"A rare treat... A rich artistic melange... Priscilla Allen, grand dame of local theatre has outdone herself!..."
--Anne Marie Welsh, SD Union Tribune (Read Reviews)
The Painting
by
Eugene Ionesco
In a new Translation by Nadja Lancelot and Robert Salerno
Directed by Robert Salerno
Art Director, Set & Costume Design
Nadja Lancelot
Sound Design
Robert Salerno
Lighting Design
Sally Stockton
Costumes
Sheila Rosen
Stage Manager/Props…………………………….Charlie
Riendeau
Photography/Cover Art by Savage Solutions www.savages4hire.com
CAST
(IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)
Priscilla Allen.........The Corpulent Gentleman
Jim Turner ....................................The Painter
Laura Bozanich......................................Alice
Jennifer Eve Kraus.......................The Painting
Rachael Van Wormer..................The Neighbor
Setting: A Townhouse, Paris
C'est L'Absurd!
The Painting, one of Ionesco’s earliest works,
was written at another time of great post-war turmoil. It harkens back to
the anti-realistic styles of Jarry, Apollinaire, and Cocteau. Ionesco likened
pure theatre to a sporting match with “live antagonism, dynamic conflict,
and motiveless clash of opposing wills.” The Painting concerns a wealthy
patron of the arts and a starving artist who engage in a kind of linguistic
and aesthetic slapstick that is hilariously acerbic, sending up not only the
bourgeoisie, but the art world as well. Ionesco exposes the ugly power differential
created by circumstances of wealth and gender within the absurd landscape
of his vision of modern life. That he does so with such hilarity and lightness
is truly remarkable.- --Robert
Salerno
“We laugh so as not to cry.”—Ionesco
Currently running with Robert Salerno's award-winning production of Cocteau's
The Wedding on The Eiffel Tower
March 7-28, 2004
Lyceum Space, S.D. Repertory Theatre