by Christine Sarkes

Art at the Guthrie Theater through January 28 thoughtfully and hilariously tackles a multitude of themes focused on friendship, the intrinsic and extrinsic value of art, and personal identity defined by relationships. The play, which won a Tony Award for Best Play in 1998 and was written by French playwright Yasmina Reza, definitely has a European, ‘rarified company’ feel as the protagonists, Serge (Robert O. Berdahl), Marc (Patrick Sabongui) and Yvan (Max Wojtanowicz), fight passionately over Serge’s decision to buy a comically expensive all-white abstract painting by a de rigueur artist.

The play opens in a Parisian apartment with the characters introducing themselves and each other to the audience, setting the stage for the ensuing personality conflicts that unfold as they discuss the wisdom of Serge’s 200,000 franc purchase, taking sides accordingly. The painting in question is an all-white canvas with white lines layered diagonally across. While seemingly portraying a friendship crisis over a pretentious piece of art, the play deceptively digs deeper into the foibles and ego traps of intimate, longstanding relationships and how one can love and hate simultaneously. What is our identity apart from those built and perpetuated by friends and family? Can we grow outside of the boundaries and roles imposed upon us by those closest to us and will they feel betrayed when we do? Although the play at times can feel a tad unrelatable as the characters discuss Seneca, deconstructed art, and Parisian tastemakers, it nonetheless provokes both laughter and deep reflection into the nature of conflicting priorities and values among friends.

Each character assumes a friendship type that drives the dynamic. Marc is the fiercely and relentlessly brutal, in-your-face “honest” friend who bullies his companions into knowing their place in his world. Serge is the people pleasing friend who seeks validation from esoteric and superficial trends of the day. Yvan is the “middle child” friend whose personality and opinions change to prevent conflict and keep the peace. As the narrative of the play unfolds, they reveal their personal demons and, in the end, must decide if the friendship will survive the revelations.

Berdahl, Sabongui and Wojtanowicz are simply superb in their roles. They inhabit their characters in manner, speech and emotion. Wojtanowicz infuses his Yvan with a poignant sensitivity and exasperated humor that makes his character the most relatable and likeable. Sabongui is passionate and fierce in his delivery and Berdahl effectively moderates Serge’s indignation. The set design is sparse, allowing the audience to focus on the interactions and personalities of the characters. The play runs 90 minutes long without intermission, which would undoubtedly interrupt the intensity and flow of the narrative. It’s difficult to imagine with such intricately developed characters and themes that playwright Reza wrote it in six weeks while grieving the death of her father. You and your companions will still be thinking about it days later.

Art written by Yasmina Reza, with Kimberly Senior (Director), Faith Hart (Assistant Director), Brian Sidney Bembridge (Scenic Designer), and Raquel Barreto (Costume Designer). At the Guthrie Theater, 818 South 2nd Street through January 28. Some performances have post-play discussions with staff as facilitators and cast as they are able to join. Tickets range from $34 to $82. Single and group tickets (minimum requirement of 15 per group) may be purchased through the Box Office at 612.377.2224 (single), 1.877.447.8243 (toll-free), 612.225.6244 (group) or online at guthrietheater.org.