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The English Theatre of Hamburg

Established 1976

presents

REASONS TO BE
PRETTY
a Play

by Neil LaBute

Premiere on 6 September, 2012


Preview Performances at reduced prices on 3, 4 and 5 September
Peformances Tuesday to Saturday at 19.30 Hours
Matinee Performances at 11.00 Hours on Tuesdays and
Fridays beginning 11 September

The English Theatre of Hamburg


Lerchenfeld 14, 22081 Hamburg
U-Bahn Mundsburg
Telephone: 22 77 089
www.englishtheatre.de

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The English Theatre of Hamburg
Established in 1976
Dear English Teachers and Friends,
The English Theatre of Hamburg will premiere REASONS TO BE PRETTY by Neil
LaBute on 6 September, 2012, with the usual preview performances at reduced prices on 3, 4
and 5 September. Bookings for this contemporary American play have already started. See the
cover of this study guide for dates and times of performances. The text of the play may be
ordered from Samuel French, 52 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5JR, England.
theatre@samuelfrench-london.co.uk
***************************************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Neil LaBute is one of America's most successful new playwrights,
having also received acclaim as a screenwriter. He has a reputation for exposing what society
prefers to suppress and for saying what is usually considered unspeakable. He was born in
Detroit, Michigan in 1963. After graduating from the University of Kansas, he studied
playwriting at New York University and was the recipient of a literary fellowship to continue
his studies at the Royal Court Theatre, London. His plays include THIS IS HOW IT GOES
(produced at the English Theatre of Hamburg in 2010), FAT PIG, THE SHAPE OF
THINGS, BASH, THE MERCY SEAT, THE DISTANCE FROM HERE, SOME
GIRL(S), IN A DARK DARK HOUSE, IN A FOREST DARK AND DEEP and
REASONS TO BE PRETTY. La2Bute's films include IN THE COMPANY OF MEN,
YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, NURSE BETTY, TUMBLE, POSSESSION and
THE SHAPE OF THINGS, an adaptation of his play starring Rachael Weisz and Paul Rudd.
The author is the recipient of numerous awards for his films and plays..

ABOUT THE PLAY: How does physical beauty, or the lack of it, impact our lives? This is
one of the questions that American playwright Neil LaBute raises in his provocative play
REASONS TO BE PRETTY. He does this as he observes the lives of four young people
who are stuck in jobs and relationships that are not working for them and who must decide
what kind of people they want to be and how to spend the rest of their lives. The story:
Stephanie, a young hairdresser, has learned that her boyfriend Greg, while having a few beers
with his best friend Kent, called her face just regular as opposed to being pretty. Kent's
wife Carly, who overheard the remark, reported it to Stephanie. Greg assures Stephanie that
he meant it as a compliment and would not trade her for a million dollars, but she does not
believe him. She is so angry and hurt by his comment that she breaks off their relationship.
Greg tries to win her back, but his stupid gaffe has apparently uncovered the deep insecurity
that Stephanie feels about her physical appearance. This dramatic, yet comical play is not only
about our obsession with physical beauty and the pressure we put on ourselves to look a
certain way. The story is also about young people growing up and learning to take
responsibility for their comments, choices and actions. The message is that people are more
than their physical appearance and that it does not take much effort to be kind in our
relationships. REASONS TO BE PRETTY was nominated in 2009 for three Tony Awards
on Broadway and has just this year completed a sell-out run in London's prestigious Almeida
Theatre. It is tight, tense and emotionally true, and it portrays characters who actually seem
part of the world that the rest of us live in. (Time Magazine)
(The play contains strong, adult language.)

