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Regional Reviews: Boston Art Also see Nancy's review of Red
More precisely, what does someone's taste in art say about their persona? Serge (Robert Walsh) is a novice art collector who pays 200,000 francs for the monochromatic work by Antrios and asks his two good friends, Marc (Robert Pemberton) and Yvan (Doug Lockwood), to view it and tell him their opinions. Therein lays the drama and the comedy of Art, winner of the 1998 Tony Award for Best Play, presented at the New Repertory Theatre at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown, under the direction of Antonio Ocampo-Guzman. Reza establishes conflict between the friends by assigning them divergent attitudes about the artistic and monetary value of the painting. Marc is incredulous that Serge would pay such an exorbitant sum for "this shit" and, in a display of narcissism, personalizes the action as hurtful to him because he loves Serge and wonders what this means for their friendship. When Marc explains his reaction to Yvan, in an attempt to enlist him as a confederate, Yvan can't quite see what all the fuss is about, as long as Serge is happy. Their responses reflect the categorical differences in their makeup; Marc has a strong, egotistical personality; and Yvan, lacking self-confidence, is a sensitive conciliator and would be the middle child if the three men were brothers. Although he understands that Marc is not a modern art connoisseur, Serge is taken aback by his friend's acerbic remarks and, in asides to the audience and conversations with Yvan, begins to connect the dots to past incidents, discerning a lost sense of humor and a pattern of negativity previously unseen. Even when Marc tries to restrain himself, there is an underlying air of resentment that he cannot mask. When Serge and Marc are not taking direct aim at each other, they put Yvan in the middle and bat him around like cats playing with a ball of yarn. Totally stressed by his impending marriage, poor Yvan is virtually defenseless against them and just about has a breakdown as he questions why they hang out together if they all hate each other. The joint talents of Walsh, Pemberton, and Lockwood successfully bring out the complexity of Reza's characters, showing their intelligence as well as their insecurities. They have excellent timing and share onstage chemistry that convinces us of the longevity of their friendship, even as they make us wonder what these guys ever had in common. It is easier for them to share strong emotions about the painting than about each other, but each man has at least one moment to tee off on one of the others. Walsh is devilish when Serge goads Marc by maligning his significant other, gleefully getting under his skin as payback for Marc's insults about the object of Serge's affection. Pemberton has many nasty and vicious outbursts, but is virtually bloodless when Marc turns on Yvan. Lockwood is utterly believable as the good-hearted, put upon guy who is in way over his head—in life, as well as in this trio. Ocampo-Guzman's seamless direction keeps the play moving briskly with effective blocking on Justin Townsend's open set. The action takes place in the living rooms of all three men, but it is all the same set. Townsend also designed the lighting, a key feature when it comes to discussing and displaying works of art. He isolates each of the actors in a spotlight when they deliver their individual monologues. Gail Astrid Buckley sticks closely to a monochromatic scheme for the mostly grey costumes, with only Marc sporting some color with a blue shirt. The play is underscored with modernistic piano music, with capable sound design by David Remedios. In interviews, the French native Reza indicates that she believes she's writing tragedies (she says the same about Art and the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Play God of Carnage) and thinks that American audiences laugh too much at the Christopher Hampton translations. Perhaps we have a darker sense of humor, and maybe there's a little schadenfreude as we watch a couple of dilettantes get their comeuppance. However, interspersed with considerable bursts of laughter, the New Rep audience on opening night was attuned to the tragic elements as well. How can a rectangle of white compare to the rich, varied hues of a 15-year friendship, let alone replace it? In the end, Serge, Marc and Yvan are still reflecting on that one. Art. Performances through February 5 at New Repertory Theatre, Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA; Box Office 617-923-8487 or www.newrep.org. Written by Yasmina Reza, Translated by Christopher Hampton, Directed by Antonio Ocampo-Guzman, Scenic and Lighting Design by Justin Townsend, Costume Design by Gail Astrid Buckley, Sound Design by David Remedios, Properties Design by James Wilkinson; Production Stage Manager, Jayscott Crossley Cast: Doug Lockwood (Yvan), Robert Pemberton (Marc), Robert Walsh (Serge)
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