Artsopolis: All Arts. Online. Anytime.

• Official web site

The Shape of Things

Renegade Theatre Experiment

November 6-November 21, 2009

Avg. Event Rating (4.2 Stars): Add Review/Comment

In a modern version of Adam's seduction by Eve, The Shape of Things pits gentle, awkward Adam against experienced, analytical Evelyn. After a chance meeting at a museum, Evelyn and Adam embark on an intense relationship that causes shy and principled Adam to go to extraordinary lengths to improve himself. In the process, Evelyn's subtle and insistent coaching results in a reconstruction of Adam's fundamental moral character. Only in a final and shocking revelation does Evelyn reveal the nature of her interest in Adam. Labute's latest work is an intense and disturbing study not only of the uses of power within human relationships, but also of the ethics involved in the relationship of art and life. The Shape of Things challenges society's most deeply entrenched ideas about art, manipulation and love.

• At-a-Glance
• Member Reviews
• What's Nearby

• Ticket Info

  Tickets: $13-$20

  Info Phone: 408-351-4440

  Email

  Buy tickets

• Dates & Times

  Dates:
  November 6-November 21, 2009

  Times:
  Thurs-Sat: 8pm
  Sun: 2pm

• Venue Info

  Historic Hoover Theater

  1635 Park Avenue San Jose, CA 95126

  Full map and directions

• Parking Info

  The primary parking lot for the Historic Hoover Theater is located on the Southeast side of campus at Park Avenue and Sandringham Way. Alternate parking may be found at the lot located on the Southwest side of campus on Naglee Avenue. Parking is free.

• Accessibility Info

  • Wheelchair Access

• NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate, however it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

• Member Reviews

  Add review/comment

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "Fun and thought provoking"
    Review posted by: Kristen from San Jose, CA, Nov 20, 2009
    

    The idea of art and what it intends to be is the central theme of the show. This was tastefully done in scenes slightly provocative and that was wonderful to see. In addition, the scene changes were... Expand

    The idea of art and what it intends to be is the central theme of the show. This was tastefully done in scenes slightly provocative and that was wonderful to see. In addition, the scene changes were so creative using giant photos of body parts on tracks to make each new public place different and unique. It kept my eyes moving and never bored with what I saw. The acting was superb in the show. It was extremely funny and the actors were able to present the audience with an evening of laughs but also keeping it realistic in the serious moments. This show is amazing to go see. It has a range of emotions that are captivating and the play always gives something to think about. I recommend anyone to attend this wonderful show. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "The Shape Of Things"
    Comment posted by: Mayra Zamora from San Jose Ca. USA, Nov 20, 2009
    

    The Shape of Things was an amazing play that really made me think about the meaning of art. The characters were rally amazing because it was like you were actually seeing someone in real life... Expand

    The Shape of Things was an amazing play that really made me think about the meaning of art. The characters were rally amazing because it was like you were actually seeing someone in real life fighting. One thing that captured my attention was the scene design. It did not have a lot of props only pictures that really put the mood for the play. I think not alot of props were needed because the only thing you would be paying attention was the actors and the passion they acted with. Whether we like it or not everyone knows that many of us have changed for the person we love to be with. This is exactly what happened to Adam in this play. Sometimes we don not really notice of the changes we are making in our life until someone points them out for us. That is when others question themselves aobut whether you are doing it because you want to or just to please your significant other. Sometimes our significan other can uses us as an experiment to see how much you can change about yourself. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "Outstanding Show"
    Review posted by: Anusha Singh from Hayward, CA USA, Nov 20, 2009
    

    The production was very unique in a sense where it took the aspect of manipulation to an extreme level.Most people can relate to the relationship between Evelyn and Adam;basically changing their whole... Expand

