‘Shape of Things’ debuts

Loving who you are and being yourself was the main theme in a
performance by four cast members Wednesday.

The theatre department performed "The Shape of Things," a play
to show how far someone is willing to go for love.

The play tells the story of Adam, a shy and self-conscious
student on a small college campus in the Midwest, and his
transformation at the request of Evelyn, an intense artist.

Throughout the play, Evelyn encourages Adam to change himself in
order to test just how far she could transform him. She even
suggested Adam gets a nose job, which he does.

At one point in the play, Adam says, "You are dangerously close
to owning me."

Adam's relationship with Evelyn tests Adam's connection with his
other friends, Jenny and Phillip.

Adam transforms at Evelyn's request by changing his diet,
working out and getting rid of a coat that he refused to be without
until Evelyn convinced Adam to get rid of it.

In the play Phillip said to Adam, "I just hope next time I pass
you, I recognize you."

The play showed audience members just how far a man will go to
keep the woman he loves, by even breaking his relationships with
his friends.

Molly Manhart, a senior theatre arts major, who played Evelyn,
said she thought the play sent a message to be an individual.

"I think you should really love yourself and be aware that you
are your own person and others opinions shouldn't change that,"
Manhart said.

The play shows the series of trials that Evelyn puts Adam
through and shows his transformation from a shy student to a
different person.

Jayce Vickers, a senior theatre arts major, said throughout the
play he kept thinking the character Evelyn was wrong in her actions
and how she treated Adam.

"I disagreed with everything that she says in the play," Vickers
said. "The whole show I'm just arguing with her in my head going
‘No, you're wrong!'"

Kristie Kastl, a freshman English major, said she also disagreed
with Evelyn.

"I was on Adam's side the whole time, even at the beginning
before we know Evelyn is playing them all," Kastl said. "I still
didn't like her."

Jeff Tangeman, the director of "The Shape of Things," said the
play does use adult language and scenes.

"It explores some adult things," Tangeman said. "The thing that
works for me is that it is all in the context of the play. None of
it is for shock value."

Tangeman said he thought the performance went really well.

"There were a few areas that the cast can work on," Tangeman
said. "But if experience holds true, I think they will get better
and better."

Manhart said the audience was something the cast has to adjust
to.

"I didn't expect as many laughs as we got," Manhart said. "I
will be able to expect that in the other shows."

Manhart said she is excited for the other shows.

"I like working with the cast, we've become good friends,"
Manhart said. "We just have great relationships."

Manhart said she enjoyed playing her character.

"Evelyn is nothing like me, so it was fun diving in and playing
this character," Manhart said. "I get to be a different person
every night."

The cast also includes: Vince Dill as Adam, Rachael Sapp as
Jenny; and Jake Cole as Phillip.

Manhart said the cast tried to make the play new.

"We have to keep it fresh every night so the audience can
connect with the characters," Manhart said. "It's very character
centralized and the audience can relate to them."

"The Shape of Things" will also be shown today, Friday and
Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Black Box of the
Doudna Fine Arts Center.

Admission to the play is $5 for Eastern students, $10 for
employees and people 62 and older, and $12 for general
admission.

Manhart said she cannot wait for the rest of the shows.

"I'm just looking forward to sharing theatre with Eastern and
our families," Manhart said.

Samantha McDaniel can be reached
at 581-2812 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.

 

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