Talking About "Picasso..."

For our next interview, we hear from Jonathan Joy, a multi-talented writer, actor and director who's tackling the comic play Picasso at the Lapin Agile this weekend at the Jeslyn Theater in Huntington.

Q: For those who haven't heard of it, tell us about Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

A: The play takes place in a bar (the Lapin Agile) in Paris in 1904. It is a comedy/fantasy revolving around a meeting between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein just years before their work changed the century. Bar patrons add even more humor to the fast paced show, each throwing in their own comedic viewpoints about life, love and work. The play is written by Steve Martin, who many people know from his film work and his days on Saturday Night Live.

Q: Why did you decide to tackle "Picasso?"

A: I've been a big fan of Steve Martin since I was a kid. This play is witty and well written. It's one of my favorite contemporary comedies. And the characters are so much fun. I thought it would give us an opportunity to showcase a nice ensemble of actors. I had the opportunity to perform in this play seven years ago and I had a great time. It's one of those plays that I think I could do over and over again.

Q: What actors are appearing in the play?

A: We have an awesome cast. Mike Murdock plays Einstein at age 25 and Travis McElroy play a young Pablo Picasso. I play a 62-year-old barfly named Gaston and Dwight Slappe plays Freddy, the bartender. Others include Melissa Langham as Freddy's girlfriend, Germaine, Michael Sullivan as idiot inventor Charles Dabernow Schmendiman, Karah Markins as Suzanne, Mark Cohn as Picasso's art dealer, Josh Jannotta as a time traveling visitor from the 1950's and Jen McComas and Cabrina Pierson. And on the technical end of the show, my wife, Rissie Joy, has designed the set, posters and program.

Q: You're putting on the play at the Jeslyn Theater (the old Camelot Theater in downtown Huntington). Does it lend itself to this kind of production?

A: It's a perfect space for this play. We have a large stage at our disposal and comfortable seats for the audience. This is our second play in just over five months at the Jeslyn and I'm looking forward to many more. I grew up in this area and I saw many movies at the Camelot in my youth. It's nice to see it getting a second life as a performing arts center. That's great for the community.

Q: Why would you urge people to come out and see this show?

A: It's very funny. We have a great cast performing a wonderfully written script. The audience is going to have a lot of fun. And $8.00 is a bargain for an evening of live theatre.

Q: What are the dates and times for the show?

A: We have 3 performances. We open this Friday, November 30 and continue our run Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2 at 8:00 p.m. each night. Tickets will be available each night at 7:30pm when the doors open.