ARID ROSE OPENS WITH A FINE PRODUCTION OF "ART"
Don't let Arid Rose Theater's world premiere debut production of "Art" become like that unheard tree in the forest. You know, the tree that fell without anyone hearing it.

We don't want people to be asking "If a company of actors gives a fine performance but nobody sees it, did the performance really exist?"

The warning is especially pertinent because that is exactly the kind of logic that fills "Art," a brilliantly written exposition by French woman Yasmina Reza on the nature of art in general and abstract painting in particular. She begins with Serge (Charles D. Prokopp) proudly bringing  home a 3-foot by 4-foot painting that looks for all the world like a plain white canvas. For this he has paid 200,000 francs.

Serge insists there are subtle colors and designs in the painting that radiate resonance when the light is just right. Serge's buddy Marc (Jon T. Benda) doubles up with insulting laughter, insisting that Serge stupidly bought a plain white canvas. Serge snootily replies Marc is too stupid to understand the principles of art involved in painting this brilliantly conceived work of white-on-white.

The rest of this 90-minute one-act becomes a spirited debate among Serge the modernist, Marc the classicist and Yvan (Sean Zackson, who gives a compelling performance as the guy who doesn't care that much about any art. He just wants to be on the winning side).

This production is absolutely worth seeing. Founding artistic director John Gunn has his cast of three men focus on the rhythm of the language, getting laughs out of delightful word and logic games. Working in somewhat ordinary surroundings they give "Art" a solid reading that makes its points with telling sincerity.

Reza's play also proves its indestructible nature, for this new theater company is performing in a vast warehouse space with a towering ceiling and very little lighting. The plain-spoken stage setting is open and direct. There are no shifts in atmosphere.

It looks like what it is, three guys in a bare-bones apartment sitting around talking. Their conversation sparkles with energy and intelligence, the way middle-aged bachelors with fine educations like to talk. This attitude becomes important toward the end when Marc and Serge try to convince Yvan his impending marriage is a bad idea.

Does the blank canvas have a greater metaphorical meaning? For some audience members the answer will be "Yes!"

Standing in the parking lot after the first Sunday afternoon performance, one distinguished couple with European accents commented they had seen "Art" in London and New York, and loved this production just as much as those.

Arid Rose is in the process of turning an empty warehouse on Grant Road west of I-10 into a performance space that feels like a work of art itself. New color-coordinated walls cleverly divide the space into a lobby, a theater and an airy gallery that will be used to display Gunn's own works of art. Their vision also includes using the gallery for cabaret-type performances at some point in the future.

The address is 1859 W. Grant Road, but can be difficult to find. Look for the driveway to the theater just east of  an Arby's restaurant on the south side of  West Grant Road. Follow the driveway around the building to the clearly marked theater entrance, Parking is plentiful.

"Art" by Yasmina Reza continues in performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, to Nov. 8. All tickets are $21. For details and reservations, 982-6812.

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