Livingston’s Blue Slipper Theatre continues its exciting 2019 season with Art, a play by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton. Presented by Kirk Michels Architects, the local production opens June 21st and runs through July 7th. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8pm, followed by Sunday matinees at 3pm. Tickets are $16 for adults, $13 for students and seniors (60+), and $10 for youth under 18.
Art follows three friends after modernism enthusiast Serge has bought a painting. Large, arguably white, and expensive, this painting is the catalyst that triggers Marc to wonder if his friendship with Serge is imploding. With the course of his own life in overhaul, Yvan tries desperately to keep his friends from destroying the only constant he feels he has left.
Art has been popular with audiences the world over following its award-winning debut in France in 1994. While asking themselves and each other whether white stripes on a white canvas is meaningful, whether their opinion is meaningful, whether they can even understand one another anymore, one thing becomes clear: win, lose, or draw – it’s all riding on a few thin, white lines.
Tom Baskett, John Henry Haseltine, and Dale Ruhd will be taking on the roles of Serge, Marc, and Yvan; each actor in a different role every weekend! Director Rebecca Ruhd invited the actors to take on the extra challenge, in part, to flesh out to what degree each character is defined by his friends or by himself.
“The actors each bring their own sensibility, prejudice, and style to each of the characters,” she says. “We get to view these characters through a different set of eyes every week, and understand how Marc, Serge and Yvan have unique perceptions of each other.” In every long relationship, change is unavoidable. Art bring us to the tipping point of a perspective shift for three friends.
Having won three awards for Best Comedy, Art ponders heavy topics like sense of purpose, tolerance, honesty, deceit, and the rules of friendship with wit and humor. The show contains strong language which may not be suitable for children.
Located at 113 E Callender, the Blue Slipper Theatre has been entertaining, educating, and enriching Livingston through the performing arts since 1964. For tickets or more information, call (406) 222-7720 or visit www.blueslipper.org. •
