The Canvas of Friendship Comes Alive in Yesmina Reza's 'ART' at Centenary Stage Company

Yesmina Reza's 'Art' has been described as many things by many people. It works as a comedy, a drama, a critique of contemporary art, and an exploration of the meaning of friendship; all set off by one sophisticated elephant in the room, a white painting with white diagonal lines. This winter, you can hear the hilarious banter and experience friendship tested and rectified at the Sitnik Theatre, Centenary Stage Company's comfortable space in the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Directed with detail and wit by Anne Occhiogrosso and featuring a veteran cast in Randall Duk Kim, Kevin Carolan and Carl Wallnau, this is a high-caliber production Reza fans will appreciate and an excellent introduction to the French playwright for newbies.

Given the diverse critiques of 'Art' throughout the years, any new production is tasked with sifting through what to frame as the central theme of the story. Is this a tale about the worth of modern art or the depths of friendship? Occhiogrosso contends that it is both and coaxed out nuances from each argument in her direction. Thus, the production came to be a marriage of two ideas, exploring what human meaning is whether spread out on a canvas or charging the rhythms of a conversation. And the rhythms on display were refreshing, charting each rise and fall in the debate with care and precision. It was the moments in-between, those sacred silences and quirky undertones that add unique humanity to a character, that occasionally fell short. At times, especially early on as the conflict is just beginning, it seemed Occhiogrosso and the performers were itching to break the fourth wall beyond their scripted addresses to the audience. A knowing glance now and then could have added an extra layer of humor and depth, noting how we are all participants in this human comedy called life.

Yet, while there were missed opportunities, Duk Kim, Carolan, and Wallnau soared far more than they faltered. Their chemistry -- a key part of any piece exploring the realms of friendship -- sizzled with immediacy and fun, crafting tensions and releases you could feel. And the little choices, surely guided along by Occhiogrosso, were tantalizing. It was these details, stifled guffaws and piercing stares, that took Reza's sharp observations and transported them to new heights. Duk Kim especially never wasted an opportunity to infuse his Mark's words with the mixture of hurt and distaste that start the play's central conflict. There's no way you will not laugh with these idiosyncratic friends in their simple sitting room. The performers make sure of that.

No matter how it is described, Yesmina Reza's 'Art' is acute in its exploration of friendship and aesthetic sensibilities. Centenary Stage Company understands this and has conjured a worthy production with wit and heart at its center. Go laugh and come away filled. It would be silly to miss out.

Centenary Stage Company's production of 'Art' continues now through March 4 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Specific performance dates are Thursday, March 1 at 7:30pm; Friday, March 2 at 8pm; Saturday, March 3 at 8pm; and Sunday, March 4 at 2pm. For more information or to purchase tickets visit centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979 - 0900. The box office is located in the Lackland Performing Arts Center and is open Monday through Friday from 1 - 5pm and two hours prior to every performance.

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