Those who do not wish to have their faith in love shaken should not see The Shape of Things (TST), which opens Wednesday night at the Center for the Arts Black Box Theater.
Directed by Robert Knopf, TST features a cast of only four characters played by Jordan Levin, Sarah Brown, Valerie Yawien and Patrick Cameron. The small cast, along with masterful set design, directorial choices and the sound design by Amelia Knopf, fosters a strong sense of intimacy with each character. The connection between the players and audience makes this bizarre endeavor considerably haunting.
Written by Neil Labute (In the Company of Men), TST follows Adam (Levin), an English Lit major in his mid 20s, as he meets, courts and falls in love with Evelyn (Brown). Evelyn, grad student studying sculpture, slowly transforms Adam into the ideal mate through a series of increasingly ominous manipulations.
Mr. Knopf is quite pleased with this effect and credits its potency to the offstage relationship between cast and crew.
"Of all the University shows I've done, (this one is) the most cohesive," said Knopf.
Complimenting the actors' performances is the set itself, designed to allow audience members to either sit on raised platforms above the action or in between portions of the stage.
The effect is meant to create a strong feeling of either separateness or voyeurism. Mr. Knopf likens the raised platforms to a "medical amphitheater," and considering that the platforms loom over the stage on all four sides of the theater, he isn't embellishing.
Issues explored by TST will resonate strongly with people in their early 20s. There are strong veins of anxiety, depression and fear, not to mention the question of what role power and dominance should play in a healthy relationship.
The last half hour of the play is when the cast reaches its full potential. The twist at the end is darkly amusing and deliciously evil, and even the best natured person will be hard-pressed not to crack a smile.
The performance here is honest, powerful and haunting. To anyone who has ever been in love, the resolution is downright disturbing.
"This is the kind of show that stays with you," Brown said.
The overall effect of watching this play will be one of immersion and vulnerability. The ending will confuse the audience, not because the action is unclear, but because the moral ambiguity of The Shape of Things does not allow for the luxury of right and wrong. No one is innocent; there are only shades of grey.
The Shape of Things will be performed Wednesday Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. through the matinee Sunday showing at 2 p.m. Tickets, available in the CFA box office, are $8 for students and $16 for the public.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
