Picasso at the Lapin Agile was first presented in February of 2004 at the Stage Left Cafe' in Woodstock, Illinois by Gemini Players. It was such a success, Gemini Players took the show on the road to Stoughton, Wisconsin and the historic Stoughton Opera House. This would be Marco Woods' first production and the first of many with Gemini Players.
Picasso at the Lapin Agile is a play written by Steve Martin in 1993. It features Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, who meet at a bar called the Lapin Agile (Nimble Rabbit) in Montmartre, Paris. It is set on October 8, 1904 and both men are on the verge of an amazing idea (Einstein will publish "The Special Theory of Relativity" in 1905 and Picasso will paint Les Demoiselles D’Avignon in 1907) when they find themselves at the Lapin Agile, where they have a lengthy debate about the value of genius and talent while interacting with a host of other characters.
Each character in Lapin Agile performs a specific function. For example, Schmendimann, an inventor, believes he is a genius but really knows very little, while, Gaston, an amicable old Frenchman with prostate problems, is hesitant to listen to or believe anything that does not revolve around sex or drinking.
Picasso and Einstein eventually realize that their abilities are equally valuable. However, once they have their moment of insight, "The Visitor," an unidentified man from the future, crashes the party. The Visitor is not identified directly, although there is little question but that he is Elvis Presley, easily identified by his blue suede shoes, among other things. Elvis adds a third dimension to Picasso and Einstein's debate, representing the idea that genius is not always the product of academic or philosophical understanding, or as Gaston refers to it, "Brains."
The movie "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" is currently in production.
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