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.. Summary of at all surprised that Carly would do such a thing.
That is how girls are, he claims. Kent goes to the
REASONS TO BE PRETTY restroom. Shortly thereafter, Carly, who works as
Setting: Various locations in a suburb of an a security guard in the warehouse, enters the
American city break room in full uniform. She is clearly
Time: The present pregnant. Greg berates her for reporting his
comment to Stephanie. She believes she did the
ACT I, Scene 1 .. right thing. In her opinion, a guy does not say a
Stephanie, a young hairdresser, and her boyfriend thing like that about someone he really loves.
Greg are in the middle of a heated argument in Greg insists he thought he was saying a loving
their apartment. She has heard from her thing. In that case, Carly tells him, he must be
girlfriend Carly that Greg described another either stupid or lack communication skills. When
girls face as pretty and her face as just Greg learns that Carly has spoken to Stephanie
regular. Carly overheard Greg say this at her on the phone about their situation, he accuses her
house while he and her husband Kent were of conspiring to keep them apart. In the middle
having a few beers together. Stephanie is furious of their argument, Kent enters and makes a big
and wants Greg to admit to her what he said. He show of siding with Carly against Greg. He
tries to calm her down and worm his way out of kisses and fondles her, pointing out to Greg that
the problem, but this only makes matters worse. this is the way to handle women. Then, after
She threatens to flush his gold fish down the Carly leaves, he tells Greg that he is really on his
toilet and pounce on him like death unless he side in the matter. A loud buzzer sounds
tells her the truth. He recalls that he agreed with signaling the end of the lunch break. Kent returns
Kent that a new girl at work was hot and to the work place, followed by Greg.
pretty but that was all, he claims. Stephanie
knows that he is still not telling her exactly what A moment with Stephanie:
Carly heard him say. She insists that he admit Stephanie enters the stage and speaks to the
comparing her unfavorably with the pretty girl at audience. She says that good looks in a guy were
work. Finally, and with great difficulty, Greg never a priority with her. Even though she
confesses what he said. His words were: ... knows that Greg is good-looking, that was not
maybe Steph hasn't got a face like that girls the thing that made her like him, she says. Still
maybe her face is just regular but I wouldn't smarting from Greg's comment about her face,
trade her for a million bucks. He tries to she admits that she is not completely gorgeous
convince Stephanie that he meant it as a like some girls. Nevertheless, she is satisfied with
compliment, not as a comparison, but she does the way she looks.
not believe him. She throws an ashtray at him
and storms out of the room. Greg is left alone,
feeling miserable and trying to understand why ACT I, Scene 3
Stephanie is so upset. Greg has persuaded Stephanie to meet him at the
mall. As the scene opens he is waiting there in a
coffee shop for her to arrive. He hopes to
ACT I, Scene 2 persuade her to return home and has brought her
Greg and Kent are eating their lunch in the break a bunch of flowers. When she shows up,
room of the warehouse where they work the however, she rejects the flowers and makes it
night shift. It is after midnight. They are both clear that she does not intend to reconcile with
tired and bored with their job, which involves the him. She cannot, she says, be with a guy who
packing and loading of goods. The two young finds her unpleasant to look at. She plans to stop
men have been friends since high school. Greg, by their apartment later and pick up a few of her
still baffled by Stephanie's behavior, tells Kent things. Greg, unable to do or find the right thing
that she is now living with her parents and to say that will change her mind, is frustrated. He
refuses to talk to him or answer his messages. cannot grasp why she is making such a big deal
Kent does not seem to care that Greg and out of one stupid thing he said. She explains that
Stephanie have split. He is more interested in his comment opened her eyes to a lot more that is
talking about the company baseball team and the wrong with her life with him. For instance, he
pretty new girl at work. Greg is angry that Carly thinks he knows everything, never listens, and
passed on his comment to Stephanie. Kent is not always wants to speak for her and sign things that

