Like any super play, there have been some truly terrible productions of Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

These flawed interpretations have sometimes failed to capture the essence and magic of the original work.

However, despite these setbacks, I still have an unwavering love for reading that play.

The story, with its unique characters and engaging plot, continues to draw me in and spark my imagination.

And then there's Patter for the Floating Lady.

This play, while undeniably weird and having its fair share of flaws, also contains some really beautiful moments.

These moments of beauty and inspiration shine through the oddness and make the play a worthwhile experience.

Even with their imperfections, both Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Patter for the Floating Lady have a certain charm and allure that keep me coming back for more.

They are a testament to the power of theater to both delight and challenge us, and I look forward to many more encounters with these and other great plays in the future.

The play "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" was written in 1993 by Martin Short, an American actor, comedian, writer, and musician. He is a person who has won numerous awards in the world of filmmaking.

The story, with philosophical and intellectual themes and layers, narrates a fictional and chance encounter between a young Albert Einstein and a young Pablo Picasso in a bar called the Lapin Agile in Paris in 1904, precisely when these two had not yet created the masterpieces of their lives. Einstein had not yet published the theory of relativity, and Picasso had not painted the famous painting "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon."

In the story, these two begin a discussion about the value of genius versus talent and explore what is needed for excellence in their respective specialties, art (Picasso) and science (Einstein). The writer uses this discussion to make us wonder whether they are a type of genius or not. Is there a big difference between cubism and relativity, talent and genius, inspiration and formula? And throughout this time, we are the observers of an intellectual duel between Einstein and Picasso, in which the chosen weapon is the pen, which ultimately leads us to the similarities between artistic and scientific creativity.

This play should be read and enjoyed, and along with the enjoyment, one should also reach an understanding of its different aspects.

In addition to the play, the book also has two other sections at the end. The first is a piece written by Short about his personal life, which was published in The New Yorker in 2007, and the second is an interview with him conducted by Frank Rich in 2014.

October 2023

I decided to read this book after learning that "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" would be the school play this year.

As I delved into the play, there were numerous moments that made me burst out laughing, a rare occurrence when I'm reading a book. Everything about this play is simply outstanding, and the comedy is truly brilliant. Steve Martin has described each character with such precision that the reader can't help but fall in love with every one of them, as they all possess distinct and peculiar personalities.

My personal favorite character is Schmendiman. Despite being a very minor character, I found myself chuckling the most at his lines. The play follows eleven characters who gather at a bar in France. The most famous among them are Picasso, Einstein, and a Visitor from the future, who turns out to be Elvis.

The play may not have a traditional plot, but everything is set up so perfectly that it can have you laughing uncontrollably at times. After reading the play, I had the opportunity to watch the students practice performing it, and everyone embodied their respective characters flawlessly. I would definitely recommend this play to anyone. It was so different from anything I had ever read and was an extremely enjoyable read.

I read this tonight at my book group. The play was truly witty and great fun. What made the experience even more pleasurable was that each of us got to take a part and read it out loud. The characters in the play included famous figures like Picasso and Einstein. It was such a very creative idea for a night at the book group! We had lots of laughs, especially because of the always humorous Steve Martin. His lines and delivery were just hilarious. It was a wonderful evening filled with entertainment and enjoyment. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and can't wait for the next book group meeting with another great play or story to read and act out.

I didn't find this the least bit funny, and I highly doubt it would have been produced, let alone given a second glance, if it weren't for the fact that the author is Steve Martin.

The play revolves around a fictional encounter between Einstein and Picasso in 1904. However, it fails to live up to its own expectations of being both funny and intelligent. It's one of those plays that constantly tries to show off to the audience, as if saying, "See how clever we all are?!"

There are countless brilliant playwrights out there, and so many unheralded plays that are far funnier, smarter, and cleverer without even trying. Reading "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" mostly just made me angry and annoyed. I would not recommend this play at all. It simply doesn't measure up to the standards set by other great works in the world of theater.

"Picasso at the Lapin Agile" is an extremely quick read. It seems to be written in a way that is almost like an extended version of the classic "Who's on First?" joke. And it truly functions splendidly in this particular setting of the Lapin Agile in 1904, with the presence of Picasso, Einstein, and other vivid and colorful characters who enter the scene along the way.

I discovered it to be a highly enjoyable read. Steve Martin undoubtedly has a remarkable talent and flair for writing for the stage. It is a work that more people should have the opportunity to read or, preferably, witness on stage.

The play's fast-paced nature and humorous undertones make it a captivating piece of literature. The combination of historical figures and fictional scenarios adds an element of intrigue and entertainment.

