Art

 Art
The Music Box
November 19, 2025

Photo courtesy of Art

The Broadway revival of Yasmina Reza’s Art is stunning.  Director Scott Ellis explores every moment of Christopher Hampton’s translation, giving each member of this stellar cast the chance to dive deeply into their character’s sense of identity in their friendship, and genuinely respond to their wounded egos and hurt feelings.  The rhythm and timing are impeccable.  The play lands with a beautiful balance of satisfaction and apprehension.

Serge (played by Neil Patick Harris) buys a work of modern art, a painting, four ft. by five ft., all white, for $300,000.  When his friend, Marc (played by Bobby Cannavale) sees it, he calls it a “piece of shit.”  Marc is surprised at Serge’s response to his comment, so he seeks out Yvan (played by James Corden) for corroboration on his assessment.  When Yvan sees the painting, he hides his true feelings and becomes the peacekeeper between Marc and Serge.  Yvan has his hands full with his upcoming wedding plans.  The stress of that makes it difficult for him to balance Marc and Serg’s needs and resolve their dispute.  The three friends voice unspoken resentment that has built up over twenty-five years.  Perhaps they have gone too far.

James Corden, Bobby Cannavale, & Neil Patrick Harris
Photo courtesy of Art

The three roles are perfectly cast.  Bobby Cannavale plays Marc as the alpha male.  He does not hold back speaking his mind when Serge spends that high an amount of money on something he sees as worthless.  Serge expects his best friend to share in the joy of his purchase.  Neil Patrick Harris portrays Serge’s disappointment and hurt with arrogance and defensiveness.  This pushes Marc’s buttons even more, no matter how hard he tries to hold his tongue.  The pride in these characters is high, and these two skilled actors shade this antagonistic battle in every way imaginable. 

Neil Patrick Harris & James Corden
Photo courtesy of Art

James Corden is delightful as Yvan, delivering hearty laughs, often at his own expense.  When he reaches the end of his rope in placating his two best friends, Yvan must step up.  He speaks from his authentic self, surprising all three of them.  James Corden gets laughs even in that moment, filling it with sincerity and energy.

Art received a lot of attention when it originally opened on Broadway in 1998.  The premise of purchasing a questionable work of art for such an exorbitant price was highly controversial at the time.  They raised the price paid for the artwork from that production to make it relevant in today’s economy.  Either way, it is the examination of the roles and expectations in a long-term friendship that makes this play timeless. 

Art is playing at The Music Box through December 21.  It is a riveting revival. 

Domenick Danza

The Father

The Father

Manhattan Theatre Club

The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

March 25, 2016

Photo courtesy of Manhttan Theatre Club

The Father is a powerful piece of theatre presently in previews at the Manhattan Theatre Club.  This is not to be confused with the well-known August Strindberg classic.  This play is a new translation by Christopher Hampton of the Moliere Award winning play (France’s most prestigious honor for a new work of theatre) by Florian Zeller.  Directed by Doug Hughes and starring Frank Langella, this play chronicles the perceptions and tragic crumbling of a man as he enters into the final chapter of a once productive life.

The play opens with Anne (played by Kathryn Erbe) talking with her eighty year old father, Andre (played by Frank Langella) about a fight he had with his caregiver.  It is evident by the tone of the discussion that he gets disoriented and is prone to outbursts.  His confusion is understood as a different actor (Kathleen McNenny) plays Anne in the next scene and the dialogue contradicts the facts set up in the first scene.  When Kathryn Erbe returns as Anne in scene three, it becomes clear that the play is going to unfold from Andre’s perplexed point of view.  His memory lapses and bewilderment make total sense when scenes play out with opposing information, flashing lights, different actors playing the same roles, and furniture disappearing.

Frank Langella & Kathryn Erbe
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Frank Langella is brilliant!  The strength of his presence and stature makes you believe him when he says he does not need anyone to help him.  His character is charming and gregarious.  He skillfully transitions from vigor into helplessness.  Watching him weaken as scenes progress is moving and tragic.  You can feel how lost he is in his own mind.  The relationship created between him and Ms. Erbe is tender and real.  They deeply rely on one another.  Doug Hughes direction brought them to the place where they boldly deliver honest and grounded performances.  Charles Borland, Kathleen McNenny, Hannah Cabell, and Brian Avers also deliver strong performances.

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

This performance by Frank Langella is not to be missed.  The script is captivating and uniquely structured.  The Father opens on April 14 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre and runs through June 12.

Domenick Danza