    The production was very unique in a sense where it took the aspect of manipulation to an extreme level.Most people can relate to the relationship between Evelyn and Adam;basically changing their whole lifestyle or doing things a person wouldn't normally do, all out of being in love.I really liked Evelyn's dominant and manipulative character;in the scene where Evelyn and Phillip got into an arugment, really demonstrated that Evelyn is a dominant person&by; seeing the transformation of Adam revealed that Evelyn has him wrapped around her finger.All the actors did an amazing job fitting into their character.However,Evelyn had me amazed from the start and left me shocked at the end.A new found love turned into an humiliating project.It was interesting to see how manipulation in the form of an art experiment can transform peoples lifes.The set was very simple, it could have been done a bit differently to engage the audience more; the use of colors can be helpful.I give it an A+- A must see! Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "The Shape of Things"
    Review posted by: B.A.J. from San Jose, CA USA, Nov 19, 2009
    

    The Shape of Things was an amazing play that really makes one think about what art is, and about relationships. Many people do change for their significant other, whether the change is unconscious or... Expand

    The Shape of Things was an amazing play that really makes one think about what art is, and about relationships. Many people do change for their significant other, whether the change is unconscious or not. One thing that really stood out to me for this play was that none of the characters at the end were truly victims,they had all done something wrong and it was difficult to fully sympathize with any. The actors and actresses were great, they made the entire storyline seem extremely believable, I got so caught up in the story, and never saw the end coming. The set was absolutely amazing as well, I really liked the idea of using snaps of various body parts of the characters and shifting them around until only Adam's were left. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "Success at Hoover Theater"
    Review posted by: A. Casino from San Jose, CA USA, Nov 19, 2009
    

    "The Shape of Things" was a hit! It is a classic Adam and Eve plot with a modern touch. This twisted love story takes you on all the ups and downs in a real relationship with a surprising twist at the... Expand

    "The Shape of Things" was a hit! It is a classic Adam and Eve plot with a modern touch. This twisted love story takes you on all the ups and downs in a real relationship with a surprising twist at the end. The actors gave impressive performances for such complex characters. Even though there were only four characters that shared the stage, each of them did an excellent job at entertaining the audience. They were natural in their ability to create believeable relationships. This allowed the viewers to relate and be engaged throughout the entire performance. The set was very simple but effective. The black and white pictures were symbolic and reflected one of the themes of the play- man's obsession with his physical appearance. I enjoyed this play and highly recommend it to all. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "The Shape of Thing review"
    Review posted by: andtngu from San Jose, CA USA, Nov 18, 2009
    

    I just recently saw the play “The Shape of Things” at the Historic Hoover Theatre on November 15, 2009 and I thought the play was great because the plot to me is very similar to how relationship in... Expand

    I just recently saw the play “The Shape of Things” at the Historic Hoover Theatre on November 15, 2009 and I thought the play was great because the plot to me is very similar to how relationship in college is like. The actors did a great job portraying college students like when they were playing video games in the dorm and I like how they created the sound of a video game going on. I also like how in one scene where the actors sits in with the audience which I thought made the performance a little fun. I also like how when the scene changes I saw the actors moving the pictures in the back ground which I thought made me felt like I was watching some TV show. The only thing I didn’t like about the play was at the end the actors didn’t come out to give a bow. Over all I would recommend people to go see this play because it was fun, had a lot of romance and the actors did a great job performing their part. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "One of the best shows I have seen"
    Review posted by: Joanne Martin from Santa Clara, CA, Nov 15, 2009
    

    I was blown away by how all elements of this production came together to create an intriguing and compelling piece of theatre. Brilliantly acted and directed, scene design was amazing and... Expand

    I was blown away by how all elements of this production came together to create an intriguing and compelling piece of theatre. Brilliantly acted and directed, scene design was amazing and flawlessly done, costumes were spot on for the characters, the sound design was brilliant and the lighting design was excellent. I can't wait to see more great theatre on this level from Renegade Theatre Experiment! Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "Strong show"
    Review posted by: Charli B. from San Jose, CA, Nov 15, 2009
    

