Steve Martin's Comedic Genius Comes Out to Play in PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE at Open Book Theatre 3/10-25

Fans of comedian and actor Steve Martin will recognize his smart and ridiculous style in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, the first play he wrote for the stage. The story goes that Martin heard a joke that began "Picasso and Einstein walk into a bar..." and turned that concept into a joyous 90 minute romp.

The play places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism. In his first comedy for the stage, Steve Martin plays fast and loose with fact, fame and fortune as these two geniuses muse on the century's achievements and prospects as well as other fanciful topics with infectious dizziness. Martin said of the play, "Focusing on Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity and Picasso's master painting, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, the play attempts to explain, in a light-hearted way, the similarity of the creative process involved in great leaps of imagination in art and science."

Opening night tickets include an after party, and are $30 each. Tickets for all other performances are $20, or $15 for students and seniors. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, at a discount of $3 off each ticket.

"We've had a lot of groups booking tickets for this show," said Producing Artistic Director Krista Schafer Ewbank. "We've added a matinee performance to be sure to get them all in! It's a popular show, as well it should be. The first time I saw it on stage, at a theatre in California, I laughed so hard I cried."

General seating allows patrons to pick their own seat in the small, intimate space. "We set up our black box theatre in different configurations for each show," Ewbank says. This will be our first time as a thrust, with audience on three sides of the action. No seat is more than three rows from the stage." Audience members often compare the space to that of the well known Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea. "Except it's much closer to home," she jokes.

PERFORMANCE dates and times

Friday March 10, 8pm - opening night, all tickets $30
Saturday March 11, 8pm

Sunday March 12, 2pm
Friday March 17, 8pm
Saturday March 18, 8pm
Sunday March 19, 2pm - followed by a discussion with the artists
Thursday March 23, 8pm
Friday March 24, 8pm
Saturday March 25, 8pm

The Open Book production features 9 accomplished Metro Detroit professional actors: Melissa Beckwith, Joshua Brown, John DeMerelll, Garett Michael Harris, Dennis Kleinsmith, Allison Megroet, Lindel Salow, Alex Sloan and Nick Yocum. The show is directed by Topher Alan Payne with lights by Wilde award winning designer Harley Miah. The costumes are designed by local fashion designer Cheryl Zemke, and the set is by Bradly Bryne. Danielle Gilbert is stage managing.

Open Book Theatre is located at 1621 West Road, Trenton, MI 48183.

For more information at tickets visit www.openbooktc.com or call 734 288-7753. Tickets can also be purchased in person at Slick Disk, the record store next door to the theatre (at 1625 West Road).