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‘Fat Pig' uses humor to show that slenderness can't bring happiness
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By Rosa Ruiz
rosa@newstribune.com
Three slices of pizza, several pieces of garlic bread, a salad and chocolate pudding is a fat pig's meal. But not just any fat pig's meal, Helen's meal. Sound harsh? It might, but it is as also a scene from a Scene One's production of “Fat Pig.”
This comedic drama tells the story of Tom and his new relationship with Helen, an overweight woman. He encounters a few bumps in the road as his relationship is the subject of mockery by his co-workers, one of which happens to be his ex-girlfriend Jeannie.
Tom, who is slender, attractive and successful, typically does not date women who look like Helen. Jeannie, who is still not over their failed relationship, uses this as a way to belittle Tom. Carter, his co-worker, can be described as an immature womanizer. He views women in a negative way and does not have tact when speaking to them. He is crude and views anyone different than he is as a lower-class citizen.
The witty lines exchanged between Tom and Helen in the first scene at a busy lunch rush set the tone for the funny and sometimes awkward moments among the four characters.
During this new chapter in his life, he battles his own personal taste and wonders if a woman's size really matters.
Helen is comfortable in her skin, which is evident in the first scene. She is not afraid to talk about her bigger figure or her eating habits. Although she acknowledges the world's negative perception of overweight people, her concern is more with how Tom sees her. She hopes he can look past her size and the negative comments of his friends.
Aside from comedy, viewers will be able to see how men and women differ and the delayed maturity level of younger men.
The title can be interpreted as a reference to Helen, however there are underlying meanings. The maturity levels of all four characters as well as their stability can be tied in with the title.
“It has been a lot of fun. Jefferson City has something special with Scene One Theatre,” Director Terry Schoonover said.
The play is intended for mature audiences.
Scene One regular performers Kyle Smith plays Tom, Gabrielle Wittenberger plays Helen, Dan Zaiger Jr. plays Carter, and Stacey Meyer plays Jeannie.
Performances last about two hours.
The script, written by Neil LaBute, was brought to Schoonover's attention by Wittenberger. It is a special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc. Scene One presented “Bash” also by LaBute earlier.
Poking fun of overweight people is part of the entertainment, but there is a bigger message that viewers can take with them: being thin does not always lead to happiness.
“It's also about how when people are in relationships and find a flaw in someone in the person they were dating, it's not ideal,” says Schoonover.
Tom was dating the thin Jeannie. Although he was with a thin person, it didn't work out. Then there is a Helen. She is everything that Jeannie seemed to lack in Tom's eyes. The fact that she is overweight is a part of her but it does not define her.
“Fat Pig”
Where: Scene One Theatre, 121 E. High St.
When: 7:30 p.m. July 17-19, 25-26.
Ticket prices: $6
Ticket reservations/more information: (573) 681-9199.
This comedic drama tells the story of Tom and his new relationship with Helen, an overweight woman. He encounters a few bumps in the road as his relationship is the subject of mockery by his co-workers, one of which happens to be his ex-girlfriend Jeannie.
Tom, who is slender, attractive and successful, typically does not date women who look like Helen. Jeannie, who is still not over their failed relationship, uses this as a way to belittle Tom. Carter, his co-worker, can be described as an immature womanizer. He views women in a negative way and does not have tact when speaking to them. He is crude and views anyone different than he is as a lower-class citizen.
The witty lines exchanged between Tom and Helen in the first scene at a busy lunch rush set the tone for the funny and sometimes awkward moments among the four characters.
During this new chapter in his life, he battles his own personal taste and wonders if a woman's size really matters.
Helen is comfortable in her skin, which is evident in the first scene. She is not afraid to talk about her bigger figure or her eating habits. Although she acknowledges the world's negative perception of overweight people, her concern is more with how Tom sees her. She hopes he can look past her size and the negative comments of his friends.
Aside from comedy, viewers will be able to see how men and women differ and the delayed maturity level of younger men.
The title can be interpreted as a reference to Helen, however there are underlying meanings. The maturity levels of all four characters as well as their stability can be tied in with the title.
“It has been a lot of fun. Jefferson City has something special with Scene One Theatre,” Director Terry Schoonover said.
The play is intended for mature audiences.
Scene One regular performers Kyle Smith plays Tom, Gabrielle Wittenberger plays Helen, Dan Zaiger Jr. plays Carter, and Stacey Meyer plays Jeannie.
Performances last about two hours.
The script, written by Neil LaBute, was brought to Schoonover's attention by Wittenberger. It is a special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc. Scene One presented “Bash” also by LaBute earlier.
Poking fun of overweight people is part of the entertainment, but there is a bigger message that viewers can take with them: being thin does not always lead to happiness.
“It's also about how when people are in relationships and find a flaw in someone in the person they were dating, it's not ideal,” says Schoonover.
Tom was dating the thin Jeannie. Although he was with a thin person, it didn't work out. Then there is a Helen. She is everything that Jeannie seemed to lack in Tom's eyes. The fact that she is overweight is a part of her but it does not define her.
“Fat Pig”
Where: Scene One Theatre, 121 E. High St.
When: 7:30 p.m. July 17-19, 25-26.
Ticket prices: $6
Ticket reservations/more information: (573) 681-9199.
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