Picasso at the Lapin Agile
Encyclopedia
Picasso at the Lapin Agile is a play written by Steve Martin
in 1993. It features the characters of Albert Einstein
and Pablo Picasso
, who meet at a bar
called the Lapin Agile
(Nimble Rabbit) in Montmartre
, Paris
. It is set on October 8, 1904, and 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, where they have a lengthy debate about the value of genius
and talent
while interacting with a host of other characters.
. The first reading of the play took place in Beverly Hills, California
at Steve Martin's home, with Tom Hanks
reading the role of Pablo Picasso
and Chris Sarandon
reading the role of Albert Einstein
. Martin then held a nine-day professional workshop of the play in Melbourne, Australia, at the Malthouse Theatre
(in conjunction with Belvoir St Theatre
), which ended with two public staged readings of the play. Following this, the play opened at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company
in Chicago, Illinois, on October 13, 1993. The show then enjoyed a successful run at the Westwood Playhouse (now known as the Geffen Playhouse
) in Los Angeles, California
. Finally, the show made its way to New York City
. The play has also had successful runs in other American cities.
Martin made several attempts to create a film version of the play, but none came to fruition. On November 27, 2006 Martin stated on his website that "there is no movie of Picasso at the Lapin Agile in the works."
in La Grande, Oregon
in March 2009 following a parent-led petition of 137 names opposed to the staging of the play. The petitioners objected to some of the adult themes and content, in response to which Martin wrote that the students knew that the "questionable behaviour sometimes evident in the play is not endorsed." In his letter to the La Grande Observer
, he compared the characterization that the play is about "people drinking in bars and treating women as sex objects" to characterising Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' as being "about a castle". Martin has responded to the banning of the play at La Grande High School with an offer to underwrite a production of the play at an alternate location, stating he does not want the play to acquire "a reputation it does not deserve."
There's much discussion of the shaping of the twentieth century. Picasso obviously represents art, Einstein represents science, and Schmendiman represents commercialism.
Picasso and Einstein eventually realize that their abilities are equally valuable.
Once the main characters have had their moment of insight, "The Visitor," a man from the future, crashes the party. Although the Visitor is never named, his identity can be surmised as Elvis Presley, among other things. The Visitor adds a third dimension to Picasso and Einstein's debate, representing the idea that genius is not always the product of academic or philosophical understanding, or as Gaston refers to it, "Brains".
Martin has written: "Focusing on Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity
and Picasso’s master painting, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
, the play attempts to explain, in a light-hearted way, the similarity of the creative process involved in great leaps of imagination in art and science."
Gaston, an older man
Germaine, waitress and Freddy's wife
Albert Einstein, age twenty-five
Suzanne, nineteen
Sagot, Picasso's art dealer
Pablo Picasso, age twenty-three
Charles Dabernow Schmendiman, a young man
The Countess
A female admirer
A Visitor
Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer....
in 1993. It features the characters of Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
and Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso known as Pablo Ruiz Picasso was a Spanish expatriate painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and stage designer, one of the greatest and most influential artists of the...
, who meet at a bar
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
called the Lapin Agile
Lapin Agile
Lapin Agile is a famous Montmartre cabaret, at 22 Rue des Saules, 18th arrondissement of Paris, France.It was originally called "Cabaret des Assassins". Tradition relates that the cabaret received this name because a band of assassins broke in and killed the owner's son...
(Nimble Rabbit) in Montmartre
Montmartre
Montmartre is a hill which is 130 metres high, giving its name to the surrounding district, in the north of Paris in the 18th arrondissement, a part of the Right Bank. Montmartre is primarily known for the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré Cœur on its summit and as a nightclub district...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. It is set on October 8, 1904, and 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
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
He followed his success by developing into his Rose period from 1904 to 1907, which introduced a strong element of sensuality and sexuality into his work...
in 1907) when they find themselves at the Lapin Agile, where they have a lengthy debate about the value of genius
Genius
Genius is something or someone embodying exceptional intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of unprecedented insight....
and talent
Skill
A skill is the learned capacity to carry out pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided into domain-general and domain-specific skills...
while interacting with a host of other characters.
Productions
This was the first full-length play written by Steve MartinSteve Martin
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer....
