There's something highly entertaining and also disturbing about watching a trio of yuppie buddies regress from high brow intellectualism to a drunken brawl. In the case of Serge (Chris Kendall), Marc (Jim Hunt) and Yvan (Josh Hartwell) in Miners Alley Playhouse's meticulously staged and deftly performed production of "Art," the catalyst for a complete breakdown of friendship, civility and decency, is the purchase of an expensive "white on white" painting.
Imagine a "Seinfeld" episode that actually is about something, and you'll be able to appreciate Yasmina Reza's "Art." Actually, if anything, "Art" is about a little too much, as each character must work through a fully developed crisis of identity that becomes less amusing as more and more alcohol fuels the flames of discontent.
The comedy starts off on a very high note, as a dermatologist purchases a preposterously expensive work of minimalist modern art, only to have it mocked by his best friend. The comedy is at its best when it explores the nature of art, its value, popularity and appreciation. But the essentially blank canvas triggers hurt feelings and jealousies, as the friends go to dark places in their relationship and sense of self. A neurotic mutual friend tries unsuccessfully to remain neutral while dealing with problems of his own.
Under Richard Pegg's outstanding direction, Kendall, Hunt and Hartwell excel in their roles, smoothly moving from shielded to increasingly dysfunctional to blotto drunk as the layers of restraint are stripped away. That kind of sustained breakdown is extremely difficult to do, and this cast makes it look easy.
The characters and setting are clearly Parisian, and the play feels most foreign as three grown men who never mention sports seem totally preoccupied with talk about authentic relationships, but an American sensibility creeps in, depriving the audience of too much aesthetic distance. Marc's mid-life misanthropic malaise becomes increasingly toxic, Yvan's obsessive neatness and fear of women borders on debilitating mental illness, and Serge, whose occupation concerns blemishes and flaws is willing to squander a fortune and jettison relationships for a chance at gazing upon a painting that represents cleanliness, simplicity and perfection.
It takes awhile for the three to work out their differences, testing the resiliency of their friendship to the breaking point, but this is a comedy after all, and a work of art that stays with the audience long after the lights go out.
"Art" plays at Miners Alley Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday, through October 24 in Golden. Prices range from $19-$26.50. For information and reserved-seat tickets, call 303-935-3044 or visit www.minersalley.com.
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