"Picasso at the Lapin Agile"

...That's "LapUNH AjhEEL" for all of y'all who never studied French. Although, I have to admit "lappin agile" is a lot easier to say.

What is easier yet is to see this show and laugh your ass off. The script is quick and witty, and the actors, obviously having fun.

It may be Christina Gardner's first mainstage show at Sam Bass, but she is far from inexperienced, and helms this one with just the right touch of absurdity, while having both feet firmly planted.

The plot is just a "what if." What if Picasso and Einstein hung out at "Cheers," circa 1904? What if they find that genius transcends the difference between "art" and "science," and that creativity rules, no matter what form it takes? What if Elvis drops in, emerging from "la toilette" in a cloud of smoke? What if the women are wise and the men appreciate it? When it comes to painting, just what does separate the sheep from the...well...sheep? And just who the hell is Charles Dabernow Schmendimann?

All these questions, and more, will be answered when you see the show.

Kudos to the entire cast: Grant Kail, Paul Arndt, Amy Lewis, Ben Weaver, Ellie Vixie, Mary Southon, James Sadek, Robert Sherman, Meredith Nelson and Stephen Hendrix. Extras to Amy Lewis and Robert Sherman, who stepped in a week before the show opened. You'd never know it, except that I just told you.

Oh, just go and see it. It runs Thursday through Sunday until February 21st. Get a sitter, because this one has some language you might not want your little ones to hear. Go here for reservations:

Sam Bass Theatre