BUT IS IT ART?

4. June 2010 by admin.

BUT IS IT ART?

F. J. Hartland

“My friend Serge has bought a painting…”

So begins Yasmina Reza’s play Art now playing at the Public Theatre.  And who knew that a work of art could cause such turmoil for Serge and his two dearest friends Marc and Yvan?

It makes for a witty, funny evening that explores relationships and the nature of art.

Rob Breckenridge is perfect as the snide Marc—who laughs at his friend’s purchase.  It is easy to see why Serge would take offense at his friend’s hyena-like bray.

Darren Eliker is sufficiently pompous as the novice art collector.  You can easily read his childish delight in his new purchase—and his disappointment when no one else sees what he sees in his white painting…or “not white” as Serge would say. 

And Harry Bouvy steals the show as the neurotic Yvan, who is the butt of Marc and Serge’s jokes.  Yvan also has the misfortune of being caught in the battle between Serge and Marc.  Bouvy earns well-deserved applause for his lengthy monologue about his disastrous upcoming nuptials.  But when the going get really tough, he curls up in a chair in the fetal position.

It is the rapport between these three men that make Art the achievement it is.  They create an ideal ensemble that manages to find every single laugh in Reza’s script.

Director Ted Pappas has given a smooth, very funny production punctuated with cool jazz music.  It is a speedy evening—approximately 90 minutes.  But the slickness of the show makes it seem even shorter.  The only thing that made me shudder was when Serge pulled a bowl of olives out of a drawer in the coffee table…I had visions of moldy, fuzzy olives.

Anne Mundell’s minimalist set with its pastel colors is perfect.  Phil Monat has created lighting that is in harmony with the set and the mood of the play.

It is a fun-filled evening, well-worth seeing…full of laughs and the absurdites of friendship. 

And yes…it is also art.

Art continues trough June 27.

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