3 Men + 1 White Canvas = Big TROUBLE

This is a wild ride of a play, ideal for making two hours fly by whether you are on the road or doing housework. Nothing is lost here from stage to audiobook, as the action resides almost exclusively in the dialogue. (Since the "Art" in question is a plain white canvas, even that need not be seen to be fully appreciated.) Reza's masterpiece of a play skewers notions of friendship, art, culture, intellectual criticism, and what constitutes true value, all in one incredibly enjoyable, wickedly funny, sharp and fast-paced interlude. Bob Balaban is perfectly cast as Serge, Brian Cox seethes as furious powder keg Mark, and Jeff Perry unexpectedly nearly runs away with the play as mild-mannered, stressed-to-the-max Ivan, whose lengthy monologue/rant about the debacle surrounding the printed invitations to his upcoming wedding nearly brings down the house.

This recording would deserve 5 stars across the board except for the incredibly bad decision by L.A. TheatreWorks to place AN INTERVIEW WITH THE TRANSLATOR in between Act One and Act Two!

11 people found this helpful

Charming play on the value of art and friendship

A very enjoyable L.A. Theatreworks prodution of the Reza/Hampton play ART. The play is really just a one-acter, but it's well worth a listen (or two) for all that. I especially enjoyed Brian Cox's measured and sly performance. One complaint--for some reason, L.A. Theatreworks broke Act 1 and Act 2 with an interview with Christopher Hampton. I enjoyed the interview, but why on earth did they put it in the MIDDLE of the production? Its placement was a poor decision, which broke of the continuity of the play, in my opinion. However, ART is a most interesting download for any lover of contemporary theatre. BTW, Reza and Hampton also collaborated on this year's Tony-winning "God of Carnage," a much inferior play to ART, which depends largely on a theatrical gimmick for its popularity. (I saw it in April 2009 on B'way.) However, if you are interested in "God of Carnage," you should certainly try ART first.

3 people found this helpful

Art Review

I read the play in high school. Hearing it helped me view it from a new perspective. The cast was well chosen.

1 person found this helpful

Brilliant exploration of friendship

Top notch cast deftly wring out every drop of wit and heartfelt sentiment from this exquisitely written play that challenges our assumptions about artistic aesthetics, friendship, what binds us to others and the expectations, needs and desires we place on our friends. Very funny, provocative and moving.

1 person found this helpful

Save Your Money - Save Your Time

If you REALLY like stories, simply because the characters are gay, you might enjoy this book. However if you expect a story, with wit, wisdom, or information, then you are wasting your time.

3 people found this helpful

Read Seneca!

I have loved this story since I first saw it performed on Broadway by Alan Alda, Victor Garber and Alfred Molina. I was fortunate to see it 12 times on Broadway. This recording brought back so many fond memories. This is a story of friendship and its ups and downs, problems, misunderstandings and forgivings.

Trying to ski down a skislope in a blizzard...

I wanted to like this. The premise was funny and interesting. But it was downhill after that. I think that each culture has its own sense of humor and depth and that this was part of the problem. The repetitiveness of the storyline became boring and seemed to go nowhere. The actors tried very hard and I thought were straining. The translation did not seem the problem. I think the translator must be brilliant. But how to save a two hour play with literally one joke. --A man buys an all white painting for $200,000. That is the joke. It is also the cause of a friendship that goes downhill. It is also the saving grace of a friendship. How to make this one liner funny to most people in the U.S. is something only Neil Simon could have done at the top of his game. Like a man on a mountain trying to ski down a skislope in a blizzard.

Hilarious Performance!

All three actors deliver a wonderful performance if this witty examination of art and friendship.

Laugh out loud look at friendship

The performances are perfect, the story a delight. I didn't expect to laugh so much and so hard.

A play about a painting that works as an audiobook

This audiobook is all about a piece of art. One man bought it and his two friends (and the purchaser himself) talk about it. And argue about it. And each other. It's a brilliant commentary on modern art, art culture and consumption. The actors are well cast, creating fully founded characters to life with flair and skill. Their monologues carry the action along without being annoying or distracting. Buy this audiobook for some sophisticated (and some unsophistcated) laughs about art and modern culture.