Bainbridge Performing Arts Presents PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE

Steve Martin's absurdist comedy 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.

Martin pits genius against genius with dizzying brilliance. In his first comedy for the stage, the popular actor and screenwriter plays fast and loose with fact, fame, and fortune as these two geniuses spar over art and science, the source of inspiration, their respective libidos, and the promise and dreams of the 20th century. The two are joined by an eccentric cast of bystanders, including Picasso's date and agent, the bartender and his mistress, an elderly philosopher, Charles Dabernow Schmendimen, an idiot inventor, and a charismatic dark-haired singer time warped in from a later era.

Director Teresa Thuman leads a sterling cast featuring both familiar faces and newcomers including Matt Manguso (Freddy), Fred Saas (Gaston), Melissa Fenwick (Germaine), Tim Takechi (Albert Einstein), Madison Jade Jones (Suzanne), Chris Martinez (Sagot), Cooper Harris Turner (Pablo Picasso), Luke Sayler (Charles Dabernow Schemendiman), Jennifer Pippin-Montanez (The Countess), and Max Martina (a visitor). Teresa previously directed BPA's productions of HAIR, The Who's Tommy, The Producers, Noises Off, Secret Garden, Urinetown, Kiss Me, Kate, and Little Shop of Horrors.

BPA's team of theatre professionals work with volunteer cast members from Bainbridge, Kitsap, Seattle, and beyond to produce professional-quality, vigorously-supported, and enthusiastically-attended shows in our 245-seat facility. We produce six Mainstage shows a year, including a summer Shakespeare production at nearby Bloedel Reserve. BPA also houses The Edge Improv, Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra, and BPA Theatre School. PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE was previously produced at BPA in January of 2006 and directed by Kate Carruthers.

PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE appears at BPA October 7 - 23, with shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.The run includes a Pay-What-You-Can Preview on Thursday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m., and the Opening Night Reception is Friday, October 7 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, $29 for adults, $24 for seniors, and $21 for students, youth, military, and teachers, may be purchased online atwww.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, by phone at 206.842.8569, or in person at BPA, 200 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island. BPA Box Office hours are 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and one hour prior to each performance.

BPA is pleased to offer a special "Date Night" package on for families whose children have been enrolled in BPA Theatre School classes during the past year. On the Saturday, October 8 evening performance, parents are invited to bring their children for a supervised evening of improv games and a movie while they enjoy the opening show of BPA's 60th Anniversary Season.

Bainbridge Performing Arts extends special thanks to its Community Sponsor The Maggi Rogers Fund. BPA is supported, in part, byBainbridge Community Foundation and One Call for All. Bainbridge Performing Arts is pleased to offer an "Open Doors" program. Free and reduced-cost tickets are available for most programs to community members in need through our partner Helpline House thanks to grants from the Mabee Family and Bainbridge Community Foundations. Please contact the BPA Box Office at 206.842.8569 or Helpline House to reserve tickets today.