In any long-term relationship, patterns of behavior, control, dominance, and power are fixed. But when one person begins to change the unwritten contract, it causes ripples. The other person often retaliates or fights back to reestablish the status quo.
While the play, Art, ostensibly is about a disagreement between Marc and Serge, two long-term friends over contemporary art, specifically a very expensive painting that Serge has purchased, in reality, it is about the changing dynamics of the friendship.
We have three friends, 25 years of friendship: Neil Patrick Harris as the dermatologist, Serge, Bobby Cannavale, as Serge, an aeronautical engineer, and James Corden as Yvan, the third part of the triangle.
The story is really about the relationship between Serve and Marc, with Yvan as the counterweight and comic relief.
It’s clear, at least to Marc, that he was the leader, the instructor, to Serge, but now Serge has gone and done something that truly shows his independence. He has purchased, for $300,000, a piece of contemporary art: a painting that appears white on white, though it is described as white with fine white lines. To Marc, this is the ultimate betrayal; he hates contemporary art. He hates most things in our contemporary life, and that his protégé, as he views Serge, would do something as ridiculous and stupid is a betrayal.
What do you do to keep a friendship alive? How do you adjust or readjust to the power balances? What happens when you open your eyes to the reality of a relationship?
At moments during this 90+ minute play, my mind wandered to Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe. Martha and George play “get the guest,“ a reference to the 1960s psychobabble of games people play? In this case, too often it is Yvan who is the butt of the games.
If you feel this play is strictly about a painting, you will find it amusing but dated. It is only if you look at it as a discussion more about human relationships, but you will find some depth to it
Yvan (Corden) is the friend who, to some extent, has been the comic relief and/ or punching bag of the other two. While they are successful in their careers, he has apparently gone from job to job and is now working for a stationery company. He lives with his mother, is engaged to someone that we’re not even sure if he cares for, and has been in therapy for years. The role offers two spectacular moments that allow Corden’s comic gifts to pour out; he handles them brilliantly. Once again, I remembered how astonished I was by his performance in One Man, Two Guvnors.
Marc is the least likable of the three. Cannavale gives us his disdain, his pretentiousness, and his self-righteousness. He’s successful; apparently, he’s in a married or stable relationship, so why does he feel so threatened that Serge has moved from mentee to equal? Unfortunately, the author, Yasmina Reza, never lets us in on the secret. It’s hard to feel a lot of sympathy for him.
Serge is the most reserved of the three characters; Harris quietly projects a confidence that may be new to him.
Art, which is closing shortly after a very successful limited run, may not have you discussing the value of contemporary heart, but it will make you think about your own friendships and how you maintain them.
Director Scott Ellis has done a fine job with excellent production values. The scenic design by David Rockwell easily switches between Marc’s, Serge’s, and Yvan’s apartments.
It is at The Music Box theatre through Sunday, Dec.21.