reasons to be pretty 2009

Run Time:
2 hours, with one intermission
Opened: April 2, 2009
Closing: June 14, 2009

reasons to be pretty - 2009 - Broadway History , Info & More

MCC Theater's presentation of Neil LaBute's bristling new comic drama reasons to be pretty transfers to Broadway!



America's obsession with physical beauty is confronted headlong in this brutal and exhilarating new play. In reasons to be pretty, Greg's tight-knit social circle is thrown into turmoil when his offhanded remarks about a female coworker's pretty face (and his girlfriend's lack thereof) get back to said girlfriend. But that's just the beginning.



Greg's best buddy Kent, and Kent's wife Carly also enter into the picture and the emotional equation becomes exponentially more complicated. As their relationships crumble, the four friends are forced to confront a sea of deceit, infidelity and betrayed trust in their journey to answer that oh-so-American question: How much is pretty worth?

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Review - reasons to be pretty: Not The Kind That You Would Find In A Statue
by Kristin Salaky - April 17, 2009


There's a moment in Show Boat where a woman sings that her true love, 'just plain Bill,' is 'an ordinary man' who 'isn't half as handsome as dozens of men' and is, on the whole, kinda stupid. This is considered by many to be one of the most romantic love songs of the 20th Century. In Neil LaBute's somewhat revised (like this review) Off-Broadway to Broadway transfer of reasons to be pretty, the main character, reacting to his buddy's ravings about how hot another woman is, says that his girlfriend of four years may be 'regular' looking, but he wouldn't trade her for a million bucks. This will not be considered one of the most romantic sentiments of the 21st Century.

Review - reasons to be pretty & Len, Asleep In Vinyl
by Michael Dale - June 3, 2008


There's a moment in Show Boat where a woman sings that her true love, 'just plain Bill,' is 'an ordinary man' who 'isn't half as handsome as dozens of men' and is, on the whole, kinda stupid.  This is considered by many to be one of the most romantic love songs of the 20th Century.  In Neil LaBute's new reasons to be pretty the main character, reacting to his buddy's ravings about how hot another woman is, says that his girlfriend of four years may be 'regular' looking, but he wouldn't trade her for a million bucks. This will not be considered one of the most romantic sentiments of the 21st Century.

UK Rialto Chatter: Pop Star Lily Allen Headed to West End 'Reasons to Be Pretty'?
by Robert Diamond - September 14, 2009


UK theatre site WhatsOnStage.com is reporting that pop star Lily Allen is planning to make her theatrical debut in 2010, starring in the West End production of Reasons to Be Pretty. She told journalists this weekend that her touring ends in March at which point she'll be ready to 'try something new.' The site also reports that she has started acting lessons in preparation.

'REASONS TO BE PRETTY' To Close On Broadway 6/14
by BWW News Desk - June 14, 2009


The producers of Neil LaBute's Reasons To Be Pretty, have announced the production will end its Broadway run at the Lyceum Theatre on June 14th. A show spokesperson reported the news, a full announcement will be made shortly.

'REASONS TO BE PRETTY' To Close On Broadway 6/14
by Eddie Varley - June 8, 2009


The producers of Neil LaBute's Reasons To Be Pretty, have announced the production will end its Broadway run at the Lyceum Theatre on June 14th. A show spokesperson reported the news, a full announcement will be made shortly.

'REASONS TO BE PRETTY' Announces New Summer Schedule
by Eddie Varley - June 4, 2009


The producers of Neil LaBute's Reasons To Be Pretty, the best new Broadway play of the season*, have announced a new summer performance schedule. Beginning Monday, June 15, 2009 the show will play Mondays at 8:00 p.m., Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m., Wednesdays at 2:00 & 8:00 p.m., Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.

BWW Discounts Gives You 'Reasons' to Save at 'REASONS'
by Eddie Varley - May 27, 2009


Reasons To Be Pretty was recently nominated for 3 Tony Awards, including Best Play, 2 Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Play, 3 Drama League Awards, including Distinguished Production of a Play and 4 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Play. Now BroadwayWorld.com brings you a 'reason' to be happy with our special discount code for the hit play.

Cannavale and Weber Set for 'REASONS' Talkback Hosting Duties 5/24 - 25
by Eddie Varley - May 21, 2009


Following a spate of successful post-show talkbacks, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty has announced that actor Bobby Cannavale will appear following Sunday's (5/24 at 3:00 p.m.) performance and actor Steven Weber will appear following Monday's (5/25 at 8:00 p.m.) performance.

Raul Esparza Set To Appear In REASONS TO BE PRETTY Post Show Talkback 5/19
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 18, 2009


Following a spate of successful post-show talkbacks, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty has announced that actor Raúl Esparza will appear following tomorrow, Tuesday's (5/19 at 7:00 p.m.) performance in a talkback with the entire cast of the Tony Award-nominated Neil LaBute play, including Tony-nominated Marin Ireland and Thomas Sadoski.

Julianna Margulies Hosts reasons to be pretty's Talk-back With Cast 5/17
by BWW News Desk - May 17, 2009


Following a spate of successful post-show talkbacks, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty has announced that actor Julianna Margulies will appear following this Sunday's (5/17 at 3:00 p.m.) performance in a talkback with the entire cast of the Tony Award-nominated Neil LaBute play, including Tony-nominated Marin Ireland and Thomas Sadoski.

Julianna Margulies Hosts reasons to be pretty's Talk-back With Cast 5/17
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 14, 2009


Following a spate of successful post-show talkbacks, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty has announced that actor Julianna Margulies will appear following this Sunday's (5/17 at 3:00 p.m.) performance in a talkback with the entire cast of the Tony Award-nominated Neil LaBute play, including Tony-nominated Marin Ireland and Thomas Sadoski.

