Monday, Mar 31, 2014
A comedic coming-of-age story centered on society’s obsession with physical appearance and beauty
Rider University Theatre presents Neil LaBute’s play Reasons to be Pretty, directed by Miriam Mills, on Wednesday, April 9, through Sunday, April 13, in the Bart Luedeke Center Theater on the campus of Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. The preview performance is Wednesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m., and performances are Thursday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m.
Centering on society’s obsession with physical appearance and beauty, this comedic coming-of-age story revolves around four young friends and lovers who over time become dissatisfied with their lives and each other. It is recommended for mature audiences only.
LaBute said in an interview about the play with Chicago Magazine, “I’ve been fascinated with this idea of the physical self for years: how we’re all so judgmental about the way people look, how we try to change the way we look for other people. I began asking women around me how they’d react if they heard their boyfriend say, ‘Yeah, I totally love her, but her face is average.’ What would that do to the relationship?”
Miriam Mills has directed more than 100 shows nationally included productions of Extremities, The Pillowman, Rent and Sweet Charity. She has twice received the Kennedy Center ACTF Meritorious Directing Award for Excellence in Directing for her productions of The Pillowman and The Misanthrope. She is active in the Association for Theater in Higher Education and currently serves as the director of the Acting Program for the national association. Ms. Mills is an active voice-over artist and her New York acting credits include leads in such productions as Romeo and Juliet, Hotel Baltimore and Company.
Rider University’s Theatre program has a rich tradition of preparing students for successful careers in all aspects of the theater. Graduates of the program are working with national theater companies, in film and on television. The campus productions have earned critical praise for more than 50 years.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at the door, through the box office at 609-896-7775 or online. General admission preview tickets are $9 and are only available at the door.