Rating: 
Summary: Intellectual and charming
Review: Steve Martin was never in the Naked Gun movies. You are thinking of a far less skilled actor and comedian, Leslie Neilson. If I were Steve, I'd be offended.
Rating:
Summary: "Picasso" is a witty look at the turn of the century.
Review: Steve Martin's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" is a well- constructed and amusing read. Seeing it performed is ideal, but reading it is also rewarding. The use of subtle humor and irony by Martin provides the reader with a quick and enjoyable read. With all of the recent talk about the entrance into the 21st century, the play's references to the turning of the 20th are especially funny. I recommend this play highly to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: "Picasso" is a witty look at the turn of the century.
Review: Steve Martin's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" is a well- constructed and amusing read. Seeing it performed is ideal, but reading it is also rewarding. The use of subtle humor and irony by Martin provides the reader with a quick and enjoyable read. With all of the recent talk about the entrance into the 21st century, the play's references to the turning of the 20th are especially funny. I recommend this play highly to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Picasso's worth the purchase price
Review: Steve Martin's ability to create memorable characters is astounding. He's done it from the start since the days of his stage act, through his appearances on Saturday Night Live, his movie career, and now on stage. Picasso at the Lapin Agile is as excellent as it is not because of the plot, the action, or the dialogue, but because of the memorable characters. This is Martin at his witty best, an enjoyable read that's surely equally enjoyable staged (I've yet to have that pleasure).And then there's The Zig-Zag Woman, Patter for the Floating Lady, and Wasp. No, there's not a stark contrast here -- there are certainly some memorable characters in these pieces. But it's almost like we've been given a glance into early drafts, something Martin planned to make more of in the future that never quite realized their potential. They're cute little throwaway one-acts, that never would've made their way into a book on their own. Thankfully, Picasso at the Lapin Agile is worth the purchase price alone, so you can view these other pices simply as bonus material.
Rating:
Summary: So-So
Review: The Picasso play is pretty good, and the Zig Zag Lady isn't bad either, they have their moments. However if you didn't get a real charge out of Cruel Shoes and Pure Drivel you probably won't like these plays at all. Most of them are emotional and melodramatic, almost depressing. Not funny. I'll bet they're different on stage, but as a book this is his worste, which is still pretty good.
Rating:
Summary: So Picasso and Einstein go into a bar....
Review: The play isn't nearly as "heady" as it sounds, however it is just as intelligent. It isn't necessary to have read Einstein's theories, nor is an appreciation of Picasso required. It certainly helps, but if you are huge fans of either men, you will probably be disappointed in that here they are representational of something else. Art and Science. The represent the 20th Century and a "visitor" from the future, which seems to be pure sight-gag absurdity, comes to remind us that sometimes art and science take a back seat to legend. As you read you discover at first that it seems Mr. Martin has diverted to some pseudo-intellectual babble with some bathroom humor thrown in. However upon reading it again, and subsequently being cast in a production, I discovered exactly the opposite. He has instead turned his "wild and crazy guy" routine into something profound. Not because it answers the questions it raises, but instead he is much smarter. He chooses not to answer them at all. Leaving the audience to ponder the nature and the purpose of art, science, destiny, love, relationships, men, women, Pop Culture, and the 20th Century. And what better way to ponder it than with some funny jokes rather than a boring lecture. The other plays in this collection are equally fascinating, and poignant. Mr. Martin knows his stuff. He tells it like it is with relationships, between men and women. Sometimes symbolically (Zig-Zag Woman) and sometimes he hits you right in the face when you aren't looking (WASP). Smart, funny, and sexy. Honest.
Rating:
Summary: So Picasso and Einstein go into a bar....
Review: The play isn't nearly as "heady" as it sounds, however it is just as intelligent. It isn't necessary to have read Einstein's theories, nor is an appreciation of Picasso required. It certainly helps, but if you are huge fans of either men, you will probably be disappointed in that here they are representational of something else. Art and Science. The represent the 20th Century and a "visitor" from the future, which seems to be pure sight-gag absurdity, comes to remind us that sometimes art and science take a back seat to legend. As you read you discover at first that it seems Mr. Martin has diverted to some pseudo-intellectual babble with some bathroom humor thrown in. However upon reading it again, and subsequently being cast in a production, I discovered exactly the opposite. He has instead turned his "wild and crazy guy" routine into something profound. Not because it answers the questions it raises, but instead he is much smarter. He chooses not to answer them at all. Leaving the audience to ponder the nature and the purpose of art, science, destiny, love, relationships, men, women, Pop Culture, and the 20th Century. And what better way to ponder it than with some funny jokes rather than a boring lecture. The other plays in this collection are equally fascinating, and poignant. Mr. Martin knows his stuff. He tells it like it is with relationships, between men and women. Sometimes symbolically (Zig-Zag Woman) and sometimes he hits you right in the face when you aren't looking (WASP). Smart, funny, and sexy. Honest.
Rating:
Summary: An Awesome, exciting, moving tour-de-fource
Review: This book of plays takes the reader through 4 at times hilarious, and at times marvelous worlds. First: Picasso: This play is the true gem in the collection, as well as the highlight. If you enjoy the battle and marriage of science and art, this play is it. Controversial Views of the future truly play a big role. Every part of this play is genius (read the Bar Rouge conversation between Einstien and Freddy). Zig Zag Woman: A delightfully strange play about 3 men and 1 women, find out which man is the right one from her advice. Patter for the floating lady: Magic as a metaphor, magic as metaphor for life. Listen to what Martin is saying in this really short one. WASP: Dream worlds and Dysfunctional Families. Each family member has their own dreamworld. This one can be funny and at some times very frightening.
Rating: 
Summary: Weak
Review: This play epitemizes the term "sophomoric." I mean, you get a play with Picasso and Einstein in it, it must be important and brilliant, right? But the ideas are half-baked, and the gags not nearly as good as a good sit-com. Martin should stick to movie acting and go back to stand up.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Comedy/Drama
Review: This was one of those things that made me realize that Steve Martin is not just a comedian... Granted, the title play is for the most part a comedy, and some of the other plays are like throwbacks to Cruel Shoes, there are some really deep thoughts and some really touching moments. Patter for the Floating Lady is a real and heartwrenching story of relationships, and Picasso is insight into how we see the world, and the Yin and Yang of science and art. I love anything that reveals to people that art and science are not diametrically opposed.
|
