Let your worries blow away in the wind while you cozy up in your favorite lounging position with a beverage of choice to view the latest Adams State University Theatre production, “Picasso at The Lapin Agile,” written by Steve Martin and directed by George McConnell, Ph.D., assistant professor of theatre. The performances will begin at 7:30 Thursday, April 22, through Saturday, April 24, via a live stream service.
McConnell connected with the comedy when he first saw an off-Broadway production in New York City in the late 1990s. “This is Steve Martin’s first play. His philosophical questioning of the world has really fun, big ideas treated comically. It makes you think, but in a fun way.”
The play is set in 1904 at the Paris Lapin Agile bar and features a chance meeting between a young Pablo Picasso and a young Albert Einstein. “The fictional encounter is before either of these major historical figures have gained notoriety for their work,” McConnell says.
Picasso and Einstein begin talking and the play unfolds a perspective that ideas don’t exist in a vacuum and the possibility that art and science can impact each other.
As their conversation continues, they begin to shift their perceptions and ideas. The supporting cast includes a barkeeper, barfly, barmaid, and Parisians dropping in for refreshment. “They are all very funny and the comedy is breezy and light but with complex ideas,” McConnell added.
There is a surprise and easily recognizable time-traveling guest who adds to the amusement of the story. It is a fun, what-if, plot that moves along at a quick tempo. Although there is no inappropriate content, McConnell recommends the play for pre-teen and older audiences.
Over the course of the 2020/2021 academic year, the Theatre Department has managed to bring a variety of plays to the public in safe formats which also enriched the students experience with production of live theatre. “Picasso at The Lapin Agile” will be filmed live using two cameras following a similar format as traditional television sitcoms and McConnell will live direct each performance.
“Picasso at the Lapin Agile” will live stream at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22 through Saturday, April 24, 2021. The production will also be available on demand on April 30 and May 1, 2021.
Visit Adams State Theatre Production Picasso at the Lapin Agile for tickets and access. The cost is $12.50 to live stream per device. There is no cost for current AS&F members: select the $0 donation option, fill out the required email and guest information, on final screen enter your AS&F 900# for free access.
