is an off-Broadway theater company located in New York City. The theater was founded in 1986 by artistic directors Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey and William Cantler. Blake West joined the company in 2006 as executive director. MCC opened its current location in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, as The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space, on January 9, 2019.

<i>In the Heights</i> 2005 musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda

In the Heights is a musical with concept, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes. The story is set over the course of three days, involving characters in the largely Dominican American neighborhood of Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan, New York City.

<i>Hedwig and the Angry Inch</i> (musical) Rock musical

Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Trask and a book by John Cameron Mitchell. The musical follows Hedwig Robinson, a genderqueer East German singer of a fictional rock and roll band. The story draws on Mitchell's life as the child of a U.S. Army major general who once commanded the U.S. sector of occupied West Berlin. The character of Hedwig was inspired by a German divorced U.S. Army wife who was Mitchell's family babysitter and moonlighted as a prostitute at her trailer park home in Junction City, Kansas. The music is steeped in the androgynous 1970s glam rock style of David Bowie, as well as the work of John Lennon and early punk performers Lou Reed and Iggy Pop.

<i>The Shape of Things</i> 2003 American film

The Shape of Things is a 2003 romantic drama film written and directed by Neil LaBute, based on his eponymous play. It stars Paul Rudd, Rachel Weisz, Gretchen Mol and Fred Weller. The story is set in a small university town in the American Midwest and focuses on the lives of four young students who become emotionally and romantically involved with each other. The film's central themes are stoicism, the limits of art, psychopathy, intimacy, and people's willingness to do things for love.

<i>Reasons to Be Pretty</i> Play written by Neil LaBute

Reasons to Be Pretty is a play by Neil LaBute, his first to be staged on Broadway. The plot centers on four young working class friends and lovers who become increasingly dissatisfied with their dead-end lives and each other. Following The Shape of Things and Fat Pig, it is the final installment of a trilogy that focuses on modern-day obsession with physical appearance.

<i>End of the Rainbow</i>

End of the Rainbow is a musical drama by Peter Quilter, which focuses on Judy Garland in the months leading up to her death in 1969. After a premiere in Sydney, Australia in 2005, the show has played on the West End in London and a Broadway production opened at the Belasco Theatre in 2012. The award-winning 2019 film Judy starring Renée Zellweger is a screen adaptation of the play for which Zellweger won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Garland.

Ashley Elizabeth "Ashlie" Atkinson is an American character actress who works in movies and television – as well as in theater. Atkinson is known for her work as Ace on Happy!, Peaches in the Netflix film Juanita, Connie in the Spike Lee film BlacKkKlansman, and Janice in the fourth season of Mr. Robot.

Liliane Patricia Zoe Klein is an American theatre and television actress, singer, and plus-size model.

Leigh Silverman is an American director for the stage, both off-Broadway and on Broadway. She was nominated for the 2014 Tony Award, Best Direction of a Musical for the musical Violet and the 2008 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Director of a Play for the play From Up Here.

<i>Fat Pig</i> (opera) Opera by Matt Boehler

Fat Pig is a chamber opera by composer Matt Boehler and librettist Miriam Gordon-Stewart, based on the 2004 play by Neil LaBute. The opera was commissioned and developed by Victory Hall Opera in 2020, and had its world premiere in Charlottesville, Virginia, in January 2022.

References

  1. ↑ Simonson, Robert (December 15, 2004). "Neil LaBute Weighs Weight Issue in MCC Drama Fat Pig, Opening Dec. 15". Playbill. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Labute, Neil. Fat Pig. Faber and Faber, Inc., 2004. New York.
  3. ↑ Marks, Peter (January 10, 2006). "In 'Fat Pig,' a Slim Chance for True Love". Washington Post. pp. Page C01. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
  4. ↑ "Fat Pig weighs in on body-consciousness in a new way" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Stage Scene". Inside Bay Area. January 25, 2007. Archived from the original on January 28, 2007.
  6. ↑ "Fat Pig | City Lights Theater Company". Artsopolis.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  7. ↑ Kennedy, Louise (March 20, 2007). "In provocative play, some weighty issues". The Boston Globe.
  8. 1 2 "L.A.'s Geffen Playhouse Extends 'Fat Pig' through July 1". BroadwayWorld. May 29, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  9. ↑ Sims, James (June 25, 2007). "'Fat Pig' Extends at Geffen with New Cast". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  10. ↑ Herbert, Rebecca (2008-08-11). "Bishop and Burns to take on Fat Pig roles". The Stage . Archived from the original on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  11. ↑ Fletcher, Alex (2008-08-29). "Kelly Brook to appear in 'Fat Pig'". Digital Spy . Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  12. ↑ Fuge, Tristan (2009-09-11). "Liliane Klein, Jud Williford, Alexandra Creighton, Peter Ruocco Set for Fat Pig at Aurora Theatre". TheaterMania. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  13. ↑ Sierra, Gabrielle (November 17, 2009). "Aurora Extends FAT PIG Through 12/13". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  14. ↑ Hurwitt, Robert (November 10, 2009). "Theater review: A lot to love about 'Fat Pig'". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  15. ↑ Little, Arielle (November 9, 2009). "'Fat Pig' Takes the Prize at Aurora Theatre". The Daily Californian. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Mejor Teatro". Mejor Teatro. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  17. 1 2 "Gorda, De Neil Labute Em São Paulo" [Gorda, by Neil Labute in São Paulo]. Teatro Procópio Ferreira (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 16, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Prêmio Shell de Teatro anuncia finalistas da 22ª edição no Rio" [Shell Theater Award announces finalists for the 22nd edition in Rio]. Shell.com (in Portuguese). January 6, 2010. Archived from the original on May 11, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Hong Kong Theater: Fat Pig". HK Magazine . Archived from the original on 2013-05-13.
  20. ↑ Watson, Kate. "Theatre Review: Fat Pig at Plutonium Playhouse". The Coast Weekly. Coast Publishing Inc. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  21. ↑ "The 2011 Robert Merritt Awards Nominees and Winners List" (PDF). Theatre Nova Scotia Official Website. Theatre Nova Scotia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  22. ↑ Lewis, Jessica (2010-11-18). "Dane Cook & Josh Hamilton Bring FAT PIG to Broadway in 2011; LaBute Directs". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  23. ↑ Gans, Andrew (January 4, 2011). "Julia Stiles Will Join Dane Cook and Josh Hamilton for Broadway's Fat Pig at the Belasco". Playbill. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  24. ↑ Saad, Nardine (March 17, 2011). "Dane Cook-Julia Stiles Broadway play 'Fat Pig' postponed". Los Angeles Times .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.