What: Attic Theatre presents “Artifice”
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 1 and 2; 2 p.m. Aug. 3 and 4; 7 p.m. Aug. 7, 8 and 9; and 2 p.m. Aug. 10.
Where: UW Oshkosh, Fox Cities Communication Arts Center, 1478 Midway Road, Menasha.
Admission: All tickets are $22 at attictheatreinc.com.
Background: Struggling artist Payne Showers finally gets his “big break,” and then he dies. His passing greatly inflates the value of his paintings, and his estranged wife, Maggie, hopes to avoid bankruptcy by selling his work at a private auction for wealthy and influential guests. The resulting publicity will also help Maggie’s art gallery. At this point the only thing that could go wrong is if Payne Showers were to walk through the door. And then Payne Showers walks through the door… Artifice is playwright Anne Flanagan’s farcical comedy that looks at what defines celebrity and success in the world of fine art and is an affectionate tribute to loyalty and love.
What they’re saying: “Maggie LaRue could be considered ‘the voice of reason’ within a chaotic group of characters who have little to none of their own,” said Allie Klinker, playing Maggie La Rue. “Although we find her choices become increasingly questionable as she attempts to do all she can to keep the evening, her financial and personal reputation from unraveling.
“Playing in a comedy has a whole other set of rules and preparations. Precise timing of line delivery, pauses and physical movement are essential to bringing a farce to its full potential of hilariousness.”
Take-home message: “‘Artifice’ could be a love story. It could also be an always-tell-the-truth story. The story could also focus on integrity in knowing what you want in life,” said director Kristofer Holly. “You can interpret greed, silliness, envy, understanding, confusion, intelligence, stress, and so much more. All these little abstract devices we experience in everyday life are rolled into a single viewing experience you’ll recognize from different angles in the story.
“Even though ‘artifice’ means ‘cunning device(s) used to trick or deceive others,’ and that definition becomes the main scheme halfway through the first act, our intent is to use that definition to deceive less and entertain more.”
Provided by Pam Saulnier, Attic Theatre
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Attic Theatre to present 'Artifice' Aug. 1-10 in Menasha
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