Neil LaBute's The Shape of Things opens Nov. 6 at Centenary College's Marjorie Lyons Playhouse
 

SHREVEPORT, LA -- Josh Porter and Charity Schubert will star in The Shape of Things at Centenary College on Nov. 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16 at 8 p.m.   There will also be a 2 p.m. matinee on Nov. 17.  Ticket prices are $13 for adults, $11 for senior citizens, and $8 for students.

The Shape of Things, directed by Patric McWilliams, recently completed a smash run off-Broadway after a successful debut in London's West End.  This modern comedy/drama follows the development of a relationship between Adam, a young college student who is working as a security guard at an art museum, and Evelyn, a protester whom he stops from spray painting a sculpture that has been altered for prudish reasons. The Shape of Things becomes an exploration of the funny and sometimes cruel games that a more powerful partner can play on a smitten, weaker one.  

LaBute, described by The New Yorker as "…the best new playwright to emerge in the past decade," continues his theme of what lies beneath the surface of  contemporary America.  LaBute is the author of Bash, seen recently on Showtime starring Calista Flockhart and Paul Rudd.  He has also written the screenplays for In the Company of Men and its sequel Your Friends and Neighbors, and is the director of  Nurse Betty and Possession, the current Gwyneth Paltrow film.  

Josh Porter, who was recently seen in Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon, will play Adam.  Porter has appeared in numerous Marjorie Lyons Playhouse productions including, As Bees In Honey Drown, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Wit, Electra, The Seagull and Grand Hotel. 

Charity Schubert, who will play the role of Evelyn, appeared as Rosalind in As You Like It at East Bank Theatre and was also seen in MLP’s Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon, Electra, Wit and As Bees in Honey Drown.

Completing the four-character cast are Phillip Brooks as Phillip, Adam’s best friend, and Sarah Smith as Jenny, a girl engaged to Phillip. Brooks was seen as Trigorin in last season’s The Seagull and appeared recently in Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon.  Smith has been seen in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s production of Bye, Bye Birdie and starred as the title character in Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon.

McWilliams, the director for The Shape of Things, has directed many productions at MLP, including The Devils, Suburbia, Perfect Ganesh, 42nd Street, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Pride’s Crossing, Keely and Du, Red Scare on Sunset, Marvin’s Room and the recent smash hit, Mame.  McWilliams will also be the costume designer for The Shape of Things.  

Don Hooper will be the set and light designer.  Hooper is the resident designer for the Playhouse and has won numerous awards for his designs in shows such as Into the Woods, Evita, The Royal Family, A Perfect Ganesh, 42nd Street, Nine and Coastal Disturbances. Ashley Beckham will serve as the assistant director/stage manager of the production.

The Shape of Things will open on a Wednesday rather than the usual Thursday opening.  Preview night will be Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.  The price for this show is $5. Due to strong language content, The Shape of Things is not recommended for children.  Call the box office between noon and 4 p.m. at 318-869-5242 to make reservations.

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