Players Workshop Theater 
Art 
Fri–Sat, Mar 6–7, 8pm
Sun, Mar 8, 5pm
Wed–Sat, Mar 11–14, 8pm
Sun, Mar 15, 5pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Reloj 50A
150 pesos 

Art and friendship…deceptively simple
By Geoff Rose

A conversation with Taylor Korobow, the director of Art, Players Workshop’s current production. Geoff Rose: Art has been presented on stage in 35 countries, so obviously it has wide appeal. Why do you think so many people are taken with this play?

Taylor Korobow: Because art and friendship are universal, two vital ingredients of a rich life. But that does not mean either is easy or uncomplicated. In Art, playwright Yasmina Reza does a beautiful job of exploring both, presenting the intricacies of each in a lighthearted yet poignant manner. Art is a deceptively simple play.

GR: What do you mean, deceptively simple?

TK: Well, Art is about three friends and one painting. A simple equation. It takes place within a simple set—dictated by the playwright—that changes very slightly as the play moves from one character’s flat to another’s. So it looks simple. What’s deceptive about that simplicity, though, is the complex dynamic that takes place between the three characters brought on by one buying this very controversial piece of contemporary art.

GR: Art is a tough subject to dissect, there’s nothing quite as subjective. Does the play take sides about modern art? That’s dangerous territory.

TK: In a way it takes all sides. It begs the question: Who can know if a piece of art is truly “good”? Like you said, it’s a very subjective thing. It’s very interesting to me how the audience tends to take sides in this play. One audience member might think one thing about this character buying this painting and the person sitting next to him might be thinking the exact opposite.

GR: The director’s job, as I understand it, is to present his or her vision of the play. Did you have to take sides when directing this play?

TK: My goal was to present each character and each character’s point of view as valid and compelling. That way the audience can choose whose side they want to be on; it’s not dictated to them. I know I will have done my job if major disagreements take place in the restaurants of San Miguel where theatergoers are discussing what they just saw.

Art continues through March 15, with performances Wednesday–Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 5pm. Tickets can be bought 10:30am–1:30pm in the Biblioteca patio and in the theater office in the afternoon.