Zut alors, mes amis! S’il vous plait! Go out to Geneseo to take in Richmond Hill Players’ current production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile where director extraordinaire Jennifer Kingry works her magic to dazzle and entertain. C’est magnifique!
Picasso at the Lapin Agile is a hit comedy play written by actor and comedian Steve Martin in 1993. It imagines a fictional meeting between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein at a Parisian bar in 1904, just before they changed art and science forever.
Main characters include Pablo Picasso, a young, arrogant painter on the verge of inventing cubism; Albert Einstein, a quirky, brilliant patent clerk who is about to publish his theory of relativity; the owner and bartender of the Lapin Agile, Freddy; Germaine, Freddy’s girlfriend and barmaid; Suzanne, one of Picasso's romantic interests; S agot, Picasso’s art dealer; Count Gaston, an older, wealthy man who loves women and wine; and The Visitor, a mysterious, famous surprise guest from a later era.
This absolutely brilliant and witty script compares how both creative endeavors shape human understanding and how genius and egotism fueled by massive egos are required to change the world.
Each character in Lapin Agile has a specific role. For example, Schmendiman, an inventor, believes he is a genius but really knows very little, while Gaston, an amicable old Frenchman with prostate problems, is hesitant to listen to or believe anything that does not revolve around sex or drinking. There is much discussion of the major cultural influences of the twentieth century. Picasso represents art, Einstein represents science, and Schmendiman represents commercialism. They eventually realize that all of their respective abilities are equally valuable.
Kingry has assembled a 24-carat cast. There really isn’t a ringer in the bunch and time prevents praising each actor so I must limit my kudos to Mischa Hooker and Justin Raver as Einstein and Picasso. The lovely Kassidy Holdridge is delightful as the coquette Suzanne AND as the distinguished Countess and Samuel Carrington brings his big, bold personality to Mr. Schmediman. This show is so clever and so funny that you’ll be rolling in the aisles.
This approximate 90-minute production is presented without intermission and packs a powerful one-two punch of comedy that will fly by like the Concorde jet. Please note that it is rated PG-13 for adult humor, mild profanity, sexual innuendo and the barroom setting.
Picasso at the Lapin Agile continues at Richmond Hill Players Barn Theatre in Geneseo, Thursday through Saturday, August 27 through 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 30 at 3:00 p.m.
I’m Chris Hicks…adieu and break a leg.