Overall, "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" is a delightful and engaging work that showcases Steve Martin's writing skills and creativity. It is a must-read for those interested in theater, history, or simply a good laugh.

This is an extremely brilliant "what if" play.

In 1904, before both Picasso and Einstein achieved their renowned fame, they encounter each other at a café.

The play masterfully contrasts their distinct philosophies regarding art, life, and the concept of changing the universe.

It's truly a captivating exploration of their different perspectives.

Adding to the intrigue, there is even a surprise guest who arrives from the future.

And somehow, in the context of this imaginative play, that's perfectly alright.

The combination of these elements creates a truly engaging and thought-provoking experience for the audience.

It makes one wonder about the possibilities that could have arisen if such a meeting had actually taken place and how it might have influenced the course of history.

Overall, this "what if" play is a remarkable piece of work that offers a unique and fascinating look into the minds of two great thinkers.

Is there anything this man can't do? The titular play was not only fun but also fascinating.

Although the whole Elvis thing seemed rather odd to me, it added a unique flavor to the overall experience.

I must admit that at certain points, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The three one-acts were also excellent reads.

In particular, I was deeply touched by 'Patter for the Floating Lady'.

It had a certain charm that made me feel a sense of sadness.

The way the story was crafted and the emotions it evoked were truly remarkable.

Overall, this collection of plays offered a diverse range of experiences, from laughter to sadness, and everything in between.

It was a great read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

I have a deep affection for Steve Martin, the remarkable actor and comedian. His on-screen presence and comedic timing have always managed to bring a smile to my face. However, when it comes to Steve Martin the writer, my feelings are rather different.

Perhaps it's because I lack the intellectual acuity to fully appreciate his plays. There were indeed certain moments within each of them that I found enjoyable. In particular, the character WASP and Einstein in the title play left a positive impression on me.

Nonetheless, on the whole, I was not overly impressed with the level of hilarity that was being touted in the reviews. It seems that my perception of what is truly funny may not align with that of the critics.

Maybe with further exploration and a more open mind, I will be able to discover the hidden gems within Steve Martin's written works and develop a greater appreciation for his talent as a writer.

Picasso was a revolutionary artist, but this production about him barely felt like a play.

It seemed more like a setup for some rather mediocre punchlines. The story lacked depth and failed to truly capture the essence of Picasso's complex life and art.

The characters were one-dimensional, and the dialogue was often forced and unconvincing.

While there were some interesting moments, overall, the play left much to be desired.

It could have delved deeper into Picasso's relationships, his artistic process, and the historical context in which he lived.

Instead, it relied on tired jokes and clichés to try to engage the audience.

Perhaps with a rewrite and a more thoughtful approach, this play could have been a more fitting tribute to one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.

As it stands, however, it is a missed opportunity.

This feels like a lite version of Tom Stoppard.

In particular, it bears a resemblance to the Waiting For Godot aspect of Rosencrantz. However, in this case, Picasso actually does make an appearance.

What I truly relished about Lapin Agile is that Martin breaks numerous rules and tropes of traditional absurdist drama. Whether it's done deliberately or perhaps because he doesn't care or know better, either way, it's a breath of fresh air.

For example, instead of concluding the play with increasingly profound and subtle dialogues among the main characters, he simply decides to say "screw it" and has Elvis show up. And surprisingly, it works.

I really had a great time enjoying this play. It offers a unique and refreshing take on the absurdist genre, challenging the norms and expectations in a way that keeps the audience engaged and entertained.

The unexpected twists and turns, along with the infusion of famous figures like Picasso and Elvis, add an extra layer of趣味性 and charm to the whole experience.

Overall, Lapin Agile is a play that stands out for its boldness and creativity, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something different and exciting in the world of theater.

I assist in managing a theater group along with my dearest friends.

Consequently, I am constantly on the lookout for novel material that is captivating, feasible, and marketable enough to attract an audience.

This collection encompasses three one-act plays and a full-length play.

I am not overly acquainted with Steve Martin's stand-up, so I had no clear idea of what to anticipate from his writing.

The one-act plays didn't particularly appeal to me, but the title play was truly ingenious.

It pertains to an imagined encounter between Einstein and Picasso and is written in a highly clever manner.

It breaks the fourth wall for amusement and makes some profound points without being overly forceful with the audience.

"Picasso at the Lapin Agile" is most definitely one that I will be examining with the intention of staging it.

Overall, while the collection had its ups and downs, this particular play shows great promise for our theater group's next production.

We are always eager to bring engaging and thought-provoking works to the stage, and this play seems to fit the bill perfectly.

I look forward to exploring it further and seeing how it can be brought to life on our stage.