Sunday, October 25, 2015

Historical Sketch; Charles Busch; Steve Martin: Picasso At the Lapin Agile

This morning during period one, please complete your historical sketch exercise. You will need this draft for upcoming play projects. Turn in your draft when you finish today. If you don't finish for some reason, please turn in your draft (counted as late) in the next few days.

If you finish earlier than 2nd period, please spend your time working on your essay test (due Wednesday) for Charles Busch and read and take notes about our next playwright. See homework below.

Steve Martin: Picasso At the Lapin Agile


Les Demoiselles d'Avignon by Pablo Picasso

Today, before 2nd period, please read a little about our next author/playwright.


The contemporary writer, actor, producer, performer, comedian Steve Martin wrote the play Picasso At the Lapin Agile in 1993. His plays The Zig Zag WomanPatter for the Floating Lady, Wasp were to follow. His musical Bright Star opened in San Diego. He co-wrote many of his comic films, written fiction and novels, wrote his own stand-up comedy routine, and is a regular contributor to The New Yorker magazine.  Check here for an interview with Steve Martin.

Picasso At the Lapin Agile takes two very well known modernists (the scientist/genius Einstein and the artist famous for creating cubism, Pablo Picasso) and drops them in a Parisian bar in Montmartre, the Bohemian-artsy-avant-garde neighborhood of Paris. His historical play reminds us that writing history can be playful, fun, and, to a large extent, completely made-up.

Charleston Stage Advertisement (Picasso At the Lapin Agile sample production)

Some of Steve Martin's films:


You should be familiar with two historical figures used in the play:
Picasso & Einstein (click on their links for info)

READING: As we read the play, notice how the author introduces characters, situations, complications, and how he handles dramatic and comedic situations while presenting a theme and a reason for people to pay to see a play. His use of dialogue is snappy and effective and we can learn a lot about contemporary play writing by reading this play. So let's go to it!

HOMEWORK: Please complete your Charles Busch take-home essay test. It is due next class. Bring your scripts and books back with you to our next class. We will finish reading Picasso At the Lapin Agile then.

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