Tickets are $4 for MC students, faculty and staff; $5 for other students and senior citizens; and $6 for adults. They may be reserved by calling 309-457-2104 or by e-mailing theater@monm.edu.

Patrons are invited to the theater at 1 p.m. on Oct. 5 to discuss with students and faculty from the art department the role of the artist in society, as well as controversial artistic techniques. On display in and around Wells Theater during the run of the production will be exhibits of artwork by MC students, faculty and members of the community.

According to Janeve West, professor of theater and director of the upcoming production, the plot of the play involves a student, Adam, who, while visiting an art museum, meets an artist named Evelyn and is immediately infatuated.

"As their relationship grows," said West, "she gradually encourages Adam to change in various ways. Adam is more and more agreeable with each request, while Evelyn’s antics become darker and darker as her influence begins to twist Adam and his friends in hurtful ways."

"The Shape of Things" premiered at the Almeida Theatre in London in 2001. The production was released as a film in 2003, starring Paul Rudd as Adam, Rachel Weisz as Evelyn, Gretchen Mol as Jenny and Fred Weller as Phillip.

In her synopsis of the play, West asks some of the fundamental questions the audience is likely to ask: "Is Evelyn truly evil, or is Adam literally asking for it? Where do you draw the line?" West will only say that the final scene reveals the chilling purpose behind this relationship, Evelyn’s true feelings and Adam’s true weakness.

Along with the four actors in the production – sophomore John Snowdon of Roscoe as Adam, juniors Jess Boggie of Machesney Park as Evelyn and Kate Drose of Naperville as Jenny and freshman Ken Yeater of Galesburg as Phillip – eight artists were cast and charged with the creation of what West calls "happenings" across the MC campus.

Though the structure was fairly loose, each event or happening had to be artistic in some manner, slightly spontaneous and unpublicized. These happenings will continue to occur randomly across the campus up until the performances. Their purpose, said West, is to spur a discussion of art, the role of the artist in society and to question the boundaries of art.

"This production will question the value of art, the artist and the artist’s choice of materials," said West. Partnering with the college’s art department, it will combine live theater and film, performance art, sculpture and painting.

The director cautions that the production of "The Shape of Things" contains adult language and situations not recommended for younger viewers.