Friendships put to the test in award-winning play Art at Renaissance Center

Release Date: 7/5/2005. Expired: 8/6/2005

What is art? Is one man’s trash truly another man’s treasure? What happens when friends disagree on a piece of art?

These questions are at the center of the Tony Award-winning play Art, being presented for one performance only at The Renaissance Center in Dickson on Saturday, Aug. 6. Tickets for the 7 p.m. performance are $15, which includes a pre-show reception and the play presented inside the Visual Arts Gallery.

Written by Yasmina Reza, a French actress, playwright and novelist, Art won the top theatre awards in France, England and the United States.

The original French production won the Moliere Awards for Best Play, Best Production and Best Author in 1994.

An English translation by Christopher Hampton won London’s Olivier Award for Best New Comedy as well as a Best Play Award from the Evening Standard in 1997.

Art won the Tony Award as Best Play in 1998 and earned a Best Actor nomination for Alfred Molina (Doc Ock in Spider-Man 2). The play also starred Alan Alda (MASH and The West Wing) and Victor Garber (Alias and Legally Blonde) for 600 performances in the Royale Theatre on Broadway.

Described as a funny, philosophical drama, Art looks at what happens between three friends when one of them buys an expensive piece of modern art.

Serge shells out a lot of money for a white painting with white diagonal lines. Marc hates it and can’t believe how much Serge paid for it. Yvan attempts to placate both sides and preserve friendships.

The painting becomes a catalyst as the three friends relentlessly batter each other over various failures. The arguments become more and more personal and threaten to destroy the long-standing friendships.

At the breaking point, Serge hands Marc a felt tip pen and dares him, “Go on,” putting their friendships to the ultimate test.

“Art asks the question, ‘Are you who you think you are or are you who your friends think you are?’” says Amy Scott, managing director of the Renaissance Players and director of the show. “This production will make the audience feel almost as if they are taking part in the discussion as we present it in the very intimate surroundings of the Visual Arts Gallery.”

Seating will be limited and the $15 ticket includes a reception with hors d’oeuvres.

For more information on The Renaissance Center production of Art, call (615)740-5600.

The Renaissance Center is an arts and technology education and performing arts center at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, just 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172.

Visit the Theatre page for more about community and professional theatre.

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