Kutcher to Star in LaBute's FAT PIG?

So speculates Michael Reidel in The Post:

"To the parade of great actors who've appeared on Broadway in the last few years -- Patrick Stewart, Frank Langella, Richard Griffiths, Geoffrey Rush -- we may soon, if we're lucky, be able to add . . . Ashton Kutcher!

Mr. Demi Moore, I'm told, is considering an offer to star in Neil LaBute's 'Fat Pig.'

In 'Fat Pig,' Kutcher would play Tom, a nice-looking guy who dates the sweet but heavyset Helen.

When Tom's friends find out about the romance, they tease him mercilessly.

'Fat Pig' played off-Broadway five years ago. It starred Jeremy Piven, whose mercury levels back in those days were within the normal range.

The reviews were decent but, for various reasons, the production never transferred to Broadway.

Fran and Barry Weissler produced the play in London last year. The production, which LaBute directed, received glowing reviews, with some critics calling it his best play yet.

LaBute will direct the Broadway version as well..."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06172009/entertainment/theater/kutcher_in_the_wry_174656.htm

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Updated On: 6/17/09 at 08:49 AM

I don't know where I got this idea, but I suspect that Riedel isn't overly impressed with Mr. Kutcher. Just a suspicion.

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This is wonderful news for the theater community. I guess it also explains why Kutcher had to back out of his commitment to appear in a revival of "Golda's Balcony".

Well I wouldnt mind seeing this. Would it be considered original or revival though?

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But, can Ashton Kutcher act withoout shouting his lines or acting like a dufus?

"I'm looking forward to The Players' tribute to Ashton Kutcher, who, when he's at his best, resembles an actor."


Wow...that's not at all snarky.

Does anybody know anything else about the casting of this?

Or at the very least, Rosie O'Donnell.

I think it's a great play, and not really predictable at all. I think to someone not familiar with LaBute, the ending was a little hard to swallow.

But I think it's a great play, and should be seen on Broadway.

He has a weird "everyman" quality about it, so I can see why he's being sought after for Tom, but I think most audiences would want to see him as Carter.

And yeah, I think a lot of LaBute's plays are hard to peg as "comedies." Like, "reasons...." is more of a dramatic comedy than anything. I remember at the Tony Awards when Pasquale was introducing the clip and he was reading from the prompter and said "Ha, Comedy? Um.." and then kept going. It's obviously a good mix of both.

Oh, please. He needs to go to London and do this in one of those theaters the size of a dinner table where the starstruck critics will fawn over him.

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To call Reidel's article snarky is to be kind. Snotty and envious came to mind as if Mister Reidel could do a better job if only he were asked.

Whether Fat Pig ought to be on Broadway at all is another question entirely. Reidel is trying to kill Kutcher before rehearsals start and that sort of bitchy tone is what I expect from the Post as well as room full of eighth graders.

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Susan Boyle!

I personally think it's a wonderful play. Just reading the script made me cry. A lot.

A theatre company I've done shows for here is planning to do it next season and I may or may not be playing Helen, we'll see. I'd feel incredibly honored if I do.