So… it has been a while… a long while. And why is that? Because typically I would be working on a stage production and although I may have time to see friends in shows… I wouldn’t necessarily have time to think about the show itself to write a review about it.
But somehow, this time around… I am not involved with or anticipating being involved in a production and ergo have time to think. Not only that but this is one of those productions that just needed to be mentioned and immortalized in print… even if it is on my own blog.
“Art” is produced by Mad Props Productions in association with Bard in the Burbs. Directed by the incredibly talented Ken Kaden and whose cast includes the equally talented trio of Christopher Williams (Marc), Sean Ogren (Serge), and Aaron Hoge (Yvan) with Fletcher Ogren and Maureen Corcoran working tech and stage managing.
“Art” is a moment in a trio of lives of three friends as they converse, debate, argue over art, life, love, friendship, and growth.
What makes this piece difficult to stage is that the actors have to bounce off of one another and work off of one another so effortlessly that it pulls the audience in for the ride and doesn’t let them go until the end… and even then, the audience shouldn’t want the ride to end quite so soon.
With the staging so simply set (a sofa, side table, and a couple of chairs) all that is needed are the actors to fill the space… and that they did and much more:
The trio of Christopher Williams, Sean Ogren, and Aaron Hoge have found that balance and the ebbs and flows of their characters between one another and themselves that is arguably a Masterclass of how to listen and work with your scene partners through the script.
One may infer that the actors may have been tailor-made for their roles, but this blogger would argue that the roles were just quite simply the perfect embodiment of each of the individual actor’s life work to this point… knowing that they still have decades to give.
I could go and provide accolades to each individual actor… and I probably should… but what can I say that would accurately describe the power of each individual’s talent and charisma that they bring to life.
One person said it best: “They made me forget that they were my friends.” and I agree. To transcend the personal connection and to pull the audience into the characters and the piece isn’t easy and yet this trio does it effortlessly.
There is only one weekend remaining for this gem of a show, nestled in the quiet of suburban Lisle. For $15 cash at the door… this is a must-see show.
For information on tickets please go to “Art” on Stacey De’s Website. Shows are at 8pm on Friday and Saturday, 7pm on Sunday.