Photo Flash: Steve Martin's PICASSO

The wit and creativity of Steve Martin debuts on the Saint Sebastian Players' (SSP) stage when the company performs his play Picasso at the Lapin Agile. The production runs February 13-March 8, 2009 at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey Pkwy. in Chicago.

In Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso meet at a bar in Montmartre, Paris on October 8, 1904. Both men are on the verge of an amazing idea-Einstein will publish his special theory of relativity in 1905, and Picasso will paint Les Demoiselles d'Avignon in 1907-when they find themselves at the Lapin Agile (Nimble Rabbit), where they have a lengthy debate about the value of genius and talent while interacting with a host of other characters.

Directing SSP's production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile is Steven Walanka, who has directed SSP productions of Tribute, The Lion in Winter, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Days of Wine and Roses and The Caine Mutiny Court Martial. The cast features Luke Daigle as Picasso, Doug Werder as Einstein, SSP member Renae Stone, as well as Lauren Goode, Rob Grabowski, Jaclyn Jensen, Chris Kordys, Steve Malone, Nate Negron and Jeff Taylor. In addition, in an effort to attract new and larger audiences, SSP has cast the role of the "female admirer" with a different actress at each of the 12 performances. Mike Patrick is set designer, Rachel Lambert is costume designer, Stacy Raker is assistant director, SSP member Kelly Rhyne is stage manager and SSP member Jim Masini is producer.

SSP's 2008-09 season concludes with Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing, directed by SSP member John Oster, April 24-May 17, 2009.

Picasso at the Lapin Agile runs February 13-March 8, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey Pkwy., at Marshfield just west of Ashland, in Chicago. Free parking is available in two lots. Full-priced single tickets are $15, $10 for students with valid IDs and $7 for seniors and children younger than 12. Group rates also are available. All programming is subject to change. For information, call 773-404-7922 or visit saintsebastianplayers.org. Tickets are also on sale at ticketweb.com.

Photos by John Oster

Doug Werder, Renae Stone, and Luke Daigle

Doug Werder, Jaclyn Jensen, and Luke Daigle

Doug Werder and Luke Daigle