Remy Bumppo Theatre Company is pleased to announce the cast, creative and production teams for ‘ART,’ the final production in its 2024 - 2025 season, written by Yasmina Reza, directed by Artistic Director Marti Lyons and translated by Christopher Hampton, May 1 - June 1, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.
Previews are Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 4 at 2:30 p.m. with the press opening Monday, May 5 at 7 p.m. Regular performances are Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. with additional matinees Saturday, May 10 at 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 17 at 2:30 p.m.; Thursday, May 22 at 2:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 31 at 2:30p.m. Post-show discussions will be held after the Sunday, May 18 at 2:30 p.m. performance. The Open Caption performance is Saturday, May 17 at 2:30 p.m. and the Audio Description/Touch Tour performance is Thursday, May 22 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 - $55 and are on sale now at RemyBumppo.org. Groups of 10 or more may call the Theater Wit Box Office at 773.975.8150 to receive group discounts and make reservations.
'ART' examines the quirky dynamics of friendship and the enigmatic world of art through Yasmina Reza's sharp wit and clever dialogue. This hilarious and thought-provoking comedy navigates the fine line between laughter and introspection, exploring the true value of both art and friendship.
“‘ART’ holds humor and heart in equal measure. Through the dynamics of a long-time trio of friends, Reza explores pretense and passion in art and relationships,” said Artistic Director Marti Lyons. “I look forward to delving into ‘ART’ this spring with this wildly talented company of artists. The play will be a joy to stage and a joy to watch.”
The cast for ‘ART’ features, in alphabetical order, Justin Albinder* (Marc), Rammel Chan* (Serge) and Eduardo Xavier*+ (Yvan) with understudies Chad Bay (Serge U/S), Roberto Mantica (Yvan U/S) and Hudson Therriault (Marc U/S).
Top Row: (L to R) Playwright Yasmina Reza, Director Artistic Director Marti Lyons and Translator Christopher Hampton Second Row: (L to R) The cast of 'ART' - Justin Albinder ("Marc"), Rammel Chan (Serge) and Eduardo Xavier (Yvan.)
The creative and production team for ‘ART’ includes Marti Lyons (she/her, director); Terry Bell (he/him, assistant director); Jasmine B. Gunter (she/her, casting director); Katie Galetti (she/her, casting consultant); Jerry Galante (he/him, fight designer); Faith Hart (she/her, dramaturg), Lauren M. Nichols^ (she/her, scenic designer), Kristy Leigh Hall^ (she/her, costume designer), Liz Gomez^ (she/her, lighting designer), Matthew Chapman (he/him, sound designer), Amanda Herrmann^ (they/them, property designer), Nick Chamernik (he/him, lighting supervisor); Caitlyn Girten (scenic charge); Quinn Chisenhall (he/him, assistant light designer); Janelle Smith (they/she, assistant costume designer), Johnnie Schleyer (he/him, production manager), Cassidy Wray (she/her, stage manager); Sophie Goddard (they/them, stage manager); Emmanuel Jimenez (he/him, technical director), Caitlyn Girten (she/her, scenic charge); Nick Chamernik (he/him, lighting supervisor) and Christina Casano (she/her, creative producer).
+ denotes Core Ensemble Member
^ denotes Associate Artist
* denotes member of Actors Equity Association
ABOUT YASMINA REZA, playwright
Yasmina Reza (she/her) is a French playwright, actress, novelist and screenwriter best known for her plays ‘ART’ and God of Carnage. Many of her brief satiric plays have reflected on contemporary middle-class issues. The 2011 black comedy film “Carnage,” directed by Roman Polanski, was based on Reza’s Tony Award-winning 2006 play God of Carnage.
