Muhlenberg Theatre Assocation Presents Steve Martin Play "Picasso At The Lapin Agile"
The Muhlenberg College Department of Theatre and Dance will present "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" in the Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion, October 4-5 at 8 p.m., October 6 at 2 p.m., October 8-10 and 17-18 at 8 p.m., and October 19 at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $14, available at the Box Office, 484-664-3333.Thursday, September 19, 2002 01:08 PM
The Muhlenberg College Department of Theatre and Dance will present "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" in the Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion, October 4-5 at 8 p.m., October 6 at 2 p.m., October 8-10 and 17-18 at 8 p.m., and October 19 at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $14, available at the Box Office, 484-664-3333.
"Picasso at the Lapin Agile" is written by well-known comedic actor and writer Steve Martin, who is admired by many for his exceptional 40-some screenplays including "The Jerk," "Three Amigos," and "Roxanne." The play stages a meeting between creative geniuses Picasso and Einstein at the Lapin Agile, set in 1904. Picasso, who frequents this cabaret in Paris, encounters Einstein, who is drawn to this same venue in pursuit of a Countess. The two meet and engage in a "duel of words and ideas that is witty and brilliant" as they debate genius, beauty, absolute truth, and desire on the edge of the 20th century. Dennis Cunningham of WCBS New York calls the play "an invigorating vaudeville for the mind. Full of laughs and intriguing ideas about art and science and celebrity and creativity."
Directing the play is Muhlenberg College senior Abby Mahone. A theatre major with a concentration in directing, Mahone was assistant director to Dr. James Peck for the MTA Spring 2002 production of "Pentecost," assistant director for the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre production of "The Last Night of Ballyhoo" in 2001, and has directed campus studio productions of "Beyond Our Control," "Elegy for a Lady," and "Here Comes Bride." Her direction of "Here Comes Bride" led to its selection for performance at the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. Mahone also received the "Best Student Director" award at the Regional Festival and attended the National KCACTF festival in Washington D.C. in April 2002 and worked with NYC director Maggie Lally.
Featured Muhlenberg Theatre Association actors include Nicholas Thompson-Miller '04, as Picasso, and Jedediah Baker '03, as Einstein. Thompson-Miller has performed in "Juliet and her Romeo," "The Crucible," and "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." He received an Irene Ryan Acting nomination from the American College Theatre Festival.
Baker has been on stage in MTA production's "The Crucible," "Mother Hicks," "West Side Story" and "Our Town." Nelson Ruger also joins the production as a guest artist, designing sets and lights. Ruger, an alumnus of Muhlenberg College, has designed lighting and scenery for many prominent performing arts companies including the Syracuse Stage, Pipedreams Studio, and Philadelphia Theatre Company. He received the Herald Award for Best Lighting of the Year twice for his work in "City of Angels" and "Pippen."
