Hilarious historical comedy 'Picasso at the Lapin Agile' opens at Footlighters Theatre

REDLANDS, Calif. — The curtain rises Friday, June 6, on Picasso at the Lapin Agile, the latest production at Redlands Footlighters Community Theatre. Written by comedian and screen legend Steve Martin, the quirky, time-bending comedy runs through June 22 and offers a whimsical what-if: What would happen if Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso met in a Parisian café in 1904?

Directed by Rob Thurmond, the play runs weekends at 7:30 p.m. on June 6–7, 13–14, and 20–21, with matinees at 2 p.m. on June 8, 15, 21, and 22. An opening night gala will follow the first performance, and a “talk back” session with the director and cast will follow the Saturday matinee on June 21.

Presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc., Picasso at the Lapin Agile blends intellectual humor with zany absurdity. The action unfolds in a Paris dive bar where the young scientist and budding artist exchange bold ideas on art, science, fame, and the future—just before each would make world-changing contributions to their fields.

The fictionalized meeting turns delightfully chaotic as a cast of offbeat characters joins in, including Picasso’s date, his eccentric agent, a bartender and his mistress, a downbeat philosopher, and a would-be inventor. The surreal conversation culminates with a surprise visit from a mysterious figure from the future.

“Steve Martin’s enlightening play is equally smart and silly,” the Hartford Courant wrote. The New York Times described it as “a mix of the sublime with the ridiculous,” noting Martin’s signature blend of silliness and intellectual depth.

Tickets can be purchased online, with discounts available for season ticket bundles. For more information, visit www.redlandsfootlighters.org.

About the Playwright

Steve Martin is one of the most versatile artists of his generation, known for his decades-spanning work in comedy, film, writing, and music. In addition to penning Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Martin has authored screenplays, novels, and Grammy-winning music. His many honors include an Academy Award, five Grammys, an Emmy, the Mark Twain Prize, and the Kennedy Center Honors.