REBECCA HALE
Staff Writer
The final production in the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series, “The Shape of Things,” is set to premier this weekend in Bartlett theatre. “The Shape of Things” is a small and modern play with only four cast members, making it a very intimate and relatable show.
The play, written by Neil LaBute, is set at Mercy College in a small town and stars nerd Adam Sorenson, played by Kevin Stevens; Evelyn Ann Thompson, an artsy girl played by Danielle Izzo; Philip, Adam’s friend, played by Nick Stevens and Jenny, Philip’s girlfriend, played by Taylor Sheehan.
After Adam becomes smitten with Evelyn, they begin dating, but Evelyn convinces Adam to change his lifestyle in order to become more attractive. Philip and Jenny approve and are happy for Adam at first but, after a while, things begin to get out of hand.
Izzo, a junior dual acting and dance major, commented on Evelyn’s personality and role within the show.
“She has a fiery personality. She’s very passionate about her views as an artist. It’s been fun to play Evelyn because of her aggressive personality,” she said.
William Verno, a junior majoring in both business administration and theatre arts, is stage manager for “The Shape of Things,” and gave a little insight to technicalities of the production.
“The play is extremely contemporary, so, during the designing process, we wanted to go with a super contemporary theme while still being functional. The principal characters first meet in a museum, so we have an exhibit-like motif and feeling going on throughout the entire show.”
He also noted that two unique aspects of “The Shape of Things” include sound design by Colin Braeger and lighting design by Justin Petito.
“The music for this show is upbeat and will certainly have you moving in your seat. With such a minimal set it brings so many awesome opportunities for lighting, and Justin definitely delivers.”
Director, Dr. Jessica Hillman-McCord, also commented on the unique set design,which is similar to an art exhibit.
“The set is really a work of art in itself, appropriate for a play which deals with questions about the nature and morality of art.”
She also explained why she chose to direct this play as the final Mainstage show.
“Neil LaBute, the playwright, is one of the most exciting contemporary playwrights working right now, so I wanted to direct one of his plays,” she said. “He always writes provocative, fascinating plays that push our boundaries and ask important questions, and ‘The Shape of Things’ is one of his best works, in my opinion.”
Since the play is within a college setting and is about students who all have different personalities, it is very relatable to students at SUNY Fredonia.
“College students would enjoy it because it’s about a group of college students,” Izzo said.
Sheehan, junior BFA acting major continued. “The style is very conversational and it’s very easy to follow along and relates to almost everybody in the cast because every character, to the naked eye, is one stereotype,” she said.
“Jenny is the sweet girl next door and Philip is the cool, popular guy. Evelyn is the artsy one and Adam is the nerd, but if you delve deeper into each character, there’s so much more depth than that,” Sheehan added. “It’s almost like there are parts of everybody in everybody else, and with the progression of the play, it’s really the ending you’re waiting for.”
Izzo talked about the underlying themes beneath the seemingly innocent interactions between characters, but said that she didn’t want to spoil the ending for anyone.
“It brings up a lot of really good questions about morality, and I think that’s interesting,” she said. “It’s one of those things where you’re gonna walk away from it and question your own life.”
The cast has worked hard and fast to put “The Shape of Things” together, as they only began rehearsals after spring break. Good Friday was the first time they were able to put everything together in Bartlett in their first tech rehearsal.
“It’s been a very fast rehearsal period, which gives the actors challenges and a sense of real-world rehearsal pace,” said Hillman-McCord.
The cast has had help, though, with Verno, Hillman-McCord, costume designer Noel O’Day and various technicians, including scene designer Chad Healy, lighting designer Justin Petito, sound designer Colin Braeger and props by Allen Wheaton and Patrick Fray.
“This has been the fastest experience I’ve been in but it’s really pushed us to get our stuff together,” said Sheehan.
“The Shape of Things” will play this Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. as well as April 27 at 2 p.m.. Next weekend it will play May 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. and finally, May 3 at 2 p.m. in the Bartlett Theatre in Rockefeller Arts Center.
“It’s literally a roller coaster in every scene,” Sheehan promises.