“Picasso at the Lapin Agile” reviewed by Edie Reese

[rating=5] “Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein walk into a bar.” It sounds like the beginning of a joke, doesn’t it? In fact, it is the premise for Steve Martin’s (yes, that Steve Martin) absurdist comedy “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” playing now through May 22 at the Citadel Theatre, 300 South Waukegan Road in Lake Forest, IL.

The 30-year-old show (which first premiered at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater) imagines a meeting between Einstein and Picasso in a Paris café in 1904, before either of them had attained fame. Citadel Artistic Director Scott Phelps ably directs this crackerjack ensemble cast, which had the opening-night audience in stitches for the entire hour-and-a-half (no intermission).

Surprisingly relevant to today, the two geniuses speculate on what the new century (the 20th) will be like, as well as dozens of other topics (chief among them being women and money). Mark Yacullo plays the buttoned-up, logical Einstein; Travis Ascione is the free-thinking, womanizing Picasso. Philip C. Matthews is the long-suffering (and perpetually broke) bar owner, Freddy, and Amy Stricker plays the waitress, Germaine. Citadel veteran Dan Duel plays barfly and “old guy” Gaston. (Gaston makes so many bathroom jokes—and spends so much time in the loo—that I had a sudden urge to visit the ladies’ room by the end of the show.)

Ian Cummisford plays an unidentified Visitor who (not to give anything away) some audience members may find somewhat familiar.

Rounding out the excellent cast are Juliana Liscio in a dual role as Suzanne and The Countess, Tim Walsh as the obnoxious art dealer Sagot and Jake Busse as Schmendiman, an intellectual/inventor who fancies himself the greatest thing since sliced bread. A shout out here to Costume Director Cindy Moon for the turquoise top hat and scarf combination, which makes Schmendiman look like some further demented version of the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.

Johnathan Berg Einhorn (Set Designer), Samuel Stephen (Lighting Designer), Evan Sposato and Nick Peebles (Master Carpenters) and Laura DeCrooq (Props Design) combine their talents to evoke the slightly seedy atmosphere of the Lapin Agile, down to the peeling wallpaper. Even as one enters the theater, Sound Designer Jonsey Jones evokes early 20th Century Paris by playing French ballads in the background.
Show times are:
Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sundays at 3 p.m.
Wednesdays, April 27 and May 4 at 1 p.m.

Ticket prices for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday performances are $40; prices for Saturday and Sunday performances are $45. Discounts are available for groups, seniors and students. Tickets are available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext.1.
COVID policy has changed for Citadel Theatre. There is no longer a mask requirement, and proof of vaccination is no longer required.

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