For An Entertaining Night Of Eccentric Nonsense And Philosophic Conversation, "Picasso At The Lapin Agile" Is A Must See

Put on your thinking caps and bring along your funny bone and head to the James F. Dean Theatre for some passionate humor with Steve Martin. Not Steve Martin the actor and comedian, but Steve Martin the writer. Picasso at the Lapin Agile, pronounced with a French flare, just opened Friday night and will be running the next two weeks.

With a sparkle of eccentric nonsense and philosophic conversation, the play explores the idea of what might have happened if two historical figures in their early twenties and on the verge of achieving greatness, such as Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, were to have bumped into each other.

The play takes place at a trendy bar in Montmartre, France called the Lapin Agile, which literally means "Nimble Rabbit." It became known by that name when artist Andre Gill in 1875 painted the bar's sign depicting a rabbit jumping out of a saucepan. By 1904, the year the proposed meeting takes place, the bar was a favorite spot for struggling artists and writers, thus the reason for all the pictures hanging on the wall of this one scene play.

The play begins with the bartender, Freddy(Geoff Jordan), preparing for its open. The first person to arrive at the Lapin Agile was an older gentleman(Larry Wineland) followed shortly thereafter by waitress Germaine(Blair Cadden) and then Albert Einstein (David Barr), who proceeds to state his reason for being there - an expectation of meeting up with a red-headed woman(Victoria Hartshorn) he had just met.

Although the prearranged rendezvous was supposed to take place at another establishment, Einstein reasoned he would likely meet her at the Lapin Agile despite the agreed upon location. "We have similar minds," Einstein confidently stated with scientific certainty. "I am here, so she will come here." Conversations between the characters ensue with Einstein weighing in occasionally with his perspective. Einstein identifies himself and Freddy expresses doubt over his claim until Einstein proceeds to mess his hair up, and from that singular moment the laughs begin.

Freddy tells a supposedly funny story of a man wanting a baker to make him a cake in the shape of an "e" that nobody gets and Einstein proceeds to demonstrate why out of the alphabet the choice of "e" made more sense. The older gentleman tells a sad story about a woman he made love with and makes constant trips to the bathroom because he has a problem common to men his age. The very same bathroom from which an unnamed man(Alan Garner) with long sideburns and blue shoes emerges in a puff of smoke from the future. Germaine conceals a dirty little secret and Pablo Picasso played by Peter Ferneding gets to kiss all the pretty girls because Pablo loves woman about as much as he loves his art, but is notorious for using them. There was also a ponderous amount of discussion aimed at a painting of sheep.

The play contains a diverse assortment of characters fitly compiled by director JC Conway and assistant Jean Gatson. The wildly dressed oddball by the name of Charles Dabernow Schmendiman, a character who claimed to be as great as Einstein and Picasso, was amusingly portrayed by Robert Frank. Watching him perform reminded me of Harold Hill from "The Music Man" only hopped-up on red bull, and I mean that in a good way. His comical enthusiasm lit up the set. What would a play about Picasso be without a testy art dealer named Sagot(Chad Estel) and a beautiful blonde for a pleasant distraction by the name of Suzanne(Lizzie Mears).

A few enjoyable highlights were David Barr's engaging rendition of Einstein explaining the logic of the pie made in the shape of an "e" and Blair Cadden's depiction of Germaine's sagacious chastisement of Picasso for his love'em and leave'em ways. And then, there was the "dueling of the pencils."

There are moments that will leave you thinking, "Wow, I didn't know that," long after the play ends. If you pay close attention, you will be able to catch the subtle, historical tidbits intertwined with the punch lines.