    This script is one of Labute's better efforts, and this production does the source material proud. The scenic design is inspired, and the performances on the part of this talented young cast are... Expand

    This script is one of Labute's better efforts, and this production does the source material proud. The scenic design is inspired, and the performances on the part of this talented young cast are uniformly solid. The staging leaves a bit to be desired and didn't live up to the excellent work of the actors and technicians. The blocking was sometimes awkward, cutting the audience out, and while there were moments of engaging business and physical interaction, others lacked dynamic action that could have contributed a lot to the story and characters. This was my second visit to Renegade, and it's definitely a company to watch. I highly recommend their most recent effort. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "Unbelievable"
    Review posted by: Icia from San Jose, CA USA, Nov 15, 2009
    

    The Shape of Things was unbelievable. I took my boyfriend to watch it with me and we both had good things to say about it. I love how the pictures were left throughout the entire play, but was... Expand

    The Shape of Things was unbelievable. I took my boyfriend to watch it with me and we both had good things to say about it. I love how the pictures were left throughout the entire play, but was arranged differently so that the actors could work around it. I have yet to understand the meaning of the pictures and what role it plays. The actors played their characters very well. i found myself hating one of the characters because i felt he was annoying, but that was the character's purpose. The actors accomplished their purpose and their character. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "A Very Good Twist!!"
    Review posted by: Kimlyn from San Jose, CA USA, Nov 15, 2009
    

    The Shape of Things is a must see with a compelling story and unexpected twist! The actors/actresses did a splendid job and the characters were portrayed very well. Kathleen Normington did a good job... Expand

    The Shape of Things is a must see with a compelling story and unexpected twist! The actors/actresses did a splendid job and the characters were portrayed very well. Kathleen Normington did a good job directing the play. The play was entertaining and humorous. It was an outstanding performance and I highly recommended to others to attend. Evelyn performed so well that left audience jaw dropped. Adam acted with strong emotions that can connect with the audience. Overall, the play was quiet interesting and entertaining with a twist that left the audience mind opened and stunned. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "The Shape of Thngs"
    Review posted by: Dan from Woodside, CA, Nov 15, 2009
    

    Bottom line, is the play worth seeing? Yes, if you're not adverse to enjoying your art unsweetened, as is my preference. I've read and seen other Labute plays and short stores (Fat Pig was excellent)... Expand

    Bottom line, is the play worth seeing? Yes, if you're not adverse to enjoying your art unsweetened, as is my preference. I've read and seen other Labute plays and short stores (Fat Pig was excellent) but found this script less complex and compelling than others - though the ending caught me by surprise and I smiled all the way home. I've also seen other works by Renegage Theatre and their overall staging/acting is ok. Though I gotta say, whoever selects the various music played during this performances (and others) deserves and A+ as it really adds to the performance. One other thing, Renegade's technique of melding the audience and actors worked very well (ain't gonna give it away - go and see for yourself!). Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    ""SHAPE" Could Use Greater Definition"
    Review posted by: Gene from Fremont from Fremont, CA, Nov 14, 2009
    

    What LaBute succeeds in doing in YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS and IN THE COMPANY OF MEN he fails to do in this particular play. The characters as written lack the complexity and depth of the... Expand

    What LaBute succeeds in doing in YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS and IN THE COMPANY OF MEN he fails to do in this particular play. The characters as written lack the complexity and depth of the aforementioned works, relationships are not as well defined and the episodic nature of the play slows the pace and often defuses rather than heightens the dramatic tension. In this production, performances were quite good. The actors could go further defining the various layers of their roles so they come across less as stock "types." Staging by the director was awkward at times with actors upstaging other actors by having their backs to the audience, blocking others on stage from view. Sets were very interesting and more could've been done creating something visually arresting at the end. Adam's final moment on stage is nebulous and weak. As an audience member, I wanted him to make a bolder choice to reclaim his lost identity perhaps by taking back that old, worn blazer. O.Wilde redux its not Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "The Shape of Things Review"
    Review posted by: Andrew Nguyen from San Jose, California, Nov 13, 2009
    

