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Neil LaBute

Birth Place: Detroit, MI, USA

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BIO

Neil LaBute received his Master of Fine Arts degree in dramatic writing from New York University and was the recipient of a literary fellowship to study at the Royal Court Theatre. Films include In the Company of Men (New York Critics Circle Award for Best First Feature, Filmmakers’ Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival), Your Friends and Neighbors, Nurse Betty, Possession, The Shape of Things — a film adaptation of his play by the same title — The Wicker Man, Lakeview Terrace and Death at a Funeral. Plays include bash: reasons to be pretty, latter-day plays, The Shape of Things, The Distance From Here, The Mercy Seat, Autobahn, This Is How It Goes, Some Girl(s), Wrecks, In a Dark Dark House, Helter Skelter, The Furies and The War on Terror. LaBute is the author of several fictional pieces that have been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar and Playboy, among others. A collection of his short stories was published by Grove/Atlantic.

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Productions

The Way We Get ByThe Way We Get By
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Playwright
The Money ShotThe Money Shot
 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Writer
Reasons to be HappyReasons to be Happy
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Director
Fat PigFat Pig
 
[Broadway, 2012] Cancelled
Director
Reasons to Be PrettyReasons to Be Pretty
 
[West End, 2011]
Director
Wrecks
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Director
The Mercy Seat
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Director
The Shape of Things
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Director

Writing

Some Girl(s)
Playwright
Wrecks
Playwright
Fat Pig
Playwright
The Mercy Seat
Playwright

Awards and Nominations


winner
The Lortels - 2013 - Playwrights’ Sidewalk Inductee

Neil LaBute

Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Play

Neil LaBute, reasons to be pretty

Olivier Awards - 2009 - Best New Comedy

Neil LaButeFat Pig

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Play

Neil LaBute, Reasons to Be Pretty


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Play

Neil LaBute, The Shape of Things

Videos

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News


Full Cast Set For UK Premiere of HOW TO FIGHT LONELINESS Photo
Full Cast Set For UK Premiere of HOW TO FIGHT LONELINESS
by Stephi Wild - Mar 6, 2025

The full cast has been announced for the UK première of Neil LaBute’s How to Fight Loneliness at Park Theatre. Stratford East’s newly appointed Artistic Director, Lisa Spirling directs.
Video: Amanda Seyfried Confirms New Musical Film ANN LEE Is Coming in 2025 Photo
Video: Amanda Seyfried Confirms New Musical Film ANN LEE Is Coming in 2025
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 5, 2025

Amanda Seyfried reveals details about her 2025 musical film ANN LEE and hints at Mamma Mia 3 developments during her appearance on The Tonight Show.
Neil LaBute's COMFORT Begins This April At NJ Rep Photo
Neil LaBute's COMFORT Begins This April At NJ Rep
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 27, 2025

New Jersey Repertory Company (NJRep) continues its 28th season with Neil LaBute's Comfort, directed by Evan Bergman. The production runs from April 17 to May 11, 2025.
Jane Lynch, Sharon Lawrence, Gina Torres, John Ross Bowie And More Set For PARENTS IN Photo
Jane Lynch, Sharon Lawrence, Gina Torres, John Ross Bowie And More Set For PARENTS IN CHAINS World Premiere
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 21, 2025

Ensemble Theatre Company has announced additional casting for an add-on production to its season, the world premiere of a new comedy, PARENTS IN CHAINS, written by Emmy and Peabody award-winner Jay Martel and directed by Andy Fickman.
Video: Amanda Seyfried Stars in Peacock's LONG BRIGHT RIVER Trailer Photo
Video: Amanda Seyfried Stars in Peacock's LONG BRIGHT RIVER Trailer
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 20, 2025

Peacock has released a new trailer for the thriller series Long Bright River, starring Amanda Seyfried. All eight episodes of the show premiere exclusively on Peacock Thursday, March 13. Watch the trailer!
Joanna Pickering's New Play LARA'S JOURNEY Will Be Directed By Karen Carpenter Photo
Joanna Pickering's New Play LARA'S JOURNEY Will Be Directed By Karen Carpenter
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2025

Joanna Pickering's new one-act play, Lara's Journey, will have its debut performance in The Spark Theater Festival, on March 6th, at 7pm, at the Chain Theater (312 W 36th Street, New York City).
SISYPHEAN QUICK FIX Comes to Riverside Studios Photo
SISYPHEAN QUICK FIX Comes to Riverside Studios
by Stephi Wild - Feb 3, 2025

Based on lived experience, writer and performer Bettina Paris explores how the complexities of alcohol addiction can affect families and family relationships. Learn more here!
Photos: First-Look at Amanda Seyfried in Peacock's LONG BRIGHT RIVER Photo
Photos: First-Look at Amanda Seyfried in Peacock's LONG BRIGHT RIVER
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 28, 2025

Peacock has released new first-look photos of Amanda Seyfried in the thriller series Long Bright River. The show is set to stream Thursday, March 24. Take a look at the images here!
Joanna Pickering's New Play CEASE AND DESIST to be presented at Theater 555 Photo
Joanna Pickering's New Play CEASE AND DESIST to be presented at Theater 555
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 27, 2025

Playwright Joanna Pickering is set to unveil her psychological thriller, Cease and Desist, with its first performances in New York City in March. Learn more about the play.
Joanna Pickering's New Work CEASE AND DESIST Will Be Performed at Theater 555
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 24, 2025