For a delightful evening of comedy Steve Martin style, pick a date and come on over to the home of the Flowertown Players, the James F. Dean Theatre in Summerville. For show times and to purchase tickets, click on this link- Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

The Flowertown Players Salute A Cultural Icon Of Mystery Thrillers With Their Production of "The 39 Steps"

It was Colonel Mustard, with the candlestick, in the billiard room. I spent many hours during my youth solving by deduction the mystery of which three cards containing the name, the weapon, and the room were slid into the secret envelope. The game was Clue, originally published by a game company called Parker Brothers. Among family members and friends I had become somewhat of a sleuth, in the likeness of Sherlock Holmes. An important key to success was to pay close attention to what your opponents were doing to assist you in your room to room search. Often, what solutions they posed was a bonus clue for you. Misdirection was always a strategic ploy. The one factor you had least control of was the roll of the dice. The higher the roll, the quicker you moved around the board. The quicker you moved from room to room, the more clues you acquired.

When I wasn't playing Clue, I was watching a show that featured dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Time magazine named this show one of "The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME". The originator of this television series also produced some of my favorite movies such as the The Rear Window, The Birds, and a delightfully amusing dark comedy The Trouble With Harry. Harry just didn't want to go away, even after he was found dead by a little boy played by Jerry Mathers. The mystery was to solve the perplexing question of "Who did it." There were three possible suspects who incriminated themselves. The three banded together along with a local artist to conceal Harry's body from the authorities while they tried to figure out who really did it, or maybe they all had a hand in his demise.
    
This film director and producer became a cultural icon and his silhouette was easily recognizable as a trademark. The caricature drawing, composed of just nine strokes, was his own creation. He made brief cameo appearances in his movies designed to engage you with the challenge of spotting him. Many of his movies employed the plot device known as a "MacGuffin". He did more than any director to shape modern cinema. He is described as the most influential filmmaker of all time and widely regarded as one of cinema's most significant artists. All this information should have easily clued you the person is Alfred Hitchcock and the show-Alfred Hitchcock Presents. This September 20th his genius is coming to Summerville in the form of a stage performance called The 39 Steps adapted from the movie of the same name.

The original movie, filmed in 1935, was a British thriller rife with murder and mystery. The film opens at a London theater where "Mr Memory" is performing. Shots are fired. There is panic in the theater. Richard Hannay, attending the show, finds himself unexpectedly confronted by a frightened Annabella Smith. Annabella convinces Richard to take her to his home. She tells him she is a spy in danger from assassins and mentions the "39 steps". Later, Annabella bursts into Richard's bedroom fatally stabbed in the back. Richard flees on the advice of Annabella with a map she was holding and soon finds out he is accused of her murder. The chase begins and the plot thickens.

The stage is being set for "The 39 Steps"

The Flowertown Players at the James F. Dean Theatre have incorporated another component to The 39 Steps. Their presentation will add the element of comedy in the form of a parady. Exactly how they pull that off, you will have to buy a ticket to find out. One thing is for sure, it will be entertaining. The four main actors will be playing many different characters. Like the silent movies of a bygone era, piano music will accompany the action as it unfolds on stage. It contains complicated plot lines, so complete attention is a necessity.

Come and see what all the hats are about

Show times for The 39 Steps will be September 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 at 8:00 pm and September 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 2:00 pm. Ticket prices are $25. The cast consists of Richard: Patrick Hawkins, Annabelle/Pamela: Joanna Cresella, Margaret: Darcy Herlihy, Clown: Chad Estel, Clown: Deacan Gerard. Stage Hands: Keely Eastwood, Olivia Bolt, Jackie Gonda, Heather Pallay. Get your tickets before they mysteriously disappear.

"Charley's Aunt" Now Showing-Laugh Your P-Aunts Off At The James F. Dean Theatre In Summerville

It was to be the night of the "supermoon". It is a celestial event called a perigee in astronomical terms. It was extensively publicized on the internet at the start of the day and highly anticipated by many. It happens once a year and occurs when the moon is at its closest point to our celestial home during its yearly orbital trek through space. If you are a Facebook follower, and who isn't these days, you would have seen a multitude of posts throughout the day making reference to its coming. Plans were made to take advantage of the best vantage points for observation and cameras were readied.

