'ART'
How much would you pay for an all-white painting? That’s the question explored in 'ART' by Yasmina Reza (English translation by Christopher Hampton). 'ART' is the first production of the season in the critically acclaimed Black Box Series at Villagers Theatre, a nonprofit center for the performing and cultural arts. The production will be directed by Rob Pherson of Somerset, who studied theatre at the University of Arizona. His wife, Catherine Rowe Pherson, will take the reins of producer.
The original French production of 'ART' won the Moliere Award for Best Play, Best Production and Best Author. It concerns Serge (Tom Stevenson of Princeton), who spends a fortune on an all-white painting, thus provoking a quarrel with his best friend, Marc (Jeff Maschi of Highland Park), who is outraged by this act of extravagance. A third man, Ivan (Danny Siegel of Princeton), attempts unsuccessfully to placate both sides. The play offers a profoundly funny look at friendship, rivalry and the nature of art. Jack Kroll of Newsweek said "It's an actor's dream, a nonstop cross-fire of crackling language, serious issues of life and art expressed in outbursts that sound like Don Rickles with a degree from the Sorbonne."
The Villagers Theatre is located at 415 DeMott Lane in Somerset, NJ 08873. Performances of 'ART' will be at 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, October 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23. There will be one Sunday matinee at 2:00 on October 17. All general admission tickets are $12. For reservations and directions to the theatre call the box office at 732-873-2710. Further information about the Villagers Theatre is available on our website at www.villagerstheatre.com
This program is made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council of the Arts/ Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program.
posted by Catherine Rowe @ 7:42 AM
1 Comments:
Theater Review from the Home News Tribune online - October 12, 2004:
ART
Franklin Villagers Black Box, 415 DeMott Lane, Franklin
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 23, with a 2 p.m. matinee this Sunday only.
$12.
(732) 873-2710; www.villagerstheatre.com
What is the essence of friendship? What is the essence of visual art? What is the essence of personal growth?
The Franklin Villagers' Theatre Black Box sparkling production of "Art" tackles these topics as well as a fourth: What is the essence of theater?
"Art," the Tony Award-winning comedy by Yasmina Reza, involves three Parisians -- Serge, Marc and Ivan -- friends for 15 years. It lays out their actions, reactions and interactions after Serge spends a fortune on a painting.
The painting is white.
Or at least, so says Marc (Jeff Maschi), a blustery, bullying sort. He fancies himself the mentor of the crew, the voice of reason.
Serge (Tom Stevenson) sees subtle shades of white in what he considers a modern art masterpiece. The painting makes him happy.
Ivan (Danny Siegel) lives a life out of control, so his role in the friendship is almost that of a pushmi-pullyu. Except he never sees Marc or Serge sneaking up on him.
In a stark, black box setting, "Art" hits the audience viscerally, from a belly laugh to a punch in the gut.
It's easy to feel the tension, the disgust, the near-rage Maschi brings to Marc when he's barely an arm's length away. His performance could carry to the back of a much larger theater, yet it's great to have him this close.
Siegel's proximity almost challenges the audience to hug him. Ivan is a bumbling man, something of a scatterbrain, perhaps a victim. Siegel brings him to life with just the right reins.
Stevenson imbues Serge with a Gaulish aloofness upon which the plot's main conflict sprawls.
The asides delivered by Maschi and by Stevenson help clarify the fissures growing in their flawed relationship. Before long, the question arises: What has kept these three together for a decade and a half?
Direction by Rob Pherson is akin to cooking up a swell stew: The gross (but not exaggerated) physical movements bubble in a theatrical pot with such simple but elegant spices as quick glances, quivering lips, and sputtering and stuttering. As with a good goulash, every bite of this production includes different flavors and textures.
Costumes, set and lighting, also guided by Pherson, use blacks, whites and grays to add color. This is essential theater, and it's a joy to watch.
If there's anything to fault, the translation by Christopher Hampton is uneven. Some phrasing -- and the actors' cadences in delivering those lines -- remains French, even if the words are English. The stray cultural/Parisian reference runs counter to the otherwise comfortably American-style conversations. It steals from the play's quick wit and sharp retorts.
Bill Zapcic: (732) 565-7345; bzapcic@thnt.com
Post a Comment
<< Home