Steve Martin’s creation pits a 23-year-old Picasso against a 25-year-old Einstein. Each Is on the threshold of fame and both have enormous egos. The banter between them and the Lapin Agile “bar people” makes for fun and friction. It was sort of like “The Million Dollar Quartet” meets “Cheers”, and that’s not bad!
Martin has some funny lines and some almost funny lines. Even Elvis time Travels into the Lapin Agile. It was a great touch to have Picasso and Einstein finally come to respect each other’s accomplishments, and with a big hug, bring some closure to the chance meeting. Scott Phelps, in a small middle school neighborhood theater, pulled this all together, beautifully.
CAST: Mark Yacullo as Einstein and Travis Ascione as Picasso. Also Philip C. Matthews (Bartender), Amy Stricker (Germaine), Dan Deuel (Gaston), Juliana Liscio (Suzanne}, Jake Busse (Schmendimen), Tim Walsh (Sagot) and Ian Cummisford (A Visitor).
If you want to have some light fun and an evening out, we recommend you go to the Montmartre District in Paris in 1904, reached only through The Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest.
Masks must be worn regardless of vaccine status in the theatre lobby and restrooms, and in the theatre throughout the performance.
Picasso at the Lapin Agile runs through May 22nd at Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest. Running time is 90 minutes. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 3 pm and Wednesday, May 4 at 1 pm. Tickets range from $40-$45. FYI (847) 735-8554, ext. 1 or www.citadeltheatre.org .