Cast of "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" at T. Schreiber Studio, April 5

About the Play

A note from the director:

Picasso at the Lapin Agile is that rare play that takes on a multitude of weighty topics, yet handles them with intelligence and humor. The relevance of art, the creativity of science, the nature of genius and the idolatry of celebrity—Steve Martin wraps all of these subjects up tightly and holds them together with his own brand of wit: part “wild and crazy guy;” part Cyrano de Bergerac (Roxanne).

For a director and a cast, the challenge of a play like this is to keep pace with the comedy, but find moments to infuse the conversation with action and emotion. Fortunately for me, I am able to work with actors who have been well groomed for this process by the faculty of T. Schreiber Studio. A director could not wish for a better foundation to build upon, and an actor could not wish for a better training ground than TSS. Today, we lay our best efforts at your feet—I hope that you approve.

Peace,
Cat Parker

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Picasso at the Lapin Agile is a play written by Steve Martin in 1993. It features Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, who meet at a bar called the Lapin Agile (Nimble Rabbit) in Montmartre, Paris. It is set on October 8, 1904 and both men are on the verge of an amazing idea (Einstein will publish his special theory of relativity in 1905 and Picasso will paint Les Demoiselles d'Avignon in 1907) when they find themselves at the Lapin Agile, where they have a lengthy debate about the value of genius and talent while interacting with a host of other characters.

This was the first full-length play written by Steve Martin. The first reading of the play took place in Beverly Hills at Steve Martin's home with Tom Hanks reading the role of Pablo Picasso and Chris Sarandon reading the role of Albert Einstein. The play opened at the Steppenwolf Theatre Co. in Chicago, in 1993. The show then enjoyed a successful run at the Westwood Playhouse (now known as the Geffen Playhouse) in Los Angeles. Finally, the show made its way to New York City.

There were plans to create a film version of the play, but according to a posting called "Pertinent News" at Steve Martin's website, this will not go into production any time soon. ^[1]

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Each character in Lapin Agile performs a specific function. For example, Schmendimann, 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.

Picasso and Einstein eventually realize that their abilities are equally valuable. However, once they have their moment of insight, "The Visitor," an unidentified man from the future, crashes the party. The Visitor is not identified directly, although there is little question but that he is Elvis Presley, easily identified by his blue suede shoes, among other things. Elvis adds a third dimension to Picasso and Einstein's debate, representing the idea that genius is not always the product of academic or philosophical understanding, or as Gaston refers to it, "Brains."