Art

Reza's award-winning play serves up crisp dialogue and pointed observations as three old friends trade barbs, philosophies, and allegiances--all while staring at a $100,000 white painting rendered on a white canvas. All three actors--Bob Balaban, Brian Cox, and Jeff Perry--have performed this work on stage. They bring to the audio production their fine-tuned comic timing and well-dramatized emotions, especially the characters' concern for a friend in crisis. With these vocal performances, ART retains the urbane Continentalism of the original French production. The play is sophisticated, complicated, and very funny. B.P. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

January 25, 2010
Accomplished actors star in this slick, highly entertaining full production of Reza’s award-winning play. Three old friends—Serge (Balaban), Marc (Cox), and Yvan (Perry)—find themselves at odds when Serge purchases an exorbitantly expensive all-white painting. Drudging up old resentments, critiquing the white canvas and their personal relationships, and finally speaking to each other with complete candor, the three friends battle it out while exploring the value and meaning of art and friendship. The entire cast delivers stellar performances, with Cox offering a particularly memorable turn as the petulant Marc in a smart, stylish audiobook that’s a quick listen to boot.