Yasmina Reza’s Tony-Award-Winning Play “Art” at Cape May Stage



Yasmina Reza’s play “Art” is a thought-provoking and hilarious exploration of the complexities of friendships, the subjective nature of art, and the impact of individual perspectives on relationships. Premiering in Paris in 1994, “Art” quickly became a worldwide sensation, translated into and produced in 30 languages, receiving numerous awards, including the prestigious Tony Award for Best Play in 1998.

The production of “Art” at Cape May Stage stars Christopher Dolman, Scott Greer and Timothy J. Stickney, and runs through Aug. 27. Cape May Stage is an artistic haven that fosters creativity, and community engagement and enriches lives. With its dedication to artistic excellence and historic charm, it remains an enchanting destination for theater lovers and a cultural resource for the Cape May region.

Many of us have experienced when we get to a certain point in life, we might find a few of our friends become very successful, others not so much. How do we deal with that and remain friends? People grow, people change, and what we thought were “bedrock” values can shift. This is one of the central themes of “Art.”

The play revolves around the friendship of three middle-aged men — Serge, Marc and Yvan — who have known each other for years. The central conflict emerges when Serge, an affluent dermatologist, purchases an expensive piece of modern art. The purchase baffles his friend Marc, a no-nonsense aeronautical engineer with more conservative tastes, who has difficulty comprehending the meaning or value behind abstract artwork.

“Comedy is a great mirror,” says director Roy Steinberg. “Comic characters are like us, but we see our own flaws in them. Yet we love them and respect them. I think that’s what the world needs right now — respect and love — even with people with whom we don’t agree. We need to live our lives and celebrate our lives.

“The play is very funny in the way that an episode of Seinfeld is funny – something seemingly insignificant (like soup) has enormous consequences for the friends. In this play, in a very humorous way, we really explore what it means to be a friend when people are changing.

“One of the things that distinguishes Cape May Stage is the level of artistry. Tony-award winners, Barrymore award winners, designers, we get amazing people here. As a director, it’s my job to create a space where it’s OK to try things and not be judged. The atmosphere should be one of fun and creativity. In the rehearsal process, we discover all these clues in the script. When a character says, ‘who do you think you’re talking to,’ it isn’t just a challenge like ‘you’re full of it,’ it can be a real question. Those are the kinds of things we discover in the process.”

Chris Dolman (Marc), Timothy D. Stickney (Serge) and Scott Greer (Yvan) in rehearsal for “Art.”

Chris Dolman plays Marc. “I have a long history with this play. I’ve acted in and directed it. As an actor, I had to forgo the big picture things and I had to buy into and believe the things the character does and fights for. I’m learning and seeing the whole thing from a new perspective.

“I love modern art, you know, as a person, but I also see the extremes of it. You can see modern art that you really love and then some extreme examples where you might think to yourself, ‘this might be a bit pretentious,’ certainly from my character’s point of view. Sometimes you just don’t ‘get it’ – you don’t see the artistry that some others do. Part of the play is, if you and I believe the same thing, and that thing changes, does that put our friendship in jeopardy? What happens when someone you care about starts to move in another direction away from you? Do you feel marginalized or abandoned in some way? That’s the idea of it, and this piece of art in the play is the catalyst that challenges a particular idea of friendship. The play approaches it with great humor. It is very funny, but it also gets into something real. It’s one of the great plays of the last 25 years. I think people will enjoy it.”

Located in the historic coastal town of Cape May, New Jersey, Cape May Stage is a gem among regional theaters. Established in 1988 by a group of passionate theater enthusiasts, the goal was to showcase a diverse range of thought-provoking plays. They found their home in the Robert Shackleton Playhouse, a historic building named after one of the town’s first theater producers. With its rich history, dedication to artistic excellence, and idyllic location, this organization has been captivating audiences and contributing to the cultural fabric of the community for decades.

The company is committed to showcasing diverse voices and perspectives, promoting inclusion and a deeper understanding of the human experience through the art of theater. From seasoned actors to emerging talents, Cape May Stage attracts an impressive pool of performers, directors and playwrights. This blend of experience and innovation results in unforgettable performances that leave a lasting impact on the audience.