ART - Broadway

The play ART involves a very expensive white painting.  Yet, is it truly white?  This is the question that propels the revival of Yasmina Reza’s often funny but, in the end, somewhat disappointing play.  The show explores issues of modern art and, most importantly, the very nature of friendship.

Serge (Neil Patrick Harris), a well-heeled dermatologist who fancies himself as an art collector, has just purchased a $300K “white painting” by an important modern artist.  His best friend, Marc (Bobby Cannavale), an opinionated and pompous aeronautical engineer, is horrified because he believes it is a huge waste of money.  But he also sees it as a direct attack on their relationship and his personal integrity.  Enter their mutual friend Yvan (James Corden), a simple man with his own baggage, who attempts to appease Serge and Marc, but just makes matters worse.

As the show progresses, all three protagonists slowly, and quite harshly, peel back the layers of their relationship, burrowing down to the very core of their friendship.  It isn’t pretty. 

The play is framed by the interactions on stage, but also asides to the audience.  This theatrical device, used judiciously, provides exposition and provokes a good share of laughs.  All three actors work as a well-tuned ensemble, their bold personalities punctuating their performances.

Reza’s script, like her other Tony Award-winning work, God of Carnage, can be convulsively funny.  The action takes place, primarily, in the almost antiseptic living room, crafted by Scenic Designer David Rockwell, of Serge’s apartment.  Director Scott Ellis astutely allows these three veteran stage performers to stretch their comedic muscles.  He utilizes pauses and facial expressions to tease out the humor in the show.  Bobby Cannavale’s evil laugh always had me in stitches.  Conversely, when the opportunity presents itself, Ellis wisely goes for a rapid-fire delivery of the dialogue as witnessed by James Corden’s breathless meltdown monologue.

My main issue with ART is as it hurdles to its conclusion, there seems to be no room for the three friends to maneuver around the quagmire they have created for themselves.  The banter devolves to such a level of ruthlessness and cruelty that there is no turning back.  However, in the end, Reza allows for each character to save face.  Good for them, but for me, it lacks credibility.  

ART, playing at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway through December 21, 2025.