Arizona Theatre Company's Picasso at the Lapin Agile at Herberger Theatre
(out
of )Mark S.P. Turvin
(home office) (602) 912-0117
I can be reached for comment via e-mail at: mspt@goldfishpublishers.com
Reviewed 10/9/98
(out
of )A potential audience member must realize before stepping into the theatre to view Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile that when one enters the mind of Mr. Martin, they are in for a very odd and entertaining ride. The author describes the play as an hour-and-a-half of his personal musings on the question: "What if Picasso and Einstein met in a bar when they were twenty-something, right before they made their breakthrough achievements?" While this sounds simple enough a topic for a play, nothing is ever simple with Steve Martin. Out the window are such conceits as Continuity of Time, Place, and Character, and in their stead are such left-handed musings and unexpected twists as befits the original "Wild and Crazy Guy." While Mr. Martin is not an actual character in the play, his presence is always felt, like signature strokes in a painting. Director David Ira Goldstein and Arizona Theatre Company have taken the challenge to offer Phoenix a glimpse into this cerebral, slightly lunatic world, with the result being one of the best plays to come from ATC in years.
Mr. Goldstein has collected a wonderful cast of nine, including two prominent local actors, to portray the patrons of the Paris bistro, The Lapin Agile, in 1904. The pacing, appropriately frantic at some points, decidedly measured at others, aids greatly in this intellectual, off-balance romp. In harmony with his well-cast actors, Mr. Goldstein has managed to present what could potentially be an overwhelming play in an easy-to-handle way.
The peak performances of a top-notch cast come from the two leads. Jos Viramontes, who is surprisingly performing his first Equity role, is entrancing as the self-absorbed, though obviously talented Picasso. He manages to seduce everyone onstage at the right points, save for the equally talented Einstein. As the master of contemporary scientific intellect, Michael Santo is superb. His mannerisms are exactly as one expects from a young Einstein, without ever seeming caricature.
The supporting cast is equally up to the challenge. Local actor Gerald Burgess plays bistro owner Freddy as a likeable oaf with occasional brilliant insights, and Jared Sakren plays art dealer Clovis Sagot with much pomposity and bravado, balancing some of the more contemplative moments. Roberto Guajardo plays older patron Gaston with a very quick wit and an even quicker bladder, and his comic timing is impeccable. The two smaller roles, David Orley's Charles Dabernow Schmedniman and the surprising, yet utterly fitting visitor, played by Kelland Lindsey, are also perfectly cast and wonderfully performed.
The two women of the show, Deborah Van Valkenburgh as Freddy's wife and barmaid Germaine, and Stephanie Shine's portrayal of three roles, are the best that they can do, although their parts are the only slight defect of an otherwise wonderful evening. Save for an interesting monologue and scene from each of the women, all of which were perfectly played, the author has not given much of a voice to women in this play that considers the developments of the Twentieth Century. This is not an obvious thing, and my companion, a woman, did not give this as much of a thought as I, but it is a noticeable lacking in an otherwise delightful script.
Scenic Designer Bill Forrester and Lighting Designer Tracy Odishaw have risen to their challenge with a visual delight for the senses. The Lapin Agile is well-represented, and has a few surprises of its own. Rose Pederson's costumes are perfectly period, and Brian Jerome Peterson's sound design flawless.
Mr. Goldstein has opened an ambitious and exciting season with
a perfectly off-kilter play. If this production is any indication,
with a little luck and the usual amount of hard work, this may
be one of the best season's that Arizona Theatre Company has put
together in quite a while.
Production Details:
Picasso at the Lapin Agile
by Steve Martin
Arizona
Theatre Company at the Herberger Theatre, Phoenix
256-6995 or 252-8497
October 9th-October 24th, 1998