When I first heard that Berkeley’s own Aurora was staging Neil LaBute’s play “Fat Pig” months ago, I knew I wanted to see it. In fact, I’ve been wanting to see this show since 2007, when it opened in Los Angeles. There is something intriguing about it’s crass insult of a title and its touchy and very contemporary subject matter. The potentially offensive, potentially witty, potentially heart-warming fabric of this show. The plot revolves around a well-to-do guy, conventionally good-looking and with a decent job, who falls unconventionally love with a woman who is a few dress sizes bigger than the socially accepted definition of “pretty.” Brazenly put, she is the “Fat Pig.” And when his new girlfriend is denounced by his friends because of her weight, he becomes, conventionally, ashamed. I am curious to see how this show–particularly the script–builds up and breaks down the neat little definitions of success and beauty we have created for ourselves by simultaneously playing up stereotypes and defying them.

Other Shows of Note:

Othello-UC Berkeley’s student theater group, Barestage, puts on the Moor of Venice, starting this Friday, on campus in the Chavez rehearsal hall.

The Bald Soprano-Cuttingball Theater in SF. Judging from Cuttingball’s awesome production of “Krapp’s Last Tape” this summer, director Rob Melrose’s take on Ionesco’s absurdist piece is certainly worth a try.

November-ACT hosts a new Mamet play, a “satirical stab at American Politics.” Ouch.

American Idiot-Berkeley Rep- It will finally (finally? or maybe the Rep will extend it again?) be closing on Nov. 15.

Urinetown-the musical at Diablo Valley College. A bit far from Berkeley, but while we’re having fun with offensive titles, I figured I’d better include this one.

Closing this Weekend!

The Who’s Tommy- at Ray of Light in SF. Can’t get enough of the jukebox musical, eh?