So, I've gotten a question or two about my recent trip to the Great White Way to see the new Neil LaBute drama "Reasons To Be Pretty," followed by supping at the Lower East Side eatery Fat Hippo.
Lady M and I thought ourselves quite clever for putting the two side-by-side. Figured we were in for a great two-parter of an evening.
Well, the first part was smashing. Must say that "Reasons To Be Pretty" is the most sentimental and hopeful play that I've ever seen from LaBute, and at moments I kind of wished it was a bit more shockingly hateful. But, all in all, it was gripping and I'll never think of the word "regular" in the same way ever again. It also introduced me to a riveting up-and-coming actress named Marin Ireland, who I'm sure will nab a Tony nod for her performance.
The second part of the evening started off well enough too. Fat Hippo's dining room was still hopping at 10:30pm on a weeknight, our waitress was lovely and our app of Hot And Sour Sautéed Calamari with ginger, garlic, lime and crushed peanuts was delish. The wine, conversation and Burger Fondue that followed were all damn fine as well.
A half-hour later at home though: NOT SO FINE. I felt wretched. I was wretched.
And, I couldn't help but wonder about the irony of it all. Obsession over beauty followed by decadent dining?
Let's simply call it "LaBute's Revenge."
Comments