Theatre Review

Absorbing, witty 'art' at 2nd Story

By Don Fowler
Posted 4/26/17

Theatre Review By DON FOWLER 2nd Story Theatre Director Ed Shea has discovered a wonderful, witty, absorbing little one-act (70-minute), three-character play that fits perfectly into the downstairs Warren theatre. Art" by French playwright Yasmina Reza"

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Theatre Review

Absorbing, witty 'art' at 2nd Story

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2nd Story Theatre Director Ed Shea has discovered a wonderful, witty, absorbing little one-act (70-minute), three-character play that fits perfectly into the downstairs Warren theatre.

“Art” by French playwright Yasmina Reza is a Tony Award-winning tour de force that will provide many laughs with its fast paced dialogue.

Serge (Luis Astudillo) has paid 200,000 francs for a “modernist” canvas that is all white with three diagonal white lines. Marc (Ed Shea), his friend of 15 years, is shocked, offended and unnerved by his actions, using the S-word to describe it. The two argue over the painting, bringing their mutual friend Yvan (Kevin Broccoli) into the conversation.

While Marc and Serge are passionate about their feelings toward the painting and art in general, Yvan is more wishy-washy, wanting the tension and friction between his friends to go away so they can go out to dinner.

What starts out as a minor disagreement accelerates to a mammoth war of words, where suppressed feelings are hurled at each other, while poor Yvan gets caught in the middle.

The concept of the three-character play is quite different than what you usually expect to see on stage. There are monologues directed at the audience, two-way dialogues, and three-way conversations.

When the situation starts to get quite tense, Yvan (Broccoli) goes into a long monologue about his new job, upcoming marriage and problems with planning the wedding. It is hilarious.

There’s lots of humor interspersed with some condescension, ingratiating barbs and deep resentment.

Reza has carefully constructed her clever play to slowly bring out hidden feelings that test the friendships of her fascinating characters. “Art” is a nice break from conventional theatre, a play that both makes you laugh and makes you think. It takes three good actors working in harmony to pull it off, and 2nd Story succeeds on that score.

“Art” is at 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St. in Warren through May 21. Tickets are $35. Unlike most theatres that discount senior tickets, 2nd Story is all for attracting younger people, and offers a $10 discount to those 25 and younger. Call 247-4200 for reservations.

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