Cranston, RI Artists Exchange Combines Art and Theatre for Lively "MUSEUM"

Any display open to the public draws its share of interesting and quirky characters, and the current production at the Artists Exchange is no exception. For "Museum", written by playwright Tina Howe, the entire first floor is set up as an open art gallery, awash in bright light, with nearly 40 cast members and just as many audience members strolling in and out of the "exhibit" just before the play begins. The audience area has been expanded so that as many as 45 people may sit and view the play at each performance.

Black Box Theatre Director Rich Morra and Visual Art Program Director Karen Bouchard collaborated to bring this new type of presentation - site specific (a device to bring the audience to exactly where the action is taking place) to the community and to the experience of the actors involved. Site-specific can be a risk, but this one pays off perfectly for Morra, Bouchard, and the rest of cast and crew involved, as well as the audience. One feels very caught up in the action and can enjoy each quirky, yet recognizable, character with a hardy laugh in an almost voyeuristic sense.

Perhaps you are familiar with the old story of the blind men and the elephant? Each man gave a completely different description because they were all feeling different parts of the elephant. The men declared it was alternately exactly like a rope (the tail), a large palm fan (an ear) and a strong pillar (a leg). Art is a bit like that. Each person who experiences it may have a different interpretation.

"Museum" explores that concept and more. Written in the 1970's, the themes are absolutely timeless and right smack up to date. Many of the patrons of this Museum are fearful that with all the cutbacks, some people will never be able to view the best of art and ancient artifacts. "They will be buried underground, hidden out of sight for their own protection" wails a pair of brightly dressed life-partners, referring to the recent reduction of security staff needed to protect them.

A very proper French couple dressed all in black - complete with a real french poodle in hand - discuss the art pieces in depth. They sound as if they know what they're talking about. Just as any NASA engineer does. But that doesn't mean you understand them. When the French couple gets to the third and final display of the exhibit, we clearly understand from their tone and gestures how horrified they are. They insist the Museum has hung corpses on a clothesline! After trying to one-up each other (in French) at how horrible the display is, they storm out, the little poodle trotting quickly right beside them.

Director Morra has seen to every detail and allows no lag or dull moment in this truly ensemble piece as his actors mix, mill about, and interact in a most naturally kooky way. Some patrons fawn in awe over the pieces, some laugh, some are more interested in themselves then the artwork, such as the two Barbaras who seemed joined at their stylish hips.

Three young friends arrive together but the exhibit strikes each quite differently. One of them, thinking the best things to see are out of the windows, is inspired to build his own museum built only of windows! And where they are no windows, there will be paintings of windows!

The hilarious parade of art students, tour groups, photographers, and crackpots alike continue to make their appearance and their views made clear. At one hectic moment, an over-zealous fan of one of the artists grabs a piece and holds it hostage over her head. As the crowd clamors for her to put it down safely, patron Bill Plaid yells my favorite line of the evening, "smash the ugly thing on the floor!" In his opinion, all artists are just plain crazy.

The art piece is saved and the weary guards put up with it all. The hardest part is getting the patrons not to touch the exhibits. Repeatedly the guard warns people not to touch. But for some reason, the most appealing item of all is the old-fashioned round-headed clothespins displayed in a basket as part of the "Clothesline" display.

A touching moment surprises us near the end of the play. The deaf-mute parents of one of the artists walk in silently to view their son's work. Although they only use sign language, their feelings are clear.

Don't miss the fun and all the other surprises that "Museum" has to offer. It runs March 25 through April 10, Friday and Saturday at 7pm, Sundays at 2pm at the Artists Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston, RI. Call ahead to reserve tickets at 401-490-9475. All tickets are $15.

The Artists Exchange is owned and operated by Gateways to Change, Inc. and serves a diverse community.

www.noogenesis.com/blindmen
www.doollee.com/playwrights