**** Highly Recommended Remy Bumppo’s production of Art, now playing at Theater Wit, is a witty, stylish, intelligent and sometimes hilarious play, skillfully directed by Marti Lyons. The first time I saw Art, back in 2006, I remember that a friend asked if the play debated the nature of art. My answer is the same today as it was then – while art is integral to the plot, Art is much more about the nature of friendship. When friends get mad at each other, they know exactly which buttons to push. This is a terrific show! 4 Spotlights
Three long-time friends, Marc (Justin Albinder), Serg (Chad Bay), Yvan (Eduardo Curley) who live in Paris, get together often.
Serge studies art and dearly wants to be a collector. When he buys a very expensive painting, he wants approval from his friends. The all-white painting has a couple of diagonal lines – also white – for contrast.
When Serg invites Marc over and casually mentions he’s bought a painting, he doesn’t get the reaction he was hoping for. After one look at the painting, Marc says it’s a piece of sh*t. He thinks Serge has taken leave of his senses, and says so.
When Marc tells their mutual friend Yvan about the painting, he expects Yvan to agree with him. Yvan has his own problems – he’s newly engaged, has a new dead-end retail job at a business owned by his future in-law, and by the way, the wedding plans are making him crazy.
When they meet for dinner plans, Yvan is late and Serge and Marc, already upset with Yvan for his ambivalence about the painting, grow more and more irate. When Yvan finally gets there hysterically venting his own issues, they get into an escalating argument – almost resulting in Armageddon – “over a white square,” as Yvan says.
In a slight break from the argument, Serge brings out a bowl of olives and their anger and frustration comes out as they eat, which turns out to be a hoot. The acting makes the difference. Art is extremely funny and not pretentious at all.
Art, written in French by Yasmina Reza, premiered in Paris in 1994. Translated into English by Christopher Hamption, it opened in London’s West End in 1996. It opened on Broadway in 1998 starring Alan Alda, Victor Garber and Alfred Molina, winning the Tony Award for Best Play that same year. Broadway revival is scheduled for later this year.
Art runs through June 1st at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont, Chicago. Park in Theater Wit’s lot across the street for $10 (pay at box office).
Running time is approximately 80 minutes, no intermission. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2:30 pm, with an additional matinee on Saturdays, May 17th & 31st, and Thursday, May 22nd, all at 2:30 p.m.
Post-show discussions will be held immediately after Sunday performances during May at 2:30 pm and Thursday, May 22nd at 7:30 pm. Open Caption performance is Saturday, May 17th at 2:30 pm; Audio Description/Touch Tour performance is Thursday, May 22nd at 2:30 pm.
Tickets range from $15-$55. FYI (773) 975-8150 or www.remybumppo.org.