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the vindicator

YOUNGSTOWN — Blackbox Productions, the student-run theater company at Youngstown State University, will present “The Shape of Things,” one of the best-known works by American playwright and filmmaker Neil LaBute. The play will open Thursday for four performances.

“The Shape of Things” is a modern-day retelling of the Biblical story of the fall of man.

It involves a small group of students on a small Midwestern college campus. After a chance meeting, Evelyn, a sexy, aggressive artist, and Adam, a shy, insecure student, become embroiled in an affair. But it veers into dangerous territory as Adam, under Evelyn’s steady influence, goes to great lengths to improve his appearance. Adam enjoys his sudden desirability, but is unsure of where Eve is going with her requests.

As is typical of LaBute, the cynical and self-absorbed characters in “The Shape of Things” are revealed in unstintingly realistic dialogue.

In 2003, the play was made into a film of the same title, which LaBute directed. It starred Gretchen Mol, Rachel Weisz and Paul Rudd and Fred Weller.

LaBute’s writer-director credits also include “In the Company of Men” (1997). He directed, but did not write, the mainstream hit “Nurse Betty” (2000), which starred Renee Zellweger.

The YSU production is directed by Zachary Campbell, a senior from East Liverpool. The cast includes Cheney Morgan (Boardman) as Adam, Montaja Simmons (Turtle Creek, Pa.) as Evelyn, Brandon Smith (East Liverpool) as Philip and Jennifer Tomerlin (Niles) as Jenny.

The performance is intended for mature audiences.