‘Art!’ comes to GC&SU

Georgia College & State University’s Department of Music and Theatre is currently presenting the critically acclaimed production “Art!”

“Art!” was written by Yasmina Reza and premiered in Berlin in 1994. Since its debut, the production has received high awards in Paris, as well as both major playwright awards in London. The play ran in London for around six years. It was in production in New York in 1997 and 1998 and received a Tony Award.

Assistant Professor of Theatre Dr. Walter Bilderback is serving as the faculty advisor for the production. He said the play has shown a remarkable capacity for entertaining audiences, while dealing with heavy subject matters at the same time.

“‘Art!’ is one of the most successful and widely produced plays of the
last ten years internationally,” he said.

The plot of “Art!” centers around three friends who are entering middle age. One of the friends buys a white painting with white lines on it. Bilderback said the painting serves as a catalyst for the complete reevaluation of the characters’ friendship. The three characters have different reactions to the painting. Bilderback said their discussions “open up old wounds to an extent that it culminates in an act of violence.”

Bilderback credited GC&SU senior student and “Art!” director Bryant Jordan with the idea of having female actresses to serve as the main characters in the play that was originally written for male actors.

“It can make the audience see the climax of the production in a different way,” Bilderback said.

Freshman student Hayley Cress plays the role of Marsha in the production. She described her character as classical, well educated and controlling. Cress has also performed in “The Dining Room.” She is a Technical Theatre major.

Freshman Joshelin Kantor portrays Sarah in the production. She described Sarah as a more contemporary type of character. She said her character is angered that her friend Marsha has taken such offense to the painting. This is Kantor’s first performance. She is a Performance and French major.

Senior Jennifer Fallin portrays the role of Yvonne in the production. She described her character as sentimental, emotional, passive aggressive and non-confrontational. She said her character is the emotional reconciler between the other two friends and is also getting married to a very “hysterical” man. Fallin said there is something very unique about
“Art!”

“It is one of the only plays that dares to ask the question, ‘What is art?’” she said.

Bilderback called the play “very enjoyable and very engrossing.” He said it takes the kind of risks that student productions for young artists are supposed to be given in the course of determining their own aesthetic.

Jordan said he thinks the central plot focuses on friendship. The play is Jordan’s directorial debut and he said he hopes it conveys a message of “tolerance for each other and different forms of expression.”

The play began last night and will continue showing tonight as well as Saturday night at 8 p.m. in Russell Auditorium.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Jan 24 2003. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry