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ABOUT THE PLAY
For most people, art is a matter of taste. Not so for Three men
in "ART". To these three, a debate about the merits of a piece
of modern art becomes a hilarious catastrophe in their fifteen-year
friendship.
Serge has recently paid an absurd amount of money for an entirely
white painting by the hottest new painter in Paris. He is hoping
his investment will catapult him into the highest echelon of art
collectors and is excited to display his new acquisition to his
two closest friends. Unfortunately, the response is not what he
had expected.
As their opposition becomes known, battle lines are drawn, and
the three friends square off over the canvas.
Marc, typically cynical and sarcastic, takes a single glance and
declares the purchase impulsive, foolish and trend-pandering.
Yvan, the eternal peacemaker, thinks the price overly extravagant,
but still defers to Serge's right to make the purchase and is
glad for his pride in the piece.
What begins as a philosophical exchange about creativity and freedom
soon becomes a savage comedy about the sophistication of art and
the fragility of friendship. The composition becomes the excuse
the three have needed to comically batter relentlessly over the
personal failings of each.
Because of its ability to expound on the nature of art, life,
and the relationship of friends in terms both piercing and hilarious,
the honesty in ART is as rare and invigorating as a fine painting
itself. Not only is the play scintillating and different, but
the central controversy provided by the painting - and the trio's
reaction to it - is so provocative that the play can be debated
as passionately by the audience as the canvas is debated on onstage.
ART has been praised internationally for being both shrewdly conceived
and stunningly written. Newsweek called ART "...a nonstop cross-fire
of crackling language...a marriage of Moliere and Woody Allen...Reza
is a fiendishly clever writer." The Independent in London called
it "funny, sophisticated, stylish, stimulating and moving." The
London Times said, "A remarkably wise, witty and intelligent comedy...ART
has touched a universal nerve." Attesting to its universality,
the play has been translated into 20 languages and produced worldwide.
During its overwhelmingly successful runs in New York, London
and Paris, ART won many major theatre awards, including, respectively,
the 1998 Tony Award for Best Play, the 1996 Olivier Award for
Best Comedy, and the Moliere Award for Best Play, Best Production
and Best Author.
For further information Contact Sol Baumrind 802-253-8748 or via
email at Lbaumrind@aol.com
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