    The theme relates to the meaning of "art" and how people have different opinions on it. Evelyn's goal was to show her own way of art by using Adam as her experiment. Evelyn says that she never fell in... Expand

    The theme relates to the meaning of "art" and how people have different opinions on it. Evelyn's goal was to show her own way of art by using Adam as her experiment. Evelyn says that she never fell in love with Adam, and she only wanted to use him for her experiment. Phillip and Jenny were there to make the play more exciting because the fake relationship between Adam and Evelyn was destroying his friendship between Phillip and Jenny. The play is about a love triangle between Adam, Evelyn, and Jenny. While Phillip and Jenny's relationship falls apart, Jenny realizes that Adam's transformation is definitely an attraction to her. As Jenny expresses her love for Adam by an unexpected kiss, she explains to Phillip what happened. From there, Adam and Phillip's friendship was falling apart. The dramatic relationship between the two different couples made the play more exciting. Overall, the performers did a great job on making the play believable. I would recommend watching this play. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "Fabulous!"
    Review posted by: Danielle from Gilroy, CA USA, Nov 13, 2009
    

    I highly recommend seeing this play. The casting was beyond perfect for the roles and I enjoyed it immensely. I had never heard of this piece before, but I was so impressed and moved.

    I highly recommend seeing this play. The casting was beyond perfect for the roles and I enjoyed it immensely. I had never heard of this piece before, but I was so impressed and moved.

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "Go see it!"
    Review posted by: E.L. from San Jose, CA, Nov 12, 2009
    

    This was a provocative show--it will make you think about the things we do to/for the people we love. Powerfully acted and directed, it blended humor and honesty and kept the audience entertained... Expand

    This was a provocative show--it will make you think about the things we do to/for the people we love. Powerfully acted and directed, it blended humor and honesty and kept the audience entertained throughout. I highly recommend it! Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "Some authentic performances of a compelling show."
    Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, CA, Nov 09, 2009
    

    I had seen this show before, and liked it, so going into it I not only had some expectations, but also some of the twists and surprises were "spoiled" for me. That being said, I did enjoy this... Expand

    I had seen this show before, and liked it, so going into it I not only had some expectations, but also some of the twists and surprises were "spoiled" for me. That being said, I did enjoy this production, particularly the acting. A very well cast 4 character show, where the performances weren't too big, or too small, but well nuanced, and very realistic. This is a two hour show, with no intermission, and it serves the authentic momentum of the piece well. It was very easy to feel as if you were witnessing real conversations in many ways. Some of the movement seemed repetetive as the night went on, it's a small stage with minimal set for quick transition, but this is a genuinely well written and naturally performed piece. A great introduction to Renegade's high quality. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Shape of Things
    "The Shape of Things: What would I do for love?"
    Review posted by: Jesse Hsiao from San Jose, CA, Nov 08, 2009
    

    The themes of love and art are twisted into one masterpiece in The Shape of Things. The play takes on many aspects of a relationship and presents them in a cute and touching love story hiding a cruel... Expand

    The themes of love and art are twisted into one masterpiece in The Shape of Things. The play takes on many aspects of a relationship and presents them in a cute and touching love story hiding a cruel and twisted secret. Evelyn does a wonderful job seducing Adam for her "project", and Adam's transformation is shocking and sometimes questionable. The supporting characters add to the twists and turns of the play. The actors and actresses peformed well and made the story believable and I felt that I connected with them. Although The Shape of Things is a twisted love story, Kathleen Normington presents the play in a hilarious fashion and the play is something any viewer can relate to. I highly recommend this play for anyone. The Shape of Things is very enjoyable and is a good performance. This play will excite and shock you, but after watching this play, one must ask himself/herself, what would I do for love? Collapse

  View all reviews/comments for this event

  View reviews/comments for past events