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So, Einstein and Picasso walk into a bar . . .
January 27, 2006 | Picture the disheveled genius who
worked on relativity and "the Big One" meeting the obscure,
stylistic painter and getting together for a few drinks
and friendly conversation. Just imagine the topics and
confusion that fill the pub. Imagine the misunderstandings,
the confused looks and the laughter that are included.
Imagine the possibility.
Utah State Theatre realizes this scene with the production
of Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile.
The Caine Lyric Theatre stage (28 W. Center St.) welcomes
two iconic characters at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 911 and 1518
at 7:30. Utah State Theatre is the production arm of
the department of theatre at Utah State University.
Actor and comedian Steve Martin is easily recognized
for his film roles in Hollywood or his multiple stints
on Saturday Night Live. What he is not noted
for is his talent in writing, said production co-director
Kevin Doyle.
"A lot of people think of Steve Martin and they
think slapstick," Doyle said. "But he has
been writing essays for The New Yorker magazine
for years, and there's a wit and cleverness behind that
work that we don't often see in his films. With film
we know he's writing to his fan base, but his plays
are more sophisticated, comedically and thematically."
According to Doyle, Picasso at the Lapin Agile
is an exemplary illustration of this.
Doyle said the production is charged with laughs and
a bittersweet aura of hope and tragedy.
"It's about the coming together of the potentially
major shakers of the 20th century at the very beginning
of that period," he said. "Picasso meets Albert Einstein
and about nine other people who, while not being quite
as famous, all have a stake in the new century and something
to add to it. We find out how there's art in science
and science in art. We see the hopes for the next century
and the dangers that may (and do) lie ahead. We see
people who care, are involved, are witty and smart,
and who have just as much to offer as Einstein does
to science and Picasso to art. It begs the audience
to think like those at the Lapin Agile — what will be
the next major movement? How will what we say, do, think
now affect events in the next century? Are we on the
cusp of some of the greatest achievements in world history
or will the next century be cursed by war and trouble?"
Utah State Theatre's production of Picasso at
the Lapin Agile is also an opportunity for undergraduate
director Richie Call to take the helm of a mainstage
production, which is also a first for UST. Call, studying
theatre with an emphasis in performance, is on the verge
of graduate school and is pursuing directing as a course
of study. Call has taken on the major tasks and artistic
direction with Picasso, while Doyle has served
as the adviser on the project. Call has directed numerous
small, studio stage productions, but this production
is a task he is ready for, with help from Doyle.
"I honestly can't remember the last time we had
a student so intent on getting a graduate degree in
directing," Doyle said. "I wish we had more
students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in
acting and directing, but we have a small percentage.
We've had a good record of students getting into great
programs and getting large, full-paid scholarships the
past few years, but they have all been in acting. I
wanted Richie to have a capstone project that would
boost his chances when interviewing with the leading
theater schools he has applied to."
Doyle said he trusts Call's work and said he has the
skills to direct a show at the level of others in the
theatre department — mainstage or otherwise.
"I have been with him through the rehearsals, and
I don't question the decision to let him direct in the
least," Doyle said. "My role is to challenge him, ask
him why he might be choosing to do this or that, let
him run his thoughts and preparation past me. But he
ran the auditions and he runs the rehearsals. He's the
lead in the production meetings and he'll carry the
process all the way through. I haven't felt this strongly
about a student's potential in a long time, and I don't
know how long it may be before it happens again. Our
stages should be extensions of our classrooms, and this
is an opportunity that Richie deserves. His work and
efforts prove that."
Picasso at the Lapin Agile is the fourth
Utah State Theatre production of the 200506 season.
Information and general inquiries about the production
and Utah State Theatre are available by calling (435)
7971500. Tickets for the production are available by
calling (435) 7970305. Prices range from $6 to $9,
with group discounts available.
Picasso at the Lapin Agile is suited for
patrons ages 13 and above. Please, no children.
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