Picasso at the Lapin Agile

"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.

Productions

This was the first full-length play written by Steve Martin. The first reading of the play took place in Beverly Hills 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 Malthouse Theatre (in conjunction with Belvoir Street Theatre) which ended with two public staged readings of the play. Following this, the play opened at the Steppenwolf Theatre Co. in Chicago, on October 13, 1994 [ [http://www.steppenwolf.org/ensemble/history/productions/index.aspx?id=122 History: "Picasso At The Lapin Agile" (Oct. 13, 1994 - May. 12, 1994) | Steppenwolf Theatre Company ] ] . The show then enjoyed a successful run at the Westwood Playhouse (now known as the Geffen Playhouse) in Los Angeles. Finally, the show made its way to New York City. The play 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; and on November 27, 2006 Martin stated on his website that "there is no movie of "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" in the works." [ [http://www.stevemartin.com/steves_message/message.php?page=11&| Steves Message to You ] ]

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 their moment of insight, "The Visitor," an unidentified man from the future, crashes the party. The Visitor is not identified directly, although there is little question he is Elvis Presley, easily identified by his blue suede shoes, among other things. Elvis 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."

Cast, in order of appearance

Freddy, the owner and bartender of the Lapin Agile
Gaston, an older man
Germaine, waitress and Freddy's girlfriend
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

Footnotes