ABOUT MARTI LYONS, director
Marti Lyons (she/her/hers) most recently directed Love Song by John Kolvenbach and Galileo’s Daughter by Jessica Dickey at Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. Other selected credits include the world premiere of John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower at Studio Theatre in D.C.; Little Women adapted by Kate Hamill at Seattle Repertory Theatre and Milwaukee Repertory Theatre; Wife of a Salesman by Eleanor Burgess at Milwaukee Rep; Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberly at Northlight Theatre; The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess at Writers Theatre; Cymbeline and Sense and Sensibility at American Players Theatre; The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe and Kings by Sarah Burgess at Studio Theatre; the world premiere of How to Defend Yourself by liliana padilla, a Victory Gardens and Actors Theatre of Louisville co-production; Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee at Victory Gardens and City Theatre in Pittsburgh and Merrimack Repertory Theatre; Witch by Jen Silverman at Geffen Playhouse and Writers Theatre (LA Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Direction); Native Gardens by Karen Zacarías at Victory Gardens Theatre Company; Botticelli in the Fire by Jordan Tannahill at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company; I, Banquo, Short Shakes! Romeo and Juliet and Short Shakes! Macbeth at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Title and Deed by Will Eno at Lookingglass Theatre Company and Laura Marks’ Bethany and Mine at The Gift Theatre. Lyons is an ensemble member at The Gift Theatre and a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
ABOUT CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON, translator
Christopher Hampton’s (he/him/his) plays and musicals have so far garnered four Tony Awards, three Olivier Awards, four Evening Standard Awards and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award; prizes for his film and television work include an Oscar, two BAFTAs, a Writers’ Guild of America Award, the Prix Italia, a Special Jury Award at the Cannes Film Festival, Hollywood Screenwriter of the Year and The Collateral Award at the Venice Film Festival for Best Literary Adaptation. Original plays include Appomattox, The Talking Cure, White Chameleon, Tales From Hollywood, Treats, Savages, The Philanthropist, Total Eclipse and When Did You Last See My Mother? Adaptations from novels: Youth Without God (Horváth), Embers (Márai) and Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Laclos). Musicals: Stephen Ward, Dracula: The Musical and Sunset Boulevard. Libretti: “Appomattox,” “The Trial” and “Waiting for the Barbarians” (all for Philip Glass).
Translations include plays by Chekhov, Ibsen, Molière, Horváth, Yasmina Reza and Florian Zeller. His films include: “Ali and Nino,” “A Dangerous Method,” “Chéri,” “Atonement,” “The Quiet American,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” “The Good Father,” “The Honorary Consul,” “Total Eclipse,” “Mary Reilly,” “Tales From The Vienna Woods” and “A Doll’s House.” He wrote and directed “Imagining Argentina,” “The Secret Agent” and “Carrington.” His television credits include: “The Thirteenth Tale,” “The Ginger Tree,” “Hôtel Du Lac,” “The History Man” and “Able’s Will.
ABOUT REMY BUMPPO THEATRE COMPANY
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company expands and enriches their community’s view of the world, and their own, by producing both the great plays of the past and the important plays of today. As an ensemble-driven theater company, Remy Bumppo authors a more humane culture that listens to, and seeks to understand, the voices, the ideas and the stories of one another.
Since its inception in 1996, Remy Bumppo has produced a blend of modern classics and complex contemporary works, presented in an intimate setting with clarity, wit and passion. We invite audiences to engage directly with the art through conversation with the artists.
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company’s season sponsors are Brenda and James Grusecki, the Lynne and George Simon Donor Fund and Charlotte Toerber.
Additional support of the season is provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, the Shubert Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council.
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
‘ART’
Written by: Yasmina Reza (she/her/hers)
Directed by: Artistic Director Marti Lyons (she/her/hers)
Translated by: Christopher Hampton (he/him/his)
Website link: RemyBumppo.org
Location: Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60657
Previews: Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 4 at 2:30 p.m.
Press/Opening Performance: Monday, May 5 at 7 p.m.
Run Time: 90 minutes with no intermission
Regular Run; Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Matinee Performances (other than Sundays): Saturday, May 10 at 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 17 at 2:30 p.m.; Thursday, May 22 at 2:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 31 at 2:30 p.m.
Post-Show Discussions (immediately following the ‘ART’): Sunday, May 18 at 2:30 p.m.
Open Caption Performance: Saturday, May 17 at 2:30 p.m
Audio Description/Touch Tour Performance: Thursday, May 22 at 2:30 p.m.
Single Tickets now on sale:
Previews: $32.00 - $36.00
Regular Run: $36.00 - $55.00
Industry Tickets: $20.00, available for Thursday and Friday performances using code INDUSTRY
Student Tickets: $15.00, available for all performances
Group Discounts: For groups of 10 or more, call the Theater Wit Box Office at 773-975-8150.