Newnan

Community Theater launched its production of Steve

Martin's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" Friday.

The theater

company is known for producing some of the more

irreverent and less traditional plays, which

"Picasso" most certainly is.

Set in

Paris in 1904, the play deals with a fictional meeting

between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein while they are

in their early 20s. The young men discuss everything

under the sun, including what they hope to contribute to

the world and the world of art versus the world of

science.

The play is

directed by 17-year-old Mike Funt, a senior at Newnan

High School. Along with choosing the cast, running the

rehearsals and building the sets, Funt also did intense

character development with his actors and sought the

support of the play's author, comedian Steve Martin.

To help the

actors understand the setting of the piece and the

mindframe of the characters, Funt brought in three local

teachers to give mini-lectures on a variety of pertinent

topics. A science teacher discussed the contributions of

Einstein, a french teacher discussed the French language

and culture at the turn of the century, and an art

teacher discussed Picasso and his influence on art.

Funt also

invited Steve Martin to attend the production, and

perhaps assist the fund-raising efforts for Newnan

Community Theater as the troup prepares to enter its new

building. Martin called and thanked Funt for the

invitation. He sent Funt a letter of regret that he could

not make the show, along with an autographed poster from

the premiere production of the play in Los Angeles.

Funt's

tireless efforts paid off. His production of

"Picasso at the Lapin Agile" is a winner. The

acting is excellent, the set design of a small bar in

turn-of-the-century Paris is almost like a work of art

from that period itself, but the biggest star of the play

is the script by Martin. Wildly dancing between being

thought-provoking and being outrageously silly and

jubilant, "Picasso" races through 90 minutes,

much like ideas race through Picasso's and Einstein's

heads.

It seemed

that every role could have been played by Steve Martin

and that it was written that way. There is plenty to

laugh out loud about and often it is what you find

lurking through your head that is so funny.

The

performances were on par with much of the theater you see

in Atlanta. There is a great sense of professionalism and

a wonderful identification of the actors with their

characters.

The roles

of Picasso and Einstein are handled exceptionally well by

Jason Vaughn and Jeff Allen respectively. You also get

the feeling that the cast members steeped themselves in

enough Steve Martin to really appreciate the comedic

timing necessary for a number of the lines.

The females

were also excellent in their performances. Kelly Butler

plays Suzanne with just the right mixture of Spanish

spice to heat up her scenes, and Julie Price as Germaine

shines. Her scene with Picasso toward the end truly shows

her wide range, going from an enchanted woman to an

empowered woman within seconds.

After the

show, you will find yourself amazed that a high school

senior directed the play so adeptly. Ninety minutes feels

like 45, and you find yourself hoping for a few more

minutes with the characters, or better yet, one more

night at the Lapin Agile.

Mike Funt

will definitely move forward from this production and

that is a very promising and exciting premise, because

even at 17, Funt knows how to deliver the magic as well

as the entertainment.

Picasso at

the Lapin Agile will be performed Oct. 8-22 at the

Manget-Brannon Center for the Arts on First Avenue in

Newnan. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and

Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $8 for

adults and $6 for students. For information, phone

770-251-4848.

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