FAT PIG: “IT’S NOT OVER TILL THE FAT LADY CRIES”

Tom, a handsome corporate type guy meets an overweight woman at a beach food stand. She is very outgoing and has a great sense of humor, especially about her overweight status. She even jokes about it, as she stuffs more food down her mouth.

Some will wonder why this handsome guy Tom would start to fall in love with Helen. Well, have you ever heard of Chubby Chasers? Tom may be one of them. Or maybe he is just curious about this woman (Helen) who is attractive, even if she is overweight.

Tom already is dating a girl from the office. She is slender and wears skimpy clothes to work. She likes to show off her body and struts around the office like she is on a model runway.

There is another person that we meet in the office. He is an obnoxious idiot. He thinks he is funny, but Carter’s jokes are more cruel than amusing. So, why does Tom put up with his insults about his relationship with the Fat Lady, that Carter calls a “Fat Pig” among other things? Who knows? But, maybe Tom is into S & M. Why else would he put up with this jerk? There are no easy answers in this play. In fact, we never really get any.

So here it is. Tom works with two obtuse shallow co-workers. They work the peer pressure on Tom. What would other people think when they see you with Helen? You can’t take her anywhere they say. Not even to the beach. That would be a disaster. In fact Tom does take Helen to the Beach – but hides her way at the end of the Beach away from his co-workers who are on the edge of the water. Tom gives into to the Peer Pressure. Even though he has told Helen that he loves her – he breaks it off at the beach. She is devastated, She cries – and even offers too get liposuction to reduce her weight if he would just give another chance.

Tom has a line in the play that tells all: “All this love inside and it’s not nearly enough to get around the shit that people heave at you.” Tom is not strong enough to heave it back. No he prefers to listen to his creepy co-worker Carter, who refers to Helen as that Cow, pig and slob.

Instead of defending the woman that he swore he loved – Tom listens to the negatives, and never once stands up and defends Helen.

While not Neil LaBute’s best play – he does get you to examine truths about people in general. Unfortunately – in this world physical appearance is more important to most people than their minds.

It gives you a lot to think about, and a chance to look and listen to your inner self.

THE ACTORS ARE SUPERB! THEY ARE – JUD WILLIFORD (TOM), LILIANE KLEIN (HELEN), PETER RUOCCO (CARTER, THE ASSHOLE), AND ALEXANDRA CRIEGHTON (JEANNIE, THE OFFICE HOTTIE).

INTRIGUING DIRECTION IS BY BARBARA DAMASHEK. FAT PIG IS BY PLAYWRIGHT NEIL LABUTE.

FAT PIG IS – “FAST-PACED AND PROVOCATIVE!”

AT THE AURORA THEATRE

RATING: THREE GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!! –trademarked-

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and has produced a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))


Singer Jane Monheit. Courtesy Photo.

JANE MONHEIT

Monheit has a tremendous range and sings every style that you can think of. She effortless goes from Jazz to Scat to Classic Pop. I know that Monheit loves Jazz, and prefers to sing it – but for me the most beautiful moments of the evening was when she wrapped that wonderful and amazing voice around a Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway medley of “This Nearly Was Mine” and “I Have Dreamed”.

Monheit’s style, easygoing and naturalistic, lures you into dangerous territory. Within the walls of the sumptuous Ballroom at the Sir Francis Drake Monheit’s voice, forceful and assured, had the audience mesmerized.

Monheit is high on the list as one of the best singers around. She has a voice that would work for pop, jazz and opera. We can thank Marilyn Levinson for bringing these Cabaret Gems to San Francisco. They are always in upscale surroundings. And best of all – she knows how to book the sure-fire hits! Levinson knows how to put on a dazzling display of talent.

Next up – Marilyn Levinson is bringing Joel Grey (Cabaret) to the Herbst Theater for an evening of chat with ex-chronicle critic Steven Winn. Winn will ask some probing questions, I’m sure. They say that Grey is very funny. Plus, Levinson sez that Grey is going to surprise us with a couple of songs along the way. Sounds exciting! Let’s go and enjoy.

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The Photo of Lee Hartgrave Boy Reporter is by Jim Ferreira – Film Noir & Hollywood Glamour. www.lafterhall.com.

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