As the "supermoon" moved through the skies above us, another highly publicized and anticipated event was unfolding in Summerville. The overhead lights in the James F. Dean Theatre were dimmed and the Flowertown Player's stars of "Charley's Aunt" stepped out of the darkness unto the stage. The resolve of their hard work and sacrifice would now be put to the test. "Charley's Aunt" was billed as a comedy of the classic type.

Matthias Burrell

Classic by definition means top quality with lasting value, timeless, ageless. "Charley's Aunt", released in 1892, was a highly successful play in its debut and set the standard for its genre, comedy. The storyline is timeless and ageless in that what was found to be humorous in its early days is still found to be humorous today. It set records for longevity and was a Broadway success in 1893. A classic, it is without a doubt. To live up to the billing as a comedy, laughter would have to be heard in the theater.

When the stage lights came on, Jack Chesney (John Black) was sitting at a desk agonizing over the proper words he should use in preparation of writing a letter to his sweetheart. Moments later, Charles Wykeham (David Whittington) entered on the scene plagued with the same indisposition. From those initial moments you could tell the two actors had the right chemistry for a successful pairing as friends with a common objective, winning the hand of their sweethearts. How they would achieve that objective is where the story begins and Charley's Aunt was a pivotal piece in the ultimate success of their scheme. John Black and David Whittington kind of reminded me of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, a one time successful comedic pairing, or more recently Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn of "Wedding Crashers" fame.

The butler, Brassett (Jerry Squires) was summoned to deliver the letter. (If you are ever in need of a butler, Jerry would be a good choice. His butler-like mannerisms and inflection were "spot on.") With the letter sent, it looks as though the plan was proceeding smoothly. Jack and Charley leave the scene, at which time Lord Fancourt Babberley (Matthias Burrell), affectionately known as Babbs, enters looking for some champagne to borrow and then attempts to sneak off with it. He is intercepted by Jack and Charley. In the course of their interaction Babbs informs them he will be in a play where he dresses as a woman. He wants to try the dress on and get their opinion on how it looks.

John Black, Matthias Burrell, and David Whittington

While Babbs is getting ready, Jack and Charley find out Charley's aunt would not be arriving as scheduled, which throws them into a tizzy because she was to be their chaperon. Kitty Verdun (Alexa-Marie Acuna) and Amy Spettigue (Lindsey Murray) arrive and find out Charley's aunt is not there yet and tell the boys they will leave to go shopping and come back later. Meanwhile Babbs, in the other room, had put on his wardrobe and summoned Jack to take a look. When Jack saw Babbs the scheme took a new, diabolical course. Babbs stepped out in a black dress and blonde wig. He is coerced into substituting for Charley's aunt.

From that moment on the laughs began. Things got even more complicated when Jack's father, Colonel Sir Francis Chesney (Barry Gordon), visits him unexpectedly with disturbing news and then later, Amy's uncle, Stephen Spettigue (Ken Malcom), appears on the scene. To make matters even worse, the real Charley's aunt (Stephanie Crowley) shows up accompanied by Ela Delahay (Erin Gentry), an orphaned young girl. The aunt's name was Donna Lucia d'Alvadorez. Now, that is a mouthful. Try saying it five times fast without messing it up.

Ken Malcom, Jerry Squires, Stephanie Crowley
Alexa-Marie Acuna, John Black, Matthias Burrell
 David Whittington, Barry Gordon, Lindsay Murray
Erin Gentry

Matthias Burrell brought the laughs with his characterization of a man wearing a sloppy blonde wig, dressed as a woman from Brazil, where the nuts come from. The scary part, he looked alot like the bratty girl from "Little House on the Prairie", only older. I have to say, at times the very shrilly voice grated on your nerves, but it no doubt was all part of the act.

The director, Jamie Gresens, did a good job bringing it all together. The timing and flow of the character's movements on stage were coordinated well. The lines were delivered near flawlessly by the actors. Sean Lakey, set designer, did an excellent job with the visual aspects pertaining to backdrops and props. You will have to follow this one closely to keep up with all the twists and pay attention to the punch lines. If you do that, you will find "Charley's Aunt" very entertaining and worth a night out at the James F. Dean Theatre for laughs. Buy tickets.