Friendship is a funny thing because we don’t always know why we have built relationships with people who have quirks, interests or personalities that may blend or clash with our own.
From left, Larry Alexander, Don Walker and Gary Marachek play three friends forced to reconsider their relationships in Yasmina Reza's "ART" at the Banyan Theater Company. GARY SWEETMAN PHOTO/BANYAN THEATER
What happens when something forces you to consider those reasons is the comical force behind Yasmina Reza’s often exhilarating and funny play “ART,” which returns in a lively new production to open Banyan Theater Company’s 14th season.
Three friendships are put to the test, all because of an expensive, almost all-white canvas by an apparently trendy French artist.
It was purchased by Serge, a successful dermatologist who may now fancy himself an art collector. His strongly opinionated friend Marc thinks it’s an expensive piece of garbage (he uses much stronger language) and their mutual friend, Yvan, who usually goes along to get along, naturally supports both views.
The opening scenes in Julian Olf’s production are a little slow, but he allows his actors to build the tension and the twists and turns of Reza’s story begin to unwind.
Gary Marachek, right, studies a nearly all-white painting that makes him rethink his friendship with its new owner, played by Don Walker, in "ART" at the Banyan Theater Company. GARY SWEETMAN PHOTO/BANYAN THEATER
In the translation by Christopher Hampton, Reza says a lot in less than 90 minutes. The painting is just a catalyst for each man to reconsider why they are friends, as feelings long held in start to emerge. For once they’re really talking and listening to each other and coming to new conclusions.
Marc is concerned that Serge’s purchase indicates an exercise in independence that he doesn’t get. Even if he doesn’t like them, Yvan needs the other two to bring some calm to his chaotic life. He’s the least grounded of the three and also the most fascinating in the exuberant performance by Larry Alexander.
Yvan is soon to be married and in one hilarious, beautifully delivered monologue, Alexander rushes into an apartment and re-enacts a lengthy argument (playing all the parts) he had with his mother over wedding invitations and the implications of his marriage. Marc and Serge just watch with bemused smiles.
Gary Marachek, left, and Larry Alexander, discuss friendship in Yasmina Reza's "ART" at Banyan Theater Company. GARY SWEETMAN PHOTO/BANYAN THEATER
Don Walker brings a folksy sense of calm superiority to his role as Serge. He doesn’t try to force his opinions on others, but he naturally expects them to follow along, which is what drives Marc crazy, in the nicely measured, aggressively frustrated performance by Gary Marachek.
The play unfolds on Chris McVicker’s attractively stark, somewhat plain and modern set, which quickly shifts from one friend’s apartment to another. Nick Jones’ lighting focuses our attention in key moments, and Christy Owen’s costumes suit the characters we see.
They keep us smiling and laughing and thinking about the people closest to us and wondering what keeps us together.
THEATER REVIEW
“ART”
By Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton. Directed by Julian Olf. Reviewed June 25, Banyan Theater Company, Cook Theatre in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Through July 12. 351-2808; banyantheatercompany.com
