Lakewood Theatre Company's ART Begins 10/26

Lakewood Theatre Company's 60th season continues with the Tony Award-winning play 'ART' by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton. The production, with stage direction by Alan Shearman, is a sly, satiric comedy that explores the perception of art and its effect on lasting friendships.

Winner of the 1998 Tony Award for Best Play, 'ART' revolves around three friends who tangle over the merits of an all-white painting that one of them has purchased for a small fortune. What begins as a polite discussion of personal taste rapidly devolves into all-out war as the guys relentlessly batter each other over their various foibles and failures.

Lakewood Theatre's production of 'ART' opens October 26, 2012 with performances running through December 2, 2012 with the following schedule: Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 PM; Sundays at 7:00 PM (October 28, November 4 & 11), and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM (November 4, 18, 25 & December 2). There is no performance Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22 but there is a Wednesday Nov. 28 performance at 7:30 PM. Please note: this show has language recommended for mature audiences.
The theatre is located at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street in Lake Oswego. Ticket prices are $30/adults and $27/seniors. Other discounts are available for students and groups. Patrons can still purchase season tickets for a four-show package which provides discounted admission and preferred seating. For additional information and tickets, call the Lakewood Box Office at (503) 635-3901 or order online at www.lakewood-center.org.

The Story: Serge (David Knell), a collector of modern art, purchases a large, expensive, completely stark white painting. The painting is described in the following manner, "Imagine a canvas about five foot by four, with a white background, completely white in fact, with fine white diagonal stripes." Serge's gregarious friend Marc (Leif Norby) is aghast at what he perceives is his friend's utter madness. Their relationship suffers considerable strain as a result of their differing opinions of what constitutes art and what does not. Another friend, mild mannered Yvan (Alan H. King), is caught in the middle, trying in vain to remain neutral.

Lakewood's creative team includes stage director Alan Shearman, scenic designer Jeff Seats, lighting designer Mark LaPierre, costume designer Margaret Louise Chapman, stage manager Felix Kelsey and prop master Domeka Parker. Sound design is by Dan Hallberg, hair design is by Jane Holmes, the technical director is Kurt Herman and the producer is Kay Vega.