Show And Tell - "Fat Pig"

I chose to analyze the play "Fat Pig" by Neil LaBute.  This play premiered in 2004 at the MCC theater in New York and has been a popular production ever since.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat_Pig).  

I chose the play "Fat Pig" because I had done a scene in this play in my Acting 1 Class here at LSU.  I played the role of Carter, an obnoxious co-worker of Tom's, who pesters Tom about dating a larger woman.  Tom is a young urban professional who has a bad track record of quickly losing interest in the attractive women he dates, so when he decides to go with a larger woman, Carter makes it a huge deal.  Although Tom may seem like a nice guy, he actually pretty shallow though. He values what his co-workers would think of him over what he truly feels about other women.  There is actually a co-worker that Tom had relations with, Jeannie, who sees him dating Helen as a personal attack.  This play has actually many parallels when it comes to men and women.  The men in Fat Pig are very objective, meaning they do not see people as people, but merely as objectives (they especially see women this way.) Carter, frequently tries to manipulate Tom while still trying to be the one in control of situations, for example, Carter says :" Do what you want. If you like this girl, then don't listen to a goddamn word anybody says. " The women however are not frail or dependent, they represent a strong gender. Helen reveals how empowered and assertive women have become in the last few centuries. Helen insists upon facing the truth before allowing a serious relationship to continue. This shows that the women will fight for what they want and will be strong enough to turn away if need be. Several lines indicate this but the one that stood out the most is when Helen said : "I love you so much, I really do, Tom. Feel a connection with you that I haven't allowed myself to dream of, let alone be a part of, in so long." 
       I think  a good dramaturgical choice was limiting the play to 4 characters.  Doing this allows the reader to develop a stronger relationship to the characters rather than having to keep up with the ties and emotions of several (quality over quantity.)  It was also smart to have the genders be an equal 2 vs 2 type scenario.  We get two types of characters on two types of genders.  There are the two volatile characters (Carter and Jeannie) then there are the more sensible (not totally sensible) characters (Tom and Helen.) This allowed the reader to take sympathy towards whichever one that seemed the most fit for them. For example, I chose Carter, because he is impulsive and says everything that comes to his mind (hehehe) :) 

Here is a link to the play if anyone would wish to read !
http://www.pennytempletonstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/FAT-PIG-FULL-PLAY.pdf