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both of their names should be on. She sees the job if he does not get back to work, returns to the
four years they have been together as totally lost. break room to get him.
Good, then get the hell outta here, he tells her,
A moment with Kent:
you and your stupid face. Even though he
claims that what he just said was a joke, she is Kent comes on stage and addresses the audience.
now convinced that he really hates her. From her He says it is difficult having an attractive wife
purse she gets a piece of paper on which she has like Carly because you worry about losing her to
listed all of Greg's physical defects and personal all the other guys who find her attractive. He
shortcomings. She then recites them loudly to wishes she did not work with him at the
everyone in the coffee shop. Greg, although warehouse, but they need the two incomes. It is
embarrassed by the tirade, listens quietly. He embarrassing, he says, to see her walking around
realizes that she is simply getting back at him for in her uniform, observing everything. It also
the pain his comment has caused her. When she means he has to be careful who he talks to. He
finishes, he assures her he has always liked her cannot believe that it is his fate in life to work in
face and thinks she is adorable. She admits that a warehouse, but he plans to cope with it by
she made up most of the stuff she just said about enjoying his affair with Crystal. Which is what
him. But she still believes he really meant what most guys do, he claims.
he said about her face. And that is why, she says,
she is ending their relationship. She exits, leaving
her list of his defects on the table. Greg, having ACT II, Scene 1..
now endured hurtful comments about his own Stephanie and Greg meet by chance in the lobby
body, understands better the pain that Stephanie of a restaurant. She is there on a date with her
has been feeling. He picks up the list and begins new boyfriend and Greg is waiting for his date to
reading it. show up with some friends. (We later learn that
the friends are Kent and Crystal.) Stephanie is
unsure what to do talk to Greg in the lobby, or
ACT.I,.Scene.4 go to the dining room where her date is waiting
Carly and Kent are eating their lunch in the break for her. Greg is obviously jealous of Stephanie's
room at work. She notices that he is distracted new guy. He irritates her when he is unable to
and keeps checking his watch as if he would wish her well in the new relationship. He notices
rather be somewhere else rather than with her. the outfit she is wearing and complains that she
He tries to assure her that he is really turned on in never wore anything that sexy for him. She
her company by pawing her breasts. His infantile replies sarcastically that she is trying to look
behavior only infuriates Carly, so he attempts to pretty because her former boyfriend (Greg) did
calm her down by sweet talking, embracing and not find her attractive. When he implies that she
kissing her. Greg enters, interrupting their love- looks like a slut in the outfit, she slaps him across
making. Carly leaves the room without saying a the face. He berates her for breaking up with him
word to him. Kent points out that she still holds over one stupid thing he said, and he warns her
Greg responsible for the break-up with that the new guy will also hurt her in some way
Stephanie. Greg says he is fed up with women. because that is how men are. Stephanie decides
He sits down and takes out the book he is that she and her date should leave the restaurant,
currently reading. Before he can get into the but Greg insists that she and her boyfriend stay
book, however, Kent reveals that he is having an there. He and his friends will go to another place
affair with Crystal, the new hot and pretty when they arrive, he says. Stephanie is surprised
co-worker that Greg compared Stephanie with. by his generosity. He explains that he simply
When Kent describes in detail all of Crystal's does not want to run the risk of Stephanie
physical attributes, Greg is disgusted and slapping his date when she arrives. Stephanie
threatens to leave the room. Kent asks him to smiles at his attempt to lighten the situation. He
promise not to tell Carly or anyone else about the tells her that she really does look great in her
affair. Greg promises, saying that he has his own outfit. She smiles again and exits to the dining
problems to deal with. The buzzer sounds. Kent room. Greg watches her go.
returns to the work place but Greg remains in the
break room. He tries to read his novel, but it is ACT.II,.Scene.2
difficult for him to concentrate. Another buzzer Carly and Greg are in the break room at work
sounds. Kent, concerned that Greg could lose his eating their lunch. She attempts to get on a more
friendly basis with him. The reason is soon
revealed. She thinks Greg might have an

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explanation for her husband's suspicious part of it anymore. Kents behavior with Crystal
behavior. Kent has changed his work schedule and his treatment of Carly has apparently made
from nights to days, even though it means he Greg realize that that is not the kind of person
earns less money. He is out of the house a lot and he wants to be. When Greg indicates that he
does not answer her calls when she phones him might tell Carly the truth about Kent and Crystal,
from work. Greg assures her these things Kent becomes angry and aggressive, threatening
probably mean nothing at all. Probably is not to beat up Greg. Greg resists fighting with Kent,
good enough, she says. She is feeling insecure however, until Kent refers to Stephanie as being
and worried that she might be losing her ugly. This convinces Greg that Kent needs a
husband's affections because of her changed good pounding, not just for what he has said
appearance (pregnant). She found a receipt from about Stephanie, but for who he is and what he
a restaurant that Kent says he visited with Greg, has done to Carly. Greg physically attacks Kent
but the price suggests that another couple would and punches him to the ground. He then gathers
have been there as well. Greg is uneasy because his stuff and leaves the baseball field, effectively
he knows that Crystal was there with Kent along ending his friendship with Kent. A bit later, Kent
with him and his date. Carly, suspecting that staggers to his feet. When he realizes that Greg is
Kent is seeing someone else, presses Greg to tell gone and has therefore ruined their baseball
her if the two other people with him and Kent team's chance of winning a trophy, Kent is beside
were girls. Greg feels compelled to lie for Kent himself. He rants and raves like a child throwing
in order to protect Carly's feelings. He tells her a temper tantrum.
that the other two people were just guys from the
ACT II, Scene 4
day shift. She bursts into tears and gives Greg a
Greg enters the break room at work just as Carly
hug. Before exiting she says, I don't know why
is about to leave. He cheers her up by telling her
God had to make it so, like hard to trust you
how great she looks in her pregnant state. He also
guys. But he did. Greg is left alone and angry
persuades her to take the rest of the night off and
with himself for lying to Carly. He nevertheless
go home to Kent, knowing that Kent will be there
makes a phone call, presumably to Kent to warn
with Crystal. Once Carly leaves, Greg sits down
him about what he has just told Carly.
and begins reading a book. After a moment,
A moment with Carly: Stephanie enters. She has come to tell Greg that
she is getting married to Tim, the guy she was
Carly enters and speaks to the audience. She says
with at the restaurant the last time she saw Greg.
that she knows she is attractive, but that this has
Tim works with computers and, in contrast to
its disadvantages. She complains about the
Greg, is ready to marry and settle down. Greg
numerous times men have made her nervous by
says he is very happy for her, although it is
trying to talk to her at the supermarket or by
apparent that he still has deep feelings for
following her home or to work. She is aware that
Stephanie. He tells her that he plans to quit his
it is not really her they are interested in, but the
job and go back to college. Can't pack boxes all
way she looks. Beauty comes with a price, just
my life, he says. He also tells Stephanie that he
like ugly does, she says.
may have just ruined Carly and Kents marriage.
ACT II, Scene 3 Stephanie believes the marriage would have
Kent and Greg are on the baseball field warming ended sooner or later anyway. Although she is
up for a company baseball game that is about to convinced that she and Greg are not right for
take place. They have not seen each other since each other, she says sadly that she still thinks
Kent started working during the day. Kent thanks about him when she and Tim are making plans
Greg for covering for him about Crystal and the for their life together. Greg agrees that she is
restaurant. Crystal now comes over to his house doing the right thing by getting married.
every night right after Carly leaves for work, he Although he loves Stephanie, he knows that he is
says, and they have amazing times together. It not able to give her what she needs right now. He
is clear that he views Crystal as a purely sexual wants her to realize, however, that he always
object. Greg tells Kent that he feels guilty about liked the way she looks. She admits that she
lying to Carly and that he will not do that again perhaps made too big a deal out of his comment
for Kent. Kent sees this as a betrayal of their about her face. But to most girls it honestly is a
friendship, and he accuses Greg of sitting in big deal, she says. She feels good with Tim
moral judgment of him and his affair with because he lights up whenever he looks at her.
Crystal. Greg replies that he does not care what Greg gives Stephanie a long hug. They almost
Kent and Crystal do; he just does not want to be a kiss, but Stephanie starts to cry. She grabs her

