photo: Wayne Karl
Are Americans so shallow that they judge a person solely by his appearance? According to Neil LaBute, we are that vapid, obsessed with the young, the attractive and the perfectly-proportioned body. But what about the majority of our population carrying a few extra pounds—don't they deserve happiness as well?
Profile Theatre's serio-comedy, "Fat Pig," is a scathing indictment of our perception of the body that also says a great deal about peer pressure, especially as it relates to affairs of the heart and opinions in the workplace.
Tom, the play's central character, is told, "I'm not talking about what people deserve, I'm saying what they get. You look one way, you have access to all this...look some other way and all you get is that."
"This" refers to envious salaries and dating beautiful people; "that" refers to Helen, the Rubens-esque heroine who gives the play its title and is the new object of Tom's affection. But Tom is cruelly bombarded by his coworkers' reactions to his romance, particularly by Jeannie, the office accountant whom Tom once dated. Defending his romantic involvement with Helen, Tom tells them "...things aren't just based on appearance." Unfortunately in society, as mirrored in this play, the truth is often otherwise.
The play's four actors are extraordinarily strong and believable in their roles. The audience, sitting as close to the play's action as if in their own living rooms, might feel as like they are really eavesdropping on these events.
As Tom, Darrell W. Cox displays a handsome, boyish charm and innocence in his flirtation and ultimate romance with Helen. His constant laughter and joking is at first charming, but later becomes infuriating as he is unable to defend his love for Helen. Deborah Hearst is endearing and vulnerable as the plus-size Helen. Used to being the brunt of fat jokes, she cautiously lets down her guard as she falls in love with Tom.
Eric Burgher drives the co-worker Carter with a smarmy and obnoxious candor typical of LaBute's characters. As Tom's jilted coworker, Katie Crawford's Jeannie brings fierceness to the role, leaving no question about her pain and humiliation.
This sometimes humorous, often brutally cruel play, is simply but stylishly staged, designed to leave you breathless with its raw emotion and honesty.
"Fat Pig" runs through Feb. 25 at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway, Chicago. Shows 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets run $20-$35; call (773) 549-1815.
