Yasmina Reza’s 1994 French-language play, Art, is a scathing critique of the art world and the human condition, set against the backdrop of a painting that sparks a heated debate among three friends. The play, which premiered in Paris in 1994, was later adapted into a successful Broadway production in 1998, winning the Tony Award for Best Play. The play’s central theme is that a friendship, like a work of art, is highly valuable and easily damaged. The story revolves around Serge, Marc, and Yvan, three friends who are drawn into a conflict when Serge buys an expensive white painting, which they all have different opinions about. The play’s exploration of the fragility of friendship, ego, and identity is as relevant today as it was when the play first premiered. The new production, directed by Scott Ellis, features a talented cast, including Neil Patrick Harris, Bobby Cannavale, and James Corden, who bring to life the complex characters of Serge, Marc, and Yvan. The play’s original music is contributed by Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Kid Harpoon.
The play is set to run at the Music Box Theatre in New York City, a historic venue that has hosted numerous productions, including The Picture of Dorian Gray, Suffs, and Purlie Victorious.
- **What is Art on Broadway about?**
- The play is a contemporary portrait of a relationship impacted by impressions of art. It explores the fragility of friendship, ego, and identity.
- **Where is Art on Broadway playing?**
- The play is playing at the Music Box Theatre, located at 239 W. 45th St. between Broadway and Eighth Avenue.
- **How long is Art on Broadway?**
- The play runs around 100 minutes with no intermission.
- **What days is Art playing on Broadway?**
- The play plays Tuesday through Sunday, with two performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays and no performances on Mondays.
The play has had a number of high-profile stagings, including a world premiere in Paris in 1994, a successful Broadway run in 1998, and a 20th-anniversary London revival in 2016. The play has been translated into more than 30 languages and has won numerous awards, including the Tony Award for Best Play in 1998.
“Art is a play about the fragility of friendship and the power of art to reveal our true selves.” – Yasmina Reza
The play’s exploration of the human condition is as relevant today as it was when the play first premiered. It is a powerful commentary on the art world and the ways in which our perceptions of art can shape our relationships with others.
The play is not for men only. In 2018, three women starred in a production of Art in Pakistan, demonstrating that the play’s themes of friendship and identity are universal and relevant to people of all backgrounds.
The play’s unique productions have blurred the lines between the characters and the actors playing them. In 2018, a Crossing the Line Festival production in New York, performed in French with supertitles, blurred the lines between the characters and the actors playing them.
The play’s original music is contributed by Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Kid Harpoon. The play’s minimalist staging, featuring just one white painting and a few sticks of furniture, adds to the play’s unique and thought-provoking nature.
The play is set to resonate more than ever, given the current polarized views on art and the human condition. It is prime time for a reappraisal of the play’s themes and messages.
To get tickets for the play, visit the official website or contact the box office. The play’s run is set to continue through the 2025-26 season, with performances scheduled for Tuesday through Sunday, with two performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays and no performances on Mondays.
The play’s exploration of the human condition is a powerful commentary on the art world and the ways in which our perceptions of art can shape our relationships with others. It is a must-see for anyone interested in art, friendship, and the human condition.