How much would you pay for a white painting? Would it matter who the painter was? Would it be art? One of Marc's best friends, Serge, has just bought a very expensive painting. It's about five feet by four, all white with white diagonal lines. To Marc, the painting is a joke, but Serge insists Marc doesn't have the proper standard to judge the work. Another friend, Yvan, though burdened by his own problems, allows himself to be pulled into this disagreement. Eager to please, Yvan tells Serge he likes the painting. Lines are drawn and these old friends square off over the canvas, using it as an excuse to relentlessly batter one another over various failures. As their arguments become less theoretical and more personal, Serge hands Marc a felt tip pen and dares him: "Go on." This is where the friendship is finally tested and the aftermath of action, and its reaction, affirms the power of those bonds. Winner of the 1998 Tony Award for Best Play. Winner of the 1996 Olivier Award for Best Comedy. "...wildly funny, naughtily provocative...:" - - NY Post, "...a nonstop cross-fire of crackling language, serious issues of life and art expressed in outbursts that sound like Don Rickles with a degree from the Sorbonne...Reza is a fiendishly clever write...ART sounds like a marriage of Moliere and Woody Allen..." - Newsweek.

ART CAST

Poway Performing Arts Company Assistant Director Julie Sachs calls "Art" an actor's play -- and it shows. With a minimalistic "black box" set, the play's success or failure rests squarely on the actors. PowPAC's actors, while volunteers, have the panache and expertise to make this production a hit.

Written by Frenchwoman Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton, the Tony Award-winning play centers around three men who have been friends for more than 15 years. When Serge purchases an expensive modern painting, he doesn't receive the affirming reaction he expects from friends Marc and Yvan. The three men jump from dissecting the painting to dissecting their friendship, their choices in life and -- ultimately -- each other. As the men aggressively tear each other apart, the audience wonders if their friendship will survive.

Michael Hricko stars as Serge, a dermatologist by trade and up-and-coming art collector. The same quality acting Hricko brought to last year's "Touch & Go" is evident again. While he plays the role of Serge a little too dry for a comedy, it is a performance that will only get better as the run continues.

With sophisticated dialogue, the play's humor comes straight from the actors' delivery and posturing. Johanthan Sachs plays Serge's doubting and cynical friend Marc with both humor and melancholy. His expressive eyes and brows made the audience giggle at almost every line.

Tom Raftery, who returns to the stage after a two-year absence, plays Yvan, the "middle of the road" friend. His character has the widest range of emotions of the three men and Raftery transitions from one mercurial mood to another flawlessly. He said he was hesitant about monologues before this show. He should be hesitant no longer after capturing the audience's attention every time he spoke.

This is Connie Di Grazia's debut as a director at PowPAC and hopefully just a preview of more to come. The cast utilitzed all of the stage and easily transitioned from scene to scene.

While "Art" was played more as a comedic drama than a comedy, it was still great, funny entertainment. It will be a surpirse if the actors are not recognized with Aubrey awards.

"Art" is performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The play runs through Feb. 8. Tickets for "Art" are $12 for general admission and $10 for seniors, students and active military.

PowPAC is located upstairs in the Lively Center at 13250 Poway Road. Handicapped parking is available and an elevator to the second floor is located behind the shopping center.

For reservations, call (858) 679-8085.

PowPAC is a nonprofit community theatre organization.