“The Ugly One” Theatrical Debut
February 26th, 2009
The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis recently hosted the American debut of “The Ugly One” written by Marius von Mayenburg. I was introduced to the project by Dr. William McGuire and together we helped fund the production at the Guthrie. This experimental performance explores the interplay of both internal and external perceptions of physical appearance as they are influenced by cosmetic surgery. The main character experiences the effects of a dramatic change in his appearance provided by a plastic surgeon. It changes his life. He is popular, he is respected at work. However, his happiness is short-lived when the surgeon begins to franchise his appearance and identical faces appear within his work and social circles. He is no longer unique.
This application of an ideal physical appearance in the realm of cosmetic surgery actually influences many of the results seen today. How many times have you heard, “She has a Dr. Jones nose.†Facelifts can turn out the same cookie-cutter way. Individuals may end up with more of a change in physical appearance rather than an improvement in their own physical beauty.
I maintain that perhaps the best results of cosmetic surgery should primarily build on the foundation of your own unique physical appearance. For me, the greatest compliment I can receive from a patient is to hear that their friends and family are telling them they look better, look rested or look more fit. Let’s face it, nobody wants to be the ugly one!
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