“Art,” at Signature Theater, is a witty, incisive and thoughtful analysis of friendship. Written by French playwright Yasmina Reza, “Art” begins with a simple act, the purchase of a work of modern art by a middle-aged dermatologist named Serge (John Lescault). That act turns it into a tsunami of emotional reactions that threaten to wipe out the 15-year-long friendship between Serge and his friends Marc and Yvan.
When Marc (Mitchell Hebert), an aeronautical engineer, sees the painting, his reaction is clear. To him it is boring: about 5 feet by 4 feet, unframed, white on white. It also cost $40,000, outrageously expensive to Marc. Serge on the other hand can see various colors in the painting: gray, yellow, even red. To him it is an investment. The second friend to see the painting is Yvan (Michael Russotto), who tries to keep the peace between Serge and Marc.
| Onstage |
| ‘Art’ |
| » Where: Signature Theater, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington |
| » When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 7 p.m. Sundays through May 22 |
| » Info: $50 to $76; 703-573-7328; signature-theatre.org |
But the disagreements between the men exceed their particular stances on aesthetics and artistic value. The longer the men discuss the painting, the more the very foundation of what had seemed to be a solid three-way relationship is shaken. They gather one night to go out to a movie and dinner and their pent-up feelings about the artwork and each other spill out.
After an extended, hysterical monologue by Yvan, regarding his upcoming wedding and the problems he is having with his relatives, the talk shifts to a scathing analysis of how the men relate to one another, the roles they feel they play in one another’s lives, even how the woman in Marc’s life negatively affects Serge. It is the kind of emotional battle scene that wounds deeply, suggesting that nothing will ever be the same again.
Yet despite its at times caustic satire, “Art” is an extremely funny play, with each one of the roles calling for superior comedic acting. Directed by Matthew Gardiner, Hebert, Lescault and Russotto work as a beautifully choreographed, impeccably timed ensemble, making the past friendship of the three men credible. That credibility is essential to the success of “Art.”
James Kronzer’s set is an apartment with panels that slide out to represent the homes of each of the three men. Marc’s apartment has a Flemish landscape; Yvan’s has a colorful modern canvas. The basic set consists of brown walls and modern charcoal-colored sofa and chair. The central back wall is flanked by bookcases filled with lavender vases of every shape and size.
At the end of “Art,” Reza gives her minimalist, articulate play a slightly different dimension. But it never gets heavy. Even in its most serious verbal battles, this “Art” is a canny, vigorous parody of modern manners.
