Picasso at the Lapin Agile
By Steve Martin

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon Pablo Picasso - 1907

RUN: November 8 - December 8, 2002

SYNOPSIS: On the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, what could he possibly have had in common with Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein? The answer lies within Center Players' Signature Series presentation of Picasso at the Lapin Agile, by Steve Martin. This sophisticated comedy places a young Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe, Au Lapin Agile, in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism. In his first comedy for the stage, Martin, the popular actor, comedian and screen writer plays fast and loose with fact, fame and fortune as these two geniuses speculate on the coming century's achievements and prospects as well as other fanciful topics with infectious dizziness. The subject matter is daring, providing lots of laughs and moments of enlightenment. It is recommended for adult audiences due to language and sexuality.

CAST (in order of appearance):

	Bob Senkewicz as "Freddie" Bob was born and raised in New Jersey and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. He continued theater and more 'practical' courses of study at Upsala College in East Orange, NJ. He lived the American Dream, getting married, buying a home and having a family, long enough and started indulging in the theater business again in 2000. He has been part of numerous productions over the last few years and appeared in the Off-Broadway original production of Tower of Babble as Sam Gordon. He has spent most of the last year appearing in a number of low budget (often no budget) Independent films, and can be seen on the New York local cable weekly TV series Rosebay, NY. He would like to thank his family for their patience, understanding and support of this most time consuming passion.
	Anthony Cipriano as "Gaston" After doing two staged readings at The Center Playhouse, Anthony Cipriano is very happy to be appearing in his first Signature Series production. Some of his favorite roles have been Blore in Ten Little Indians (The Shrewsbury Players), Cal Jarrett in Ordinary People, Detective Rough in Angel Street, and Juror No. Eight in Twelve Angry Men (all with South Street players). Most recently, Anthony developed a love affair with the camera, having played Michael Ferrara, father of the troubled Sean, in the JMA Films / Blue Parrot Entertainment independent feature film, Never Among Friends. Other credits include two short films and a series of radio commercials. A resident of Freehold, Anthony would like to thank Ken Wiesinger for his confidence, the marvelous cast and crew of Picasso at the Lapin Agile for making this latecomer feel so welcome, and especially his family for their love, patience, and support.
	Rebecca Harris Flynn as "Germaine" Rebecca is thrilled to be back at Center Players working with so many old friends. She made her Center Players debut in last year's Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Since then, she has appeared here in Any Friend of Percy D'Angelo as well as several cruise night readings. She was seen this summer as "Hermia" in Holmdel Theater Company's production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Other recent credits include Steel Magnolias ("Shelby"), The Man Who Came to Dinner ("Maggie"), Private Lives ("Sybil"), Mousetrap ("Miss Casewell"), and Murder is a Game ("BB Mink"). She has studied acting in New York City at HB Studio. Much love and thanks to an incredible cast and crew. Special thanks to Ken, David V, and to my painted maypole!
	Brian O'Halloran as "Einstein" Brian O'Halloran has performed in numerous theater and film productions. His theater credits include: Four Dogs and a Bone, Translations, Dancing at Lughnasa, Sylvia, Wait Until Dark, The Glass Menagerie, The Dresser, The Passion of Dracula, and Crimes of the Heart. As a member of NJ Rep., he starred in A World I Never Made, An Unhappy Woman, and most recently Panama. He also finished at the Tri State Actors Theater, a critically acclaimed production of Art in the role of Yvan. Mr. O'Halloran's film credits include Kevin Smith's Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. This past spring he was seen starring in the dark comedy Vulgar. He starred in the animated TV series Clerks. He's been seen on The Tonight Show in the short film The Flying Car. He can be seen next starring in the romantic comedy Drop Dead Roses, due to be released next year.
	Angela DeMatteo as "Suzanne/Countess/Secret Admirer" This is Angela's first time on the Center Players' stage. She appeared this summer in Holmdel Theatre Company's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream as Helena. Her other HTC credits include The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (Ruth), Arcadia (Chloe), and As You Like It (Audrey). She is a Muhlenberg College graduate with a BA in Theatre. Her Muhlenberg stage appearances include Galileo (Virginia), Fulfilling Koch's Postulate (Maid), and A Kind of Alaska (Deborah). Angela recently appeared in the independent films Wheels on the Bus and Solos in NYC. She feels privileged to be sharing the stage with such an inspiring and talented group of actors.
	Geoff Shields as "Sagot" Geoff returns to the Center Players' stage after appearing as "Tyler Moss" in the company's premiere presentation at the Center Playhouse, Crossing Delancey. A Colts Neck native, Geoff studied theatre at Brookdale Community College and San Francisco State University. After graduating, Geoff was a founding member of San Francisco's Reflex Action Theatre. He went on the perform with numerous companies in the Bay Area including the Magic Theatre, Berkley Repertory Theatre, Marin Theatre Company and Haight Ashbury Rep. After four years working and living in France, Geoff is happy to be back home in Monmouth County, teaching at Brookdale in the Speech and Writing departments.
	Mathew Venuto as "Picasso" A native to Freehold and raised in Monmouth County, this is Mateo's second consecutive play at the Center Playhouse. His role as the title character in The Immigrant, was his induction to the family at Center Players, and his return to the play genre. Working on independent films with 105 Productions, as well as doing some television and commercial work, he concentrated on studying comedy and improvisational technique while performing with Red Bank's Improv Comedy Jam. Mateo is a waiter at restaurant partner and Freehold's own Italian restaurant, Trattoria Portobello, and performs private handyman jobs to pay his way through school. He is working towards dual bachelors' degrees in the areas of economics and foreign languages.
	Meena S. Dimian as "Schmendiman" New to the Center Players, Meena has been acting on stage most of his life with help and lessons from his late father Sam Dimian, an accredited and esteemed actor/director working primarily in local and regional church theater. Currently residing in nearby Old Bridge, he is attending Rutgers University where he is earning his bachelors' degree in philosophy. His last performance was with the Rutgers Newark Theater Arts group as Claudius in Hamlet II, a parody about the Shakespearean classic by Sam Bobrick. Meena feels honored to be part of this group, and is anxiously looking forward to delivering a solid and undeniably hilarious performance along with the rest of the cast.
	David Doucette as "A Visitor" David is extremely happy to be returning to the Center Playhouse stage, having last appeared as Lucas in Center Players' Signature Series presentation of Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Other favorite roles have been with Monmouth Players as John in Ferris Wheel, Ben Quade in Let's Murder Marsha, The Officer in Neil Simon's Rumors, and as Dowdy in the Ocean County College production of Mr. Roberts. David is currently a student at H.B. Studio for Acting in New York City.
BEHIND THE SCENES:
	Ken Wiesinger, Director Ken has been directing, acting and producing in theaters all over the country for the past 12 years. Most recently he helmed the Tri-State Actor's Theater's production of Art in Northwestern NJ. Locally, he has directed The Laramie Project, and Raft of the Medusa at New Jersey Repertory Company, where he also staged several readings. He directed a national tour of Around the World in 80 Days for TheaterworksUSA, and the professional premieres of The Adventures of Captain Neato-Man and State of Mind. Work as an actor includes Mozart in Amadeus, Kaffee in A Few Good Men, Peter in Prelude to a Kiss, and Garry/Roger in Noises Off. Picasso at the Lapin Agile marks the beginning of his relationship with Center Players.