Playwright Joanna Pickering is set to unveil her psychological thriller, Cease and Desist, with its first performances in New York City this February and March. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Video: Amanda Seyfried Learns Family Secret in FINDING YOUR ROOTS Clip Photo
Video: Amanda Seyfried Learns Family Secret in FINDING YOUR ROOTS Clip
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 7, 2025

In the Season 11 premiere of PBS's acclaimed series Finding Your Roots, host Henry Louis Gates Jr. guides Amanda Seyfried on an emotional journey into her ancestry. Watch a clip now.
Amanda Seyfried Discusses Viral 'Popular' Video and WICKED Auditions: 'It Was a Very Photo
Amanda Seyfried Discusses Viral 'Popular' Video and WICKED Auditions: 'It Was a Very Long Process'
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 16, 2024

Amanda Seyfried has addressed the Glinda-shaped elephant in the room. In a new interview, the Les Miserables star explained that the recently surfaced video of her singing Wicked's Popular was, in fact, not her actual audition for the movie.
Amanda Seyfried to Star in New Musical Movie ANN LEE About Religious Leader Photo
Amanda Seyfried to Star in New Musical Movie ANN LEE About Religious Leader
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 12, 2024

Amanda Seyfried has wrapped filming on Ann Lee, a musical based on the story of Mother Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shaker Movement. She will appear in the film alongside Thomasin McKenzie, Lewis Pullman, and more.
WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST is Now Playing at Gracemoon Arts Company Photo
WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST is Now Playing at Gracemoon Arts Company
by Stephi Wild - Nov 27, 2024

What We're Up Against by Theresa Rebeck is now playing at Gracemoon Arts in Bushwick. Learn more about the production and find out how to get tickets here!
David Schwimmer and James Oh Join Lookingglass Theatre Company Board Photo
David Schwimmer and James Oh Join Lookingglass Theatre Company Board
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 25, 2024

After pausing its operations last year to reorganize and create a new business model, Chicago’s Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company is welcoming two new Board members as it prepares to reopen January 30, 2025. Learn more!
Eva Noblezada, James Lapine and More Join York Theatre Company Gala Honoring Bernadet Photo
Eva Noblezada, James Lapine and More Join York Theatre Company Gala Honoring Bernadette Peters And Ted Snowdon
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 8, 2024

The York Theatre Company announced additional performers for its gala honoring Bernadette Peters and Ted Snowdon on November 11 at The Edison Ballroom, promising a memorable evening of celebration.
Review: HAIRSPRAY Revivals in São Paulo with a Beautiful Message of Acceptance Photo
Review: HAIRSPRAY Revivals in São Paulo with a Beautiful Message of Acceptance
by Claudio Erlichman - Oct 15, 2024

A girl achieves her dream of performing on a TV dance show in 1960s Baltimore — and works to integrate the show — in this musical version of the John Waters film. Outside of traditional beauty standards, she faces many prejudices, become an instant celebrity, and fight against racial segregation promoting inclusion of everyone in the city.
THE GIFT & More Set for Park Theatre Spring 2025 Season Photo
THE GIFT & More Set for Park Theatre Spring 2025 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 8, 2024

Park Theatre revealed its first six openings for spring 2025, featuring dark comedy, drama, and interactive shows. The season will feature comedy THE GIFT, exploring past transgressions and much more. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.
Neil LaBute's HOW TO FIGHT LONELINESS Will Make UK Premiere in 2025 Photo
Neil LaBute's HOW TO FIGHT LONELINESS Will Make UK Premiere in 2025
by Stephi Wild - Oct 8, 2024

The UK première of Neil LaBute’s How to Fight Loneliness, directed by Lisa Spirling, will open at Park Theatre in 2025.
TH IR DS Comes to the Zephyr in Hollywood This Week Photo
TH IR DS Comes to the Zephyr in Hollywood This Week
by Stephi Wild - Sep 4, 2024

In an alternate timeline of American history in which the Civil War was never fought, America stands divided into three separate countries: The Union, The Confederate, and The Pacific States of America.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Neil LaBute written?

Neil LaBute has written 17 shows including The Shape of Things (Playwright), The Mercy Seat (Playwright), The Distance From Here (Playwright), Escape: 6 Ways to Get Away (1) (Playwright), Fat Pig (Playwright), Escape: 6 Ways to Get Away (2) (Playwright), This Is How It Goes (Playwright), Some Girl(s) (Playwright), Wrecks (Playwright), In a Dark Dark House (Playwright), reasons to be pretty (Playwright), The Break of Noon (Playwright), Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays (Playwright), Reasons to be Happy (Playwright), The Way We Get By (Playwright), Reasons to be Pretty Happy (Playwright), All the Ways to Say I Love You (Writer).

What awards has Neil LaBute been nominated for?

Playwrights’ Sidewalk Inductee (The Lortels), Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for reasons to be pretty, Best New Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Fat Pig, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Reasons to Be Pretty and Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Shape of Things.

What awards has Neil LaBute won?

Neil LaBute has received several prestigious awards, including being inducted as a Playwrights’ Sidewalk Inductee at The Lortels. He also won the Outstanding Play award at the Drama Desk Awards for his work on The Shape of Things.

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