Picasso at the Lapin Agile at FSU

Picasso at the Lapin Agile

by Kate Molander

(Photo credit: http://www.frostburg.edu/events/univtheatre/main-stage-productions/)

        The first major play of the spring 2012 semester performed by the students of Frostburg State University students was “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.” The play, originally written by Steve Martin, is a light comedy about the meeting of two great people in history: Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, both in their early twenties.  “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” was held at the Performing Arts Center on Frostburg campus and was attended by students, faculty, and people in the local community.

            “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” is placed in 1904 in a Paris bar. The play required some thought on the audience’s part, but the comical parts of the play were very obvious. Junior English major at Frostburg State University, Celina Bevington, said of the play, “The play was interesting. It provided a comedic and intriguing look into the lives of two men who are not always discussed in detail. The set was well done and the little quirks, like Gaston having to pee, made the audience laugh.” And laugh they did.

            The attention to detail of the set was quite incredible. Every time Gaston flushed the toilet, a different type of toilet sound was made (airplane, boat, etc). The paintings on the walls were all mock-ups of Picasso’s work over the year and they were each painted by students at FSU. The lighting effects of the play helped set the stage of the play; the best lighting spectacle of the play was at the very end when the room was filled with the starry night sky.

            The costumes, which may have been one of the most impressive elements of the play, were created in FSU’s own costume shop. Students and teachers alike worked to create original costumes that were also fitting to the time period. The costumes also gave the audience an idea about each character’s social status.

            The play, which ran about six shows, was very well done and really got the audience to think. Frostburg State University puts on at least two main theatrical performances a year. The next play to be performed by Frostburg State University students is “Made in America” which is created and directed by FSU’s own Mairzy Yost-Rushton. Those shows will begin April 27^th and run on various days until May 5^th. For more information on the shows, tickets prices, and show times, visit http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/theatredance/ or stop by the Performing Arts Center on Frostburg University Campus.