Lee Orchard, director of Valparaiso University's production of "The Shape of Things," does not expect viewers of his production of the Neil LaBute drama to leave in a shiny, happy mood.

"He doesn't hold back any punches in this," he said. "LaBute goes right to the stomach. He's gritty and very controversial. The audience is going to feel uncomfortable with this production."

Opening Thursday and running through April 5 at the Studio Theatre in the VU Center for the Arts, "Shape" tells the tale of Adam, a college student, whose life is changed and friendships are challenged when he falls in love with Evelyn, an artist and fellow student.

"Shape" was penned by LaBute, who has also wrote and helmed acclaimed stage and film works such as "In the Company of Men" and "Your Friends and Neighbors." The drama made its stage debut in London in 2001, starring Paul Rudd as Adam and Rachel Weisz as Evelyn, and the duo reprised their roles for a big screen version of the play two years later.

Orchard, who is also the chairman of VU's theater department, saw LaBute's London production, with many of his cast and students discovering the play last year at a theater festival on the East Coast.

"I always look for a production that the students can get exited about," Orchard said. "And, as an artist, I look for something I can connect to that has some interesting thoughts and ideas."

Alex Albiniak, a junior from Cordova, Tenn., plays Adam, with Caroline Crafton, a senior from North Bergen, N.J., as Evelyn. Carly Hively, a junior from Columbia City, Ind., and Dane Callstrom, a freshman from Prairie Village, Kan., respectively, play Jenny and Phillip, friends of Adam's who get caught up in the drama between him and Evelyn.

"I want (audiences) to go out (of the theater) carrying the play for days and processing it," Orchard said."I want them to think about how much they can be swept away just by the appearance of things rather than what's really going on."

Due to adult content, "The Shape of Things" is not recommended for younger or sensitive viewers.