. The first reading of the play took place in Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together...
at Steve Martin's home, with Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
reading the role of Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso known as Pablo Ruiz Picasso was a Spanish expatriate painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and stage designer, one of the greatest and most influential artists of the...
and Chris Sarandon
Chris Sarandon
Chris Sarandon is an American actor who was married to actress Susan Sarandon between 1968 and 1979. He is best known for playing Prince Humperdinck in the film The Princess Bride, the vampire Jerry Dandridge in Fright Night and Detective Mike Norris in the first entry of the Child's Play series,...
reading the role of Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
. Martin then held a nine-day professional workshop of the play in Melbourne, Australia, at the Malthouse Theatre
Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne
Malthouse Theatre is the resident theatre company of the Malthouse performing arts complex in Southbank, part of the Melbourne Arts Precinct....
(in conjunction with Belvoir St Theatre
Belvoir St Theatre
Belvoir St Theatre is an Australian theatre venue in Sydney. The venue in Belvoir Street, Surry Hills previously operated as the Nimrod Theatre, and was founded as "Belvoir St" in 1984 by Sue Hill and Chris Westwood...
), which ended with two public staged readings of the play. Following this, the play opened at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a Tony Award-winning Chicago theatre company founded in 1974 by Gary Sinise, Terry Kinney and Jeff Perry in the basement of a church in Highland Park, Illinois. It has since relocated to Chicago's Halsted Street, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Its name comes from...
in Chicago, Illinois, on October 13, 1993. The show then enjoyed a successful run at the Westwood Playhouse (now known as the Geffen Playhouse
Geffen Playhouse
The Geffen Playhouse is a not for profit performing arts theater in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Originally named the Westwood Playhouse, UCLA purchased the property in 1993. UCLA's then chancellor, Charles E. Young, appointed Gil Cates Producing Director...
) in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. Finally, the show made its way to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The play has also had successful runs in other American cities.
Martin made several attempts to create a film version of the play, but none came to fruition. On November 27, 2006 Martin stated on his website that "there is no movie of Picasso at the Lapin Agile in the works."
Controversy
The play was pulled from La Grande High SchoolLa Grande High School
La Grande High School is a public high school in La Grande, Oregon, United States.-Academics:In 2008, 81% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma. Of 197 students, 159 graduated, 29 dropped out, and 9 are still in high school....
in La Grande, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
in March 2009 following a parent-led petition of 137 names opposed to the staging of the play. The petitioners objected to some of the adult themes and content, in response to which Martin wrote that the students knew that the "questionable behaviour sometimes evident in the play is not endorsed." In his letter to the La Grande Observer
The Observer (La Grande)
The Observer, established in 1896, is a newspaper that serves Union and Wallowa counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. Its headquarters are in La Grande, the county seat of Union County. The Observer circulates every day except Sunday to more than 14,000 people...
, he compared the characterization that the play is about "people drinking in bars and treating women as sex objects" to characterising Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' as being "about a castle". Martin has responded to the banning of the play at La Grande High School with an offer to underwrite a production of the play at an alternate location, stating he does not want the play to acquire "a reputation it does not deserve."
Analysis
Each character in Lapin Agile performs a specific function. For example, Schmendiman, an inventor, believes he is a genius but really knows very little, while Gaston, an amicable old Frenchman with prostate problems, is hesitant to listen to or believe anything that does not revolve around sex or drinking.There's much discussion of the shaping of the twentieth century. Picasso obviously represents art, Einstein represents science, and Schmendiman represents commercialism.
Picasso and Einstein eventually realize that their abilities are equally valuable.
Once the main characters have had their moment of insight, "The Visitor," a man from the future, crashes the party. Although the Visitor is never named, his identity can be surmised as Elvis Presley, among other things. The Visitor adds a third dimension to Picasso and Einstein's debate, representing the idea that genius is not always the product of academic or philosophical understanding, or as Gaston refers to it, "Brains".
Martin has written: "Focusing on Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity
Special relativity
Special relativity is the physical theory of measurement in an inertial frame of reference proposed in 1905 by Albert Einstein in the paper "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies".It generalizes Galileo's...
and Picasso’s master painting, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
He followed his success by developing into his Rose period from 1904 to 1907, which introduced a strong element of sensuality and sexuality into his work...
, the play attempts to explain, in a light-hearted way, the similarity of the creative process involved in great leaps of imagination in art and science."
Cast, in order of appearance
Freddy, the owner and bartender of the Lapin AgileGaston, an older man
Germaine, waitress and Freddy's wife
Albert Einstein, age twenty-five
Suzanne, nineteen
Sagot, Picasso's art dealer
Pablo Picasso, age twenty-three
Charles Dabernow Schmendiman, a young man
The Countess
A female admirer
A Visitor