Popular play about geniuses at CSC this week
A play that has attracted large audiences and set records as a “longest running show” will be presented this weekend by the Theatre Department of Chadron State College.
It is “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” written by noted entertainer Steve Martin and featuring two of the great minds of the 20th century, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso.
It won 1996 Outer Critics Circle Awards for best play and best writer.
The performances in the Black Box Theatre of Memorial Hall will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15-17 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18. Reservations may be made through the Memorial Hall box office.
The play is set in 1904, just a year before Einstein unveils his Theory of Relativity and young Pablo Picasso is moving from his “blue period” into the futuristic style for which he became renowned. They have a chance meeting at a French cabaret called “The Lapin Agile (“the agile rabbit.).
The two lead characters argue over topics such the nature of genius and the value of art vs. science, while Freddy, the bar owner; Germaine, his girlfriend; Sagot, Picasso's art dealer; and Gaston, a regular customer; join in the debate to discuss what the coming century holds.
Roger Mays, director of theatre at Chadron State, said a highly-intelligent, yet hilarious, fictional encounter between two of the greatest minds of the 20th Century develops. Some ideas that didn’t work are also included in the dialogue. Then the plot takes on a new dimension with the arrival of a surprise visitor from the future whom present-day audiences will readily recognize.
Martin has mastered the worlds of writing, stand-up comedy, acting and producing. He began his career writing for stars such as Glenn Campbell, the Smothers Brothers and Dick Van Dyke, became known as “the wild and crazy guy” on Saturday Night Live and then starred as in movies such as “Pennies From Heaven,” Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid,” “Cheaper by the Dozen,” “Sgt. Bilko” and the latest, “Shopgirl,” which he also wrote and produced.
He once said of the play, “It’s really about how exciting it is when you’re on the verge of something.”
Two veteran CSC actors hold the leads. Alex Schwarz of Bertrand is cast as Einstein at age 25 and Lars Monson of Benkelman portrays Picasso at age 23.
Others in the cast include Clint Wright of Oshkosh, who plays the part of Freddy, owner of the cabaret; Morgan Perry of Salisbury, Mo., is cast as Germaine, a waitress and Freddy’s girlfriend; Mike Mamula of Box Elder, S.D., portrays Gaston, an older patron in the bar; Brenda Lanphear, formerly of Cheyenne and now of Chadron, is Suzanne, a young patron; John T. Bryan III of Denver is cast as Sagot, Picasso’s art dealer; and Scott Roberts of Chadron portrays Charles Schmendiman, a young entrepreneur who would like to be in the same league as Einstein and Picasso.
Others in the cast include Shelby Wilson of Benkelman, a countess; Erica DeBoer of Morrill, a female admirer; and Rhett Breedlove of Riverton, Wyo., the surprise visitor.
The Memorial Hall box office is open from 2 to 6 p.m. each weekday. The telephone number is 432-6360. Tickets obtained in advance are $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens and youths 18 and under. All tickets at the door will be $6.
Photo: Actors who portray three renowned figures look into the future near the end of “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” that will be presented in the Black Box Theater at Chadron State College this week. They are, from left, Alex Schwarz, who portrays Albert Einstein; Rhett Breedlove, who portrays a mystery visitor; and Lars Monson, cast as Picasso.
Category: Campus News, Theatre