Photo Coverage: Paul Rudd Hosts 'reasons to be pretty' Talkback
by Eddie Varley - May 13, 2009


Following a successful weekend of post-show events with Andrew McCarthy, Christopher Meloni and playwright Neil LaBute, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty welcomed actor Paul Rudd who appeared following the Tuesday, May 12th performance.

Paul Rudd Set To Host reasons to be pretty Talk-back With Cast 5/12
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 11, 2009


Following a successful weekend of post-show events with Andrew McCarthy, Christopher Meloni and playwright Neil LaBute, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty has announced that actor Paul Rudd will appear following tomorrow's (Tuesday, 5/12 at 7:00 p.m.) performance in a talkback with the entire cast, including Tony-nominated Marin Ireland and Thomas Sadoski.

Meloni & McCarthy Moderate LaBute 'reasons to be pretty' Talk-backs 5/9-10
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 8, 2009


The best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty welcomes its playwright Neil LaBute to New York City this weekend for an unprecedented series of rare public appearances. Intimate post-show discussions with LaBute will take place on stage immediately following the Saturday, 5/9 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 5/10 3:00 p.m. performances.

REASONS TO BE PRETTY Playwright LaBute To Make Rare NYC Appearances 5/9, 5/10
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 4, 2009


The best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty will welcome its playwright Neil LaBute to New York City this weekend for an unprecedented series of rare public appearances. LaBute and director Terry Kinney will participate in an event at Borders in the Time Warner Center (10 Columbus Circle) this Saturday, 5/9 at 5:00 p.m.

REASONS TO BE PRETTY Launches In-Theatre Texting Campaign
by Charlie Piane - April 29, 2009


Audiences at Neil LaBute's smash hit, reasons to be pretty, now have an unprecedented way to interact with the best new Broadway play of the season. Running counter to conventional wisdom, audiences are encouraged to turn ON their cell phones prior to the performance to participate in a social experiment by texting ?pretty' to a special phone number. They are then given the opportunity to rate themselves - and the person sitting next to them - on a scale of 1 to 10 (from Carrot Top to Angelina Jolie). Results from that performance's participants are texted back at intermission and are posted online. Check www.reasonstobepretty.com to find how last night's audience rated themselves... and each other.

BWW TV Show Preview: reasons to be pretty
by Craig Brockman - April 22, 2009


Catch scenes from Neil LaBute's new play, reasons to be pretty starring Marin Ireland, Steven Pasquale, Piper Perabo and Thomas Sadoski.

REASONS TO BE PRETTY Website Offers 50% Off Thru 4/12 & $26.50 Student Rush Tix
by Gabrielle Sierra - April 9, 2009


Neil LaBute made his long-awaited Broadway debut with the new American play, reasons to be pretty, under the direction of Terry Kinney last week, and it's a smash hit. But that doesn't mean that young audiences can't get in to see the hippest, hottest and sexiest show on Broadway.

RIALTO CHATTER: 'reasons' To Be Wary, Audience Member Creates a 'Scene' at LaBute Play
by Eddie Varley - April 5, 2009


PThe New York Times reports that a spokesman for the Broadway production of Neil LaBute's 'reasons to be pretty' revealed Sunday that the show's producers had beefed up the security detail at the Lyceum Theater following an incident at the Saturday evening performance.

Photo Coverage: 'reasons to be pretty' Opening Night Celebration
by Eddie Varley - April 3, 2009


Preview performances began, Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) with an official opening night celebrated on Thursday, April 2, 2009. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there for all the opening night fun.

Photo Coverage: 'reasons to be pretty' Opens on Broadway - Curtain Call at the Lyceum
by Eddie Varley - April 3, 2009


Preview performances began, Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) with an official opening night celebrated on Thursday, April 2, 2009. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there to cheer the 'reasons' gang on!

LaBute Hits Bdwy 'reasons to be pretty' Opens 4/2
by Eddie Varley - April 2, 2009


Preview performances began Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) with an official opening night scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2009.

Photo Flash: REASONS TO BE PRETTY
by Reynard Loki - March 24, 2009


'reasons to be pretty' confronts America's obsession with physical beauty headlong. In Neil LaBute's new play, Greg's tight-knit social circle is thrown into turmoil when his off-handed remarks about a female co-worker's pretty face (and his girlfriend's lack thereof) get back to said girlfriend. But that's just the beginning.

Photo Coverage: An Evening with Neil LaBute & Friends
by Walter McBride - March 24, 2009


Playwright, filmmaker and author Neil LaBute participated in the New York Times TimesTalks series at the new TimesCenter (242 West 41st Street) on Monday, March 23rd at 6:30 p.m.

reasons to be pretty FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of reasons to be pretty have there been?
reasons to be pretty has had 4 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 2008, Off-Broadway which opened in 2008, Broadway which opened in 2009 and West End which opened in 2011.
What Tony Awards has reasons to be pretty been nominated for?
Best Play , , .
What awards has reasons to be pretty been nominated for?
Reasons to Be Pretty has been nominated for several awards. Terry Kinney was nominated for Outstanding Director of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards. Neil LaBute was nominated for Outstanding Play at the Drama Desk Awards. The show was also nominated for Outstanding New Broadway Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Marin Ireland received a nomination for Performance at the Theatre World Awards.
What awards has reasons to be pretty won?
"Reasons to Be Pretty" has won several awards and received nominations for others. Terry Kinney won the Outstanding Director of a Play award at the Drama Desk Awards. Neil LaBute, the playwright, won the Outstanding Play award at the Drama Desk Awards. The show also won the Outstanding New Broadway Play award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Marin Ireland, one of the performers in the show, received a Performance award at the Theatre World Awards.

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