By Miguel Gastelum
University Theatre is pleased to present “Fat Pig” written by Neil LaBute. The Fresno premiere is directed by Brad Myers and runs November 1 – 9, 2019 in the Dennis & Cheryl Woods Theatre in the Speech Arts building on the campus of Fresno State.
Tickets are $17 for adults; $15 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni and military; and $10 for all students. Children under 5 not admitted. Group rates are available for groups of 20 or more. Box office hours are noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays and one hour before each performance.
“Cow.” “Slob.” “Pig.” How many insults can you hear before you have to stand up and defend the woman you love? Tom faces just that question when he falls for Helen, a bright, funny, sexy young woman who happens to be plus-sized and then some. Forced to explain his new relationship to his shallow (although shockingly funny) friends, Tom comes to terms with his own preconceptions of the importance of conventional good looks.
Neil LaBute’s sharply drawn play not only critiques our slavish adherence to Hollywood ideals of beauty but boldly questions our own ability to change what we dislike about ourselves.
“Neil LaBute doesn’t write plays which portray the world as he wishes it could be; rather he writes plays which depict the world as he believes it is,” says Myers. “Such is the case with LaBute’s dark comedy, ‘Fat Pig’, in which the central character, Tom, falls in love with a very plus-sized woman, Helen. As Tom’s feelings for Helen intensify, so does the ridicule from Tom’s co-workers, Carter and Jeannie. Will Tom find the courage to pursue his passion for Helen? Or will he succumb to the pressures of a culture that deems rotund women unworthy?”
The cast includes Arium Andrews, Hannah Berry, Jimmy Haynie, and Andrew Mickelson.
November 1 – 2 & November 5 – 9 performances begin at 7:30 p.m. November 3 performance begins at 2:00 p.m. Latecomers will not be permitted.
Parking is free for shows on Friday through Sunday night. For shows on Tuesday through Thursday night, parking permits are $5 and can be purchased at dispensers in parking lots on campus.
For more information, contact the box office at 559.278.2216 or universitytheatre@csufresno.edu.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 