Set in October, 1904, comedian Steve Martin’s absurd comedy of historical fiction has Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso meeting in a bar called the Lapin Agile (French: "Nimble Rabbit") in Montmartre, Paris. Both men are on the verge of disclosing amazing ideas: Einstein will publish his special theory of relativity in 1905, and Picasso will paint Les Demoiselles d'Avignon in 1907. The two celebrities of science and art spar for their fields, surrounded by a cast of supporting characters from the turn of the century and beyond. The anachronistic, self-referential, and self-aware nature of this short one-act enraptures audiences into thinking about the role both science and art play in our lives, the men (and women) who inspire genius, and the philosophies that shape our world over the modern centuries.
(No performance on Christmas Day.)
Albert Einstein (Male, 25-35): A brilliant patent clerk on the verge of publishing his theory of relativity. He embodies the scientific perspective in the play, engaging in philosophical discussions with Picasso about the value of their respective field.
Pablo Picasso (Male, 25-35): A charismatic, arrogant young artist representing the world of art, just discovering Cubism. He is depicted as passionate and creative, on the verge of creating his groundbreaking work, "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon." His interactions with Einstein explore the nature of genius and creativity.
Freddy (Male, 30’s-50’s): The owner and bartender of the Lapin Agile. He is portrayed as simpleminded yet occasionally insightful, often breaking the fourth wall to engage with the audience. Freddy represents the everyday man amidst the genius of Picasso and Einstein.
Germaine (Female, 30’s-50’s): Freddy's mistress and a waitress at the bar. She is characterized as confident and assertive, providing a counterbalance to the male characters' discussions.
Sagot (Male or Female, 30’s-40’s):: Picasso's cynical, business-minded art dealer.
Suzanne (Female, 20’s-30’s): A young woman infatuated with Picasso.
The Countess (Female, 30’s-40’s): An extremely intelligent and attractive woman, with whom Einstein is infatuated. She thinks like he does, being the one person to really understand him in the play.
Gaston (Male, 40’s-50’s): An elderly, prostate-troubled French philosopher who provides comedic interludes. He often focuses on mundane topics, such as sex and drinking, providing humor and contrast to the intellectual discussions of Picasso and Einstein.
Charles Dabernow Schmendiman (Male, 30’s-40’s): An aspiring inventor who believes he is a genius but lacks true understanding. He serves as a comedic foil to Picasso and Einstein, representing commercialism and the misguided pursuit of fame.
The Mysterious Visitor (Male, 20’s-40’s): A mysterious, charismatic, dark-haired figure from the future (Elvis Presley) who appears to provide anachronistic pop-culture wisdom. He adds a layer of absurdity and represents the idea that genius can transcend time and academic understanding.