Auburn students, faculty and community shared laughs at Auburn University Theatre Department’s recent production of Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.”
“Set in 1904 at the Paris bistro Lapin Agile (or nimble rabbit, in English), ‘Picasso’ depicts a fantasy meeting between two of the 20th century’s greatest minds — Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, a couple of poverty-stricken geniuses, laboring in obscurity, whose ideas and insights would eventually break the emerging century wide open,” according to AU Theater’s Web site.
In the play program, director Scott Phillips said Picasso was on the verge of painting “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” in 1907, one of the most influential works of art during the 20th century.
Similarly, Einstein was about to complete “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies,” a 1905 publication that overturned Newton’s theories regarding time and space.
“In the end, I turned away from stand-up with a tired swivel of my head and never looked back, until now,” Martin wrote in his 2007 book “Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life.”
“A few years ago, I began researching and recalling the details of this crucial part of my professional life — which inevitably touches upon my personal life — and was reminded why I did stand-up and why I walked away.”
Martin wrote “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” in 1993.
“This is not really the kind of play I expected from Steve Martin, but I loved it,” said Lydia Wood, a sophomore in art and a member of Friday night’s audience.
Cast member Sarah Barnes, a freshman in pre-pharmacy, said she thinks adults with a sense of humor will like the play.
“There are various moments throughout, and some are serious and meaningful, (while) some are hilarious and make no sense,” Barnes said.
Barnes said she thought Martin educated his audience, but kept it humorous at the same time.
Although the play just finished its run, the cast has been preparing for quite a while.
“We began rehearsing way back in August, right after fall semester started,” said Marcus Clement, a sophomore in theatre.
In his final performance at Auburn, Robert McLeroy, a senior in radio, television and film, took the role of Freddy.
“I have to work hard to be good at other (stuff), but acting is one thing I’m naturally good at, and I thoroughly enjoy it,” McLeroy said.
McLeroy said he decided to act because his friends said he could do it.
Sagot, Freddy’s art dealer, was played by Johnathan Smith.
Smith said he has appeared in various plays elsewhere, and his girlfriend convinced him to audition for this production.
“I just auditioned for fun and somehow got cast,” Smith said. “I don’t even go to college.”
Smith favors Barnes’ character, A Female Admirer, a young lady dressed in lavender and brimming with enthusiasm.
Barnes said she was thrilled to be appearing at her first show in Auburn.
“Acting allows you to be a million different people, and you are suddenly able to do the impossible,” Barnes said. “Plus, it’s so much fun.”
McLeroy said he particularly enjoyed the characters A Visitor, played by junior theatre major Payne Hopton-Jones, and Schmendiman, played by junior theatre major Jim Taylor.
Barnes said she also preferred Schmendiman, a vibrant inventor adorned in a bright pink blazer and matching vest.
“(A Visitor’s) character is especially appealing,” McLeroy said.
Clad in his signature black leather pants and blue suede shoes, A Visitor strutted into the scene through a cloud of smoke.
The appearance of A Visitor was an unexpected twist toward the conclusion of the play and seemed popular among audience members, as well.
“My favorite part was the introduction of (A Visitor) into the characters,” Wood said.
Wood first learned of the play during theatre class and has attended many AU Theatre productions in the past.
“However, I think (‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile’) is one of my favorites because I am an art major and have taken art histories one through three,” she said.
Laughter resonating from many in the audience reflected the play’s success.
“I would definitely recommend this play to friends,” Wood said. “Because the acting was amazing, and the production as a whole was quite funny.”