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purse and exits. Greg watches her go, intensely perception of what it is. He knows now that that
aware of what could have been. He then sits is what he was trying to say to Stephanie. He
down and begins to read his book. When the thinks his experience with her has made him a
buzzer sounds, he defiantly lifts his middle finger more decent person and able to treat people
on one hand and flips the bird at it. better. He says he recently went to Stephanies
wedding where he sat with Carly and her baby
A moment with Greg:
daughter. Kent did not show up. Greg is glad he
Greg speaks to the audience and tries to articulate was there because he got to tell Stephanie how
what he has learned from everything that beautiful she looked and to see how much she
happened. He is back in college now and taking appreciated it. That is what he has really learned,
an art appreciation class. By studying the great he says that it is important to be nice to people,
paintings from the past he has learned that beauty and that it does not take much effort.
is subjective and that we all have a different

Multiple Choice Exercise

1. Stephanie breaks up with her boyfriend Greg because he called her face (a. unusual, b. ugly, c. regular).
2. Greg's comment was reported to Stephanie by (a. Kent, b. Carly, c. Crystal).
3. Greg and Kent work together in (a. a warehouse, b. a school, c. an office).
4. Carly, Kent's wife, works at the same place as a (a. manager, b. janitor, c. security guard).
5. Stephanie reads to Greg a list of (a. his defects, b. groceries to buy, c. things to take on vacation).
6. Kent is having an affair with (a. Stephanie, b. Greg, c. Crystal).
7. Greg feels guilty because he (a. lied to Carly about Kent and Crystal, b. picked a fight with Kent, c. slept
with Crystal).
8. Kent sees Crystal as a (a. human being, b. mother figure, c. sexual object).
9. Greg and Kent (a. remain buddies, b. end their friendship, c. continue playing baseball together).
10. Greg sends Carly home from work because (a. he knows her husband Kent is at home with Crystal, b. Carly
is sick, c. Carly is overworked).
11. Stephanie decides to (a. return to Greg, b. marry Tim, c. stay single).
12. Greg (a. goes back to college, b. joins the army, c. settles down with Carly)

Answer Key:
1..c, 2. b, 3. a, 4. c, 5. a, 6. c, 7. a, 8. c, 9. b, 10. a, 11. b, 12. a

Interpretative Exercise
1.Do you think Greg's comment about Stephanie's face was an insult or a compliment? Do you think she over-
reacted? Should he have said such a thing in the first place?

2.Do you know anyone who is like a character in the play? Have you had any of the same conversations or
arguments with your friends?

3.At the end of the play Greg says he has discovered what it takes to be a good person and what it means to be
pretty. Summarize what he says and describe what he has experienced in the play that has led him to these
conclusions.

4.Comment on how the characters in the play either grow up and do the responsible thing in the play, or do
not.

5.Discuss our obsession with being beautiful. Is it mostly positive or negative?

6.Do we judge people too quickly by how they look?

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