The Fayette Citizen-Weekend Page
Wednesday, October 13, 1999
Newnan Community Theater paints masterpiece with Picasso

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Weekend Editor

Newnan Community Theater launched its production of Steve Martin's “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” Friday.

The theater company is known for producing some of the more irreverent and less traditional plays, which “Picasso” most certainly is.

Set in Paris in 1904, the play deals with a fictional meeting between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein while they are in their early 20s. The young men discuss everything under the sun, including what they hope to contribute to the world and the world of art versus the world of science.

The play is directed by 17-year-old Mike Funt, a senior at Newnan High School. Along with choosing the cast, running the rehearsals and building the sets, Funt also did intense character development with his actors and sought the support of the play's author, comedian Steve Martin.

To help the actors understand the setting of the piece and the mindframe of the characters, Funt brought in three local teachers to give mini-lectures on a variety of pertinent topics. A science teacher discussed the contributions of Einstein, a french teacher discussed the French language and culture at the turn of the century, and an art teacher discussed Picasso and his influence on art.

Funt also invited Steve Martin to attend the production, and perhaps assist the fund-raising efforts for Newnan Community Theater as the troup prepares to enter its new building. Martin called and thanked Funt for the invitation. He sent Funt a letter of regret that he could not make the show, along with an autographed poster from the premiere production of the play in Los Angeles.

Funt's tireless efforts paid off. His production of “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” is a winner. The acting is excellent, the set design of a small bar in turn-of-the-century Paris is almost like a work of art from that period itself, but the biggest star of the play is the script by Martin. Wildly dancing between being thought-provoking and being outrageously silly and jubilant, “Picasso” races through 90 minutes, much like ideas race through Picasso's and Einstein's heads.

It seemed that every role could have been played by Steve Martin and that it was written that way. There is plenty to laugh out loud about and often it is what you find lurking through your head that is so funny.

The performances were on par with much of the theater you see in Atlanta. There is a great sense of professionalism and a wonderful identification of the actors with their characters.

The roles of Picasso and Einstein are handled exceptionally well by Jason Vaughn and Jeff Allen respectively. You also get the feeling that the cast members steeped themselves in enough Steve Martin to really appreciate the comedic timing necessary for a number of the lines.

The females were also excellent in their performances. Kelly Butler plays Suzanne with just the right mixture of Spanish spice to heat up her scenes, and Julie Price as Germaine shines. Her scene with Picasso toward the end truly shows her wide range, going from an enchanted woman to an empowered woman within seconds.

After the show, you will find yourself amazed that a high school senior directed the play so adeptly. Ninety minutes feels like 45, and you find yourself hoping for a few more minutes with the characters, or better yet, one more night at the Lapin Agile.

Mike Funt will definitely move forward from this production and that is a very promising and exciting premise, because even at 17, Funt knows how to deliver the magic as well as the entertainment.

Picasso at the Lapin Agile will be performed Oct. 8-22 at the Manget-Brannon Center for the Arts on First Avenue in Newnan. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students. For information, phone 770-251-4848.

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