Chicago Tribune
- Recommended
"...In Reza's view, the secret sauce is certainly not having the right opinion about a piece of art. "Nothing great or beautiful in this world has ever been born of rational argument," Yvan concludes in his final aside to the audience. Without succumbing to a sappy ending, Reza makes a strong case for valuing relationships over intellectual homogeneity - an outlook that can feel either na?ve or hopeful in polarizing times. It all depends on how you look at the canvas."
Around The Town Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...I am sure that Remy Bumppo would love to have a larger venue for their productions. I know that based on what I witnessed tonight, as nice as Theater Wit is, it's 99 seats limit the number of audience members who would love to see their amazing production of Yasmina Reza's "Art". If you are one to block out the craziness in the world and escape for about 90 minutes, there is nothing like this solid production that deals with "friendship"."
Chicago Theatre Review
- Highly Recommended
"...By the conclusion, bitter words are retracted, friendships are rebuilt, truths are spoken and we seem to be back to the way things were in the beginning. But are we? This is a truly exceptional production of a multifaceted play. Inhabited by three very realistic characters, there?s much to munch on in Yasmina Reza?s script. The intelligent, deeply discerning dialogue is filled with color and texture and offers more scholarly stimulation than most plays, especially of this length. But through all the arguments, personal jabs and down-and-out brawling, peace is eventually restored. After, as The Divine Miss M sings, ?You Gotta Have Friends.?"
Buzz Center Stage
- Highly Recommended
"...A fool and their money are soon parted as the old expression goes, but what do you do when that fool is your best friend? Yasmina Reza's 1996 Tony Award winning play 'Art' explores the balance of opinion, influence and friendship. Under Marti Lyons' direction, Remy Bumppo's revival is a madcap drawing room comedy that might even make you question your own sense of taste."
The Fourth Walsh
- Highly Recommended
"...Reza/Hampton penned razor-sharp dialogue in this friendship deconstruction. Under the masterful direction of Marti Lyons, life unfolds onstage. The conversations feel organic. The relationships seem real. And this ideal ensemble, Justin Albinder (Marc), Chad Bay (Serge) and Eduardo Curley (Yvan), engage in a very humanistic way. A pretentious Bay reveals his new painting. A contentious Albinder comes in hot. And a hilarious Curley attempts to straddle between the personalities and emotions. The dynamics are legit. These guys are working out their problems in real time."
Third Coast Review
- Highly Recommended
"...Art is partly a play about art and the ways different people react to it. But it?s really a play about friendship and how what seem like small things can suddenly tear apart a solid relationship. Snarky comments made carelessly bring up past opinions and memories and make the estrangement worse. Serge insults Yvan?s painting. Serge and Marc argue about deconstruction. Serge tells Marc what he really thinks about his wife Paula, thus adding one more rupture to what has become a fragile friendship. Playwright Reza?s resolution is brilliant."
Chicago Theater and Arts
- Highly Recommended
"...Long term friendships can be complicated and messy. Honesty can be dangerous and revealing. Are you willing to take a chance? What are your motivations? Can your friendship survive?"
Allie and the After Party
- Recommended
"...Exploring the dynamic of three old friends, Art shows us how each has a different relationship with each other and how they have changed over the years. Centered around an argument about whether a piece of artwork is good or not, the three actors each create their character's own personality quirks that make us believe they could be real friends before us."
NewCity Chicago
- Somewhat Recommended
"...There are definitely things to enjoy here. All the technical aspects of the production are well-done, including costume designer Kristy Leigh Hall?s stylish contemporary outfits, which, combined with Nichols? set, evoke a milieu of fashionable affluence unadorned by discerning taste or distinct personality. Lighting designer Liz Gomez and sound designer Matthew Chapman score with their periodic, audibly announced blackouts, featuring spotlighted characters delivering quick asides or expository monologues."
