When art, truth and relationships combine, the results can be dangerous.

This weekend's No Refund Theatre show, The Shape of Things by Neil LaBute, focuses on the truth in art, depicting the exploitation and objectification a woman has the power to inflict in this modern-day retelling of the fall of man.

The story centers on two college couples, but strongly focuses on the relationship between one of these couples, Adam and Evelyn. Adam, in the beginning of the play, is a slightly overweight, awkward young man who begins to change himself for Evelyn, and as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Evelyn has control of the relationship through her unconventional set of values and hatred of falsity.

The transformation of Adam results in a twist that neither of the directors of the show or any of the actors would speak about. Robin Wachsberger (senior-theatre), who plays Evelyn in the show, said that although Evelyn basically transforms Adam, her main objective is to portray truth.

"Evelyn is a dangerously artistic individual who strives to keep her integrity above all else," Wachsberger said.

The complexity of the characters like Evelyn is a reason co-directors Mary Ann Brosnan (junior-English and theatre) and Laura Davies (junior-English and film) picked The Shape of Things.

Brosnan said that because the characters are fully developed, the show allowed them to have a small cast with no small characters. Each character has its own personality, and Brosnan said it makes for an interesting show.

"The characters are trying to find their ideal person. It leaves the audience with a lot to think about," Brosnan said.

Davies said each character experiences an "emotional catharsis."

"They find out how far you can push someone's limitations," she said.

Cast members said that the show will make the audience think about what it means to be in a relationship. Wachsberger said the show is probably not the best place to bring a date.

"It's not a date play," she said.

Jeff Domenick (senior-mechanical engineering) plays Adam in the show and said the role is the most serious he has ever had.

"Some of the things Adam does are hard to stomach. Adam really swallowed his ego for Evelyn," Domenick said.

He added that, in some ways, he doesn't like the character of Evelyn very much. Much of the scenes are fraught with tension.

"[Evelyn's] steadfast and sometimes crude idealism pushes her to lengths that will surely shock the average audience goer," Wachsberger said.

Brosnan agrees, but also said the audience will feel a connection with each character.

"The audience will come away with strong feelings," she said. "The characters are accessible, though, and everyone can relate to them in some way."