Open Sky Presents ART by Yasmina Reza

Participants in the Open Sky program at the NH State Prison for Men just wrapped up the program's second production, ART by Yasmina Reza. In addition to several performances for offered to their fellow residents, a special Commissioner's Performance was presented for a small group of supporters and stakeholders. All performances took place in the prison gym and featured talkback sessions with the cast.  

The winner of both a 1998 Tony and a 1996 Olivier Award, the production was a great success and, once again, garnered great excitement and interest around the Open Sky process.

Synopsis of ART
How much would you pay for a white painting? Would it matter who the painter was? Would it be art? One of Marc’s best friends, Serge, has just bought a very expensive painting. It’s about five feet by four, all white with white diagonal lines. To Marc, the painting is a joke, but Serge insists Marc doesn’t have the proper standard to judge the work. Another friend, Ivan, though burdened by his own problems, allows himself to be pulled into this disagreement. Eager to please, Ivan tells Serge he likes the painting. Lines are drawn and these old friends square off over the canvas, using it as an excuse to relentlessly batter one another over various failures. As their arguments become less theoretical and more personal, they border on destroying their friendships. At the breaking point, Serge hands Marc a felt tip pen and dares him: “Go on.” This is where the friendship is finally tested, and the aftermath of action, and its reaction, affirms the power of those bonds.