Theater reviewer Mike Logothetis grew up in North Wilmington, performing in school and local theater productions. He lives in Newark, but you can find him wherever the arts are good.
The University of Delaware Resident Ensemble Players (REP) proudly presents the Tony- and Molière-winning dark comedy ART at the Roselle Center for the Arts in Newark. The 1994 play was written by Yasmina Reza and translated from the original French by Christopher Hampton. ART offers a witty and incisive look at friendship, honesty, significance, and the surprising power of a single piece of art.
Though it makes several appearances during the play, the white painting is, in effect, a MacGuffin — i.e. a catalyst for the action. “The Antrios,” as it is often called, amplifies hidden tensions within this longstanding three-way friendship.
But the audience’s first impression is the commanding set by Christopher and Justin Swader. The unadorned walls (and our view of them) are angular and imposing…almost monolithic. The industrial lighting by Dawn Chiang adds to the feeling that these men are small in comparison to the disarray they’ve conjured between themselves.
These are not obscure personas, but fairly regular folks trying to make heads or tails of the everchanging world. Serge is an aesthete whose life has been mostly comfortable. Marc is a realist with a stern outer layer he uses for protection. Yvan is an easy-going person on the outside with insecurities swirling below the surface.
The “deconstruction” of the central piece of artwork devolves to comic effect as the trio grapples with the larger question of how to maintain personal relationships through a prolonged three-pronged argument. When Yvan tries to play peacemaker, he is derided by the others as a “coward” and an “amoeba,” and even suffers a minor injury when he tries to defuse a brief scuffle.
ART stars REP stalwarts Hassan El-Amin as Marc, Lee E. Ernst as Yvan, and Stephen Pelinski as Serge. All three actors imbue their characters with staunch individuality and some compassion. They are a talented trio whose banter is natural and pointed, helping the audience believe their characters are really friends – but also scathing critics.
The intertwining theme of value versus values runs deep because true friendship is not superficial. These characters care about each other, but life has intervened, which often makes the simple more complex. Director Michael Gotch allows his actors to interact and soliloquize (under spotlight) easily and comfortably. Gotch’s pacing keeps us fixated by the changes these friends are going through. There was excellent switching between edgy discourses, comic dialog, and character asides.
“This is a masterpiece of a play, really — one of those rare ones where everything the author’s given you works,” says Gotch. “It’s in some ways a perfect play: it’s funny, it’s insightful and it manages to entertain on so many levels. In a world where it seems everything around us is a Rorschach test and wildly different opinions clash on social media 24/7, this play isn’t just entertaining, it’s also timely. But mostly it’s an incredibly fun, perfectly compact, and surprisingly sharp ride to enjoy.”
The funniest scene is when Yvan delivers his pre-wedding monologue, listing all that is going wrong regarding printed invitations and family dynamics. Ernst drew us into his character’s angst while humoring us with mundane decisions which are slowing driving Yvan mad.
Another funny micro-scene was an unspoken one where the three protagonists munch on olives after arguing well past the dinner hour. The pinging of the pits into a metal bowl was effectively comical, realistic, and surreal.
After the show, it is inevitable to ponder status and potential changes within one’s own friendship groups. A significant question being: Are interpersonal conflicts organic or are they initiated?
This production of ART runs now through March 1. Tickets range from $20-39 (+fees) with discounts available for students, seniors, plus University of Delaware faculty and staff.
ART stars REP stalwarts Hassan El-Amin as Marc, Lee E. Ernst as Yvan, and Stephen Pelinski as Serge. All three actors imbue their characters with staunch individuality and some compassion. They are a talented trio whose banter is natural and pointed, helping the audience believe their characters are really friends – but also scathing critics.
The intertwining theme of value versus values runs deep because true friendship is not superficial. These characters care about each other, but life has intervened, which often makes the simple more complex. Director Michael Gotch allows his actors to interact and soliloquize (under spotlight) easily and comfortably. Gotch’s pacing keeps us fixated by the changes these friends are going through. There was excellent switching between edgy discourses, comic dialog, and character asides.
“This is a masterpiece of a play, really — one of those rare ones where everything the author’s given you works,” says Gotch. “It’s in some ways a perfect play: it’s funny, it’s insightful and it manages to entertain on so many levels. In a world where it seems everything around us is a Rorschach test and wildly different opinions clash on social media 24/7, this play isn’t just entertaining, it’s also timely. But mostly it’s an incredibly fun, perfectly compact, and surprisingly sharp ride to enjoy.”
The funniest scene is when Yvan delivers his pre-wedding monologue, listing all that is going wrong regarding printed invitations and family dynamics. Ernst drew us into his character’s angst while humoring us with mundane decisions which are slowing driving Yvan mad.
Another funny micro-scene was an unspoken one where the three protagonists munch on olives after arguing well past the dinner hour. The pinging of the pits into a metal bowl was effectively comical, realistic, and surreal.
After the show, it is inevitable to ponder status and potential changes within one’s own friendship groups. A significant question being: Are interpersonal conflicts organic or are they initiated?
This production of ART runs now through March 1. Tickets range from $20-39 (+fees) with discounts available for students, seniors, plus University of Delaware faculty and staff.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.rep.udel.edu; by contacting the REP box office at 302.831.2204; or visiting in person at 110 Orchard Road Tuesdays through Fridays from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. The one act show runs approximately 90 minutes.
The Thompson Theatre at the Roselle Center for the Arts is located on the University of Delaware’s Newark campus and is ADA-compliant. It is equipped with a hearing loop system, which works with hearing aid t-coils, cochlear implants, and in-house hearing devices. Wheelchair and other seating requests can be made prior to the performance by calling (302)831-2204 or emailing cfa-boxoffice@udel.edu.
The Thompson Theatre at the Roselle Center for the Arts is located on the University of Delaware’s Newark campus and is ADA-compliant. It is equipped with a hearing loop system, which works with hearing aid t-coils, cochlear implants, and in-house hearing devices. Wheelchair and other seating requests can be made prior to the performance by calling (302)831-2204 or emailing cfa-boxoffice@udel.edu.
“You should never leave your friends unchaperoned.” – Marc
