Translated by Christopher Hampton, this piece was originally in French, by a Yasmina Reza, a woman, painting a comically realistic portrait of three men, and their competing, conflicting, bonding and scoffing, pride and prejudice, identity and ridiculosity. (That SHOULD be a word.) It has Seinfeld-ian accents, as these three banter and bash each other over whether purchasing a white-on-white “piece of shit” painting is a $200.000 franc mistake.
Director, Scot Pohl, had been waiting since the pre-covid times to make his directing debut with this quirky show. He inquired about the possibility of casting one or more of the characters as a woman. The author said, no. The conflict between competition and bonding among males deserves its own arena.
Serge is the proud art collector, defending the “modern” virtues of his purchase. Newcomer Alan Greenberg portrays him with an art snob’s zeal perhaps masking a need for approval. Marc, mocks and laughs, played by semi-newcomer Andrew Stewart, who impressed as the “tough cop” in Lobby Hero. He also delivers on this complicated character. We identify with his mockery, and also his attempts at reconciliation.
Marc reports to Ivan (Joe Clark) and Ivan attempts the challenge of middle ground and shared laughter — but later bursts in with a platter of personal mother/stepmother catfights over whose name goes on the wedding invitations — perhaps questioning what is really worth getting upset about? His rant is frantic but lucid and adds laughs, lest you be taking all this art debate too seriously.
Because in the end, it’s about friendship, and how/whether we are who we are based on who our friends are, or whether friendship deserves a well-meaning lie once in awhile in order to remain a sanctuary in an otherwise burdensome life.
I loved the “exit music” a familiar song —but in French — to go along with the location of the show. I finally recognized it and laughed, in tribute to the white is white painting. A colorful exclamation point on this ART. (Los Bravos 1966)
Black is black
I want my baby back
It's grey, it's grey
Since she went away, oh oh
What can I do
'Cause I-I-I-I-I
I'm feelin' blue
ART continues at Riverwalk Thur-Sun through May 1
Reservations at 517-482-5700
or http://RiverwalkTheatre.com
P.S. Jeff Boerger's photographic lobby ART is another plus to attending this show!