Review: ‘ART’ at Hub Theatre Company of Boston

Angelica Potter

OnStage Boston Critic

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BOSTON, MA - The multi-awarding winning play ‘ART’ by Yasmina Reza, having premiered on Broadway in 1998, is currently being performed by Hub Theatre Company of Boston. The play takes place in Paris in the mid-1990’s and through the eyes of three best friends who attempt to answer the question:  “What is art?”.  In the small theatre space with an audience on three sides, they invite us into their living rooms, their friendship, their beliefs and conflicting ideas as to what art is. Their varying opinions make this colorful play a highly amusing night at the theatre. 

Photo Credit: (from left to right) Bob Mussett, John Geoffrion, Victor Shopov (Photo courtesy of Hub Theatre Company)

Fantastically directed by Daniel Bourque, the perfectly cast trio was dynamic, humorous, and played off each other very well throughout the production.  John Geoffrion as Marc, Bob Mussett as Yvan, and Victor Shopov as Serge were captivating from start to finish. The audience was immediately engrossed in the play and the characters before them. The trio had wonderful chemistry and their lively banter was naturally believable and not over-rehearsed. They were comfortable in their space, in their characters, and in their story so much so that the continued laughter of the audience mere feet from them was never distracting.

At the core of this play are three friends who don’t know exactly what holds them together; yet, they decide after much fighting, that art will not tear them apart.

The lighting, designed by Christopher Bocchiaro, and sound and music composition, by Kyle Lampe, blended exceptionally well and led to seamless transitions. The effects of lighting and sound aided in the amplification of the emotional changes experienced by the characters and the ever-increasing tension between them.

This 90 minute, immensely enjoyable production of ‘ART’ is being performed through April 23rd at First Church Boston located at 66 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA.  For more information and tickets visit http://www.hubtheatreboston.org/. Tickets for all shows are set as “pay-what-you-can”; therefore there is no reason not to go see this production!

For more of my reviews and theatrical thoughts check out: http://intheatresome1isalwayswatching.blogspot.com/