Trustus Theatre Closes REASONS TO BE PRETTY 11/13

After a successful re-mount of RENT, Trustus Theatre returns with the Tony nominated comedy Reasons to Be Pretty, a new show by Neil LaBute that just finished a stint on Broadway in 2009. This hilarious comedy about dating in modern America will open on Friday October 22nd, at 8:00pm and run through Saturday November 13, 2010.

Reasons to Be Pretty starts with a bang. As the lights come up on the first scene, the audience is introduced to Greg and his girlfriend Steph who are deep in an argument over something Greg said at his friend's house. When it's revealed that Greg said his girlfriend's face is "regular", all hell breaks loose...even though Greg meant it as a compliment. Trying to get support from his friend Kent proves difficult, seeing that Kent checks out every woman at work even though he's married to an absolute fox. And when Kent confides in Greg concerning some questionable behavior, Greg finds himself at odds with everyone in his life. Greg is then challenged to mature and take control of his life, which is quickly spinning out of his control.

When Trustus Associate Artistic Director Dewey Scott-Wiley came to Trustus company member and director Chad Henderson with the piece, he was ecstatic. "Trustus is producing many musicals this year," said Henderson, "but this is one of the only non-musicals we're doing this year, but it was one of those shows we just had to do. First of all, these characters are hilarious...but the lesson learned from this show provides a healthier outlook on dating in our American society where advertising and media tells us what the standards of beauty are." The message of the show is so powerful that is received Tony nominations as well as Drama Desk Award nominations.
Reasons to Be Pretty is the third in a trilogy written by Neil LaBute, the popular American playwright who also penned the other shows in the trilogy: The Shape of Things and Fat Pig. "I've seen and read a lot of LaBute shows," said Director Chad Henderson, "and the thing that struck me about Reasons to Be Pretty is that it left me feeling hopeful about society and the characters in the show, whereas his other shows have moved me but left me...well kind of depressed and pessimistic. This play is a refreshing change of pace."

Trustus Theatre, in an effort to bring new faces to its Main Stage, was happy to produce a show which would bring in some new and energetic talents. Director Chad Henderson constructed a cast that would blast onto the stage and take the audience to this lower middle-class world where 20-somethings are working to survive and finding their way through the world on their own. Playing Greg, the ill-fated character who calls his girlfriend "regular", is recent USC graduate Trey Hobbs (Arabian Nights, Cyrano de Bergerac). Trustus Company Member Elisabeth Gray Heard (Hair, Rabbit Hole) will be taking on the role of Steph, Greg's girlfriend. Charlie Stabile (Kid Simple), another USC graduate, will be Kent, Greg's chauvinistic work-friend who basically wants to bed anything that moves. Finally, Rachel Smith (Gypsy, The Rocky Horror Show) will be portraying Carly, Kent's foxy wife who's the security guard at Greg and Kent's workplace. "I'm very excited about this cast," said Henderson. "They're doing amazing work and doing something which is hard to find in Columbia: creating reality on the stage."
Reasons to Be Pretty will be a unique theatrical gem in this season which is full of musicals. Audiences seeking a night of laughs and thought-provoking material will be pleased to find themselves at Trustus this fall. Neil LaBute's Reasons to Be Pretty will open Friday October 22nd at 8:00pm, and run through Saturday November 13, 2010.
Trustus Theatre is located at 520 Lady Street, behind the Gervais St. Publix. Parking is available on Lady St. and on Pulaski St. The main stage entrance is located on the Publix side of the building.

For more reservations or information call the box office Tuesdays through Saturdays 1-6 pm at 803-254-9732. Visit www.trustus.org for all show information and season info.

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