I just spent the weekend with a strange man and I’m just not sure what to think of the whole experience. He’s famous, a bit of an egomaniac, eccentric, quick to anger yet warm – when he wants to be. He is funny, truly inspiring and very passionate. I don’t know about the others who were with us but frankly, I’m spent!
Now before you relegate me to floozidom or pat me on the back with an ‘ata girl, let me explain. I and a theater full of people just experienced “A Weekend with Pablo Picasso.” Of course two days’ worth of action happened in less than two hours’ time, as only storytelling can do.
Picasso is channeled through Herbert Siguenza, who wrote the play, stars in it (all by himself) and actually paints right there on stage, on a set that represents Picasso’s cluttered, save everything, studio in the south of France. The problem with the play is what is also so good about it.
There are so many words of wisdom Picasso (Siguenza) wants to impart upon us that nearly every line is a message worth paying attention to and learning from. I found myself thinking “oh, that was good, I’ve got to remember that one,” “that’s so true,” “well-said!” again and again. Yet, the mass of the nuggets of wisdom didn’t lose their impact as the show went on. Instead, they were, in many cases, inspirational concepts but also, as they were intended to be, insight into the mind of one of the most important artists of our time.
At first, Siguenza’s portrayal seems a bit contrived but then he hooks you and you lose yourself in his portrayal. As abrasive and flighty as he can be, especially when we, the audience, first appear to him as an intrusion at a time when he has only two days to finish six commissioned pieces, Picasso interacts with the audience, letting us see all of his many sides.
While some people in the lobby afterword were bemoaning the short length of the play, I had to disagree. I’d rather experience a shorter piece that is full and complete in its hour and a half than two and a half hours of meandering fluff.
After his bow, Siguenza steps out of his Picasso persona to thank the audience, offer a few surprises and to also encourage young people to come for what they can learn (kids ages 14 and older can come). With his message about pursuing a life of conviction and creating an existence that brings you joy, that is time well spent.
“ A Weekend with Pablo Picasso” runs through April 28, playing at the Ricketson Theatre.
Read this interesting interview with actor Herbert Siguenza from a blog on the Denver Center site:
http://denvercenterblog.tumblr.com/post/45994761128/pablopicasso
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