Eagle Theatre presents THE SHAPE OF THINGS
By: A.A. Cristi Sep. 15, 2017
THE SHAPE OF THINGS, Eagle Theatre's latest production, opens Friday, September 15th. This razor-sharp dramedy premiered in London, England at the Almedia Theatre in May 2001. By 2003, it was adapted into featured film, starring Paul Rudd, and directed by author, Neil LaBute. Sixteen years later, the play makes its way back to the stage, and with the help of smart phones, updated wardrobe, pop-culture references, and a modern day soundtrack, it is every bit as relevant today.
Co-Artistic Director Ed Corsi made plans long before rehearsal to give the play a fresh take by incorporating radio hits. Corsi states "In the 2001 production, the music of Smashing Pumpkins was used to score scene changes. The 2003 film featured a soundtrack by Elvis Costello. My affinity for the power of music has no bounds... I appreciate music that tells a story. Set in 2017, our production features the music of Bruno Mars, Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers, Sia, Julia Michaels, and Shawn Mendez."
The 2003 film contained the staring cast of the original stage production, including; Paul Rudd, Gretchen Mol, Rachel Weisz, and Frederick Weller. Weller received a Lucille Lortel award form his performance. Eagle Theatre's Khalil McMillan, filled the shoes of the Weller role with an open mind, while steering clear of any previous interpretations of the role. McMillian claims, "Before we began production I watched a few clips of LaBute's The Shape of Things to get the general feel of it but didn't want to watch it fully so that I'd be open to whatever direction we took it. Performing in a show that has also been a movie can be both intimidating and exciting at the same time. With plays/books turned into movies, or movies turned into plays, people sometimes have an expectation of consistency across each medium. I distinctly remember being shushed at the movies by both children and adults when I loudly blurted "Wait but he didn't do the Potions riddle yet?!" at the end of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. As I've gotten older, I've been able to enjoy books, musicals, movies, and plays as separate entities and appreciate the intricacies that each of them can bring to the table. With our up close and intimate stage, a colorful array of characters, and the interactive art exhibit, and wine lounge), I think that audiences will definitely be able to do the same here."
Maggie Griffin-Smith, the female lead, made famous by Hollywood's Rachel Weisz, relishes in the challenge of making the role her own, claiming, "It's always fun doing a play or musical that's been adapted into a movie because it's an accessible method of researching interpretations of a role. In our case, the time and place have been altered so although I first saw and fell in love with the movie, we've modernized it, so if you're familiar with it, you'll be getting something different with a new edge when you sit down with our production."
In addition to the captivating production, audiences will gain access to Eagle Theatre's onsite, pre-show, art exhibit. Each week of the run, a new artist or art organization will present their work; including Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University (9/15 - 9/17), Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts (9/20 - 9/24), ArtC - South Jersey Artists (9/27 - 10/1), Perkins Center for the Arts (10/4 - 10/8) and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (10/11 - 10/15).
Griffin-Smith concluded "The art exhibits perfectly sets the audience's mind into the world we're creating with the play. My character rolls her eyes several times in the show about small towns and their lack of art or appreciation for it, so ironically, Hammonton's local artists join us at The Eagle and prove just how wrong she is."
Eagle Theatre, South Jersey's only year-round Professional Equity Theatre, is dedicated to redefining regional theatre. The theatre produces more than 160 live performances each year, including full-scale Broadway caliber World Premieres and re-conceptualized revivals; New Works Development Series play readings; a traveling Theatre for Youth Audiences program, specializing in providing arts education to schools in under served communities; an Annual Fringe Festival, a 3-day street fair and theatrical marathon, featuring multiple eclectic productions, a beer and wine garden, pop-up art, food, live music, and street performers; and Eagle Theatre Conservatory, a year-round tuition based theatrical institute for all ages and levels of professionalism.
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