Theatre Review for Picasso at the Lapin Agile

I attended the play, "Picasso at the Lapin Agile", written by comedian Steve Martin at 7:30p.m. on December 5, 2006 at the Barnett Theatre in Whitewater, Wis. This play was about three famous historians: Pablo Picasso, Albert Einstein, and Elvis Presley who would soon have an impact on the 20^th century, and met one night at the bar Lapin Agile in France. The bar was named from the painting of a rabbit escaping a frying pan, by the artist Andre Gill, and the name in English translates to swift rabbit. All three men became famous for challenging the way we view things. Picasso's cubism, Einstein's theories of four dimensions, and Presley's lyrics and dance moves, all inspired people to try things that had never been done, bringing about a new era of art, science, and music.

This play was done by the Whitewater Theatre Program featuring students like: Mike Bevis as Picasso, Matthew Lovison as Einstein, Nathaniel Negron as Elvis, and Brad Tremblay as Freddy the Bartender/owner of Lapin Agile. The play was directed by Jim Butchart, managed by Lyndee Hallahan, and costumes were designed by Denise P. Ehren. For only being a few college students, they put on quite a show. It was very entertaining, unique, and funny.

The setting was on October 8, 1904 at the Lapin Agile in Paris, France. The beginning of the program features a timeline mentioning the founding of the bar and the artist's painting creation, as well as facts about Picasso and Einstein from 1879-1999. The play gave comments on Picasso's Blue Period, as was mentioned in class, and the play showed how he switched from blue to rose. Einstein is quoted for teaching himself math, how he revolutionized quantum theory with his Special Theory of Relativity, when he won the Nobel Prize, and being named the Person of the Century in Time Magazine. They also touch base on Elvis' new sound for rock 'n roll.

I liked this play very much and would recommend it to many. I also learned a great deal about Steve Martin, including that he had a major in Philosophy just by looking at the program. The characters are fascinating, to imagine what the geniuses of the last century were like, and the humor keeps the good length of an hour and a half entertaining.