Despite its dark side, humor is inherent in Art. Translated into at least 20 different languages, the play has tickled audiences all across the globe. Folks roared at the national tour production that played the F.M. Kirby Center last spring, and if the Pennsylvania Repertory Theatre has its way, giggles will fill Scranton's Afa Gallery this weekend and next.

Witty yet increasingly bitter words are exchanged in Reza's play as three long-time friends watch their relationship disintegrate. The impetus: Serge spends $200,000 on a white-on-white painting by "Antrios." Marc thinks the canvas (and its purchase) is pretentious. Yvan is too busy freaking out about his impending wedding to make a decision.

The play, proposed director John Schugard, isn't really about art at all.

"The painting is the catalyst that sets off the confrontation, but the play's about three neurotic people. At least by American standards, they're neurotic. I keep thinking these are typical Frenchman and that we think they're weird because of cultural differences and it has nothing to do with them being crazy," he told e.c. at a recent rehearsal.

Intriguingly, neither the director or the play's cast particularly like the people they are depicting in Art.

"Truth be told, I hate these people," actor John Pivovarnick confessed. He has been reminded of the pretentious artists he encountered in Philadelphia while rooming with a friend enrolled in the Tyler School of Art. Yet as an actor, he finds that it's necessary to connect in some way with his character, Serge.

"I can't play negative space, so in my head I've been translating all of it," he explained. "Like I've had situations where you buy a coat that you love but you put it on and all your friends go, 'Ahhh! Take it back. Ahhh! what were you thinking."

Actor Greg Korin plays Marc in the production. He's having fun with his role, in part because it's "cathartic." He was once married into a family of artists who rented a space every year for a group showing of their sculpture and paintings.

"I consider myself kind of cultured and somewhat of an artist (huge burst of laughter from everyone in the room) but I just didn't get any of it," Korin shared. "I think (Marc)'s kind of a prick, but the whole time I was a part of that family that was my whole attitude. It was crazy. So this is kind of catharsis after years of pent-up sarcasm."

"Really they're all a**holes and you wouldn't be hanging out with them probably," agreed Conor McGuigan who is portraying Yvan. "But at different parts of the play, you're on one side and you can understand one side of the argument versus the other."

So... what's so funny about listening to three barely likable Frenchmen bicker about art?

McGuigan likens the appeal to that of NBC's Will & Grace. "It's people that everybody knows that say things to each other you don't normally say to people," related McGuigan.

Marc, Serge, and Yvan are all very European, the cast and director agree. "They're reeking of French," McGuigan quipped. "This play gives you real reasons to hate the French. No anti-war crap. 'Cause they're just plain obnoxious," he joked.

On a more serious note, Schugard feels that the play's humor is primarily a result of its well-written and clever dialogue.

"This isn't a play we have to make funny," pointed the director. "The author, or at least the translator, gives us a lot of chances to be funny." Still, the Rep isn't anticipating the packed houses they saw months back with their production of Brady Bunch Live!

"This is a much more traditional presentation," Schugard admitted. "I guess you could call Art an intellectual play. But it's an intellectual play that makes fun of intellectuals."

Show times are May 23, 24, 30, and 31 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, June 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance (available at Northern Light Espresso Bar on Spruce Street) or $12 tickets at the door. All performances are BYOB for those 21 years-old and over. For more information send e-mail to: artnepa@hotmail.com.

A Couple of Comedies Open in Carbondale

The Corner Bistro Dinner Theatre could rightfully be called the Nunsense experts of Northeast Pennsylvania. The first regional theatre in the entire country to produce Dan Goggin's Nunsense A-Men, the theatre has presented over eight different Nunsense casts during the past 13 years and were the first in the region to produce both Nunsense II and Nuncrackers. Next weekend and next fans of the Little Sisters of Hoboken will have their prayers answered when yet another revival of Nunsense II: The Second Coming opens in Carbondale.

Set approximately six weeks after the Nunsense "benefit performance," the sequel finds those familiar five sisters performing a variety show-style "Thank You" program for their supporters. This time, the sisters are forced to work around the set for a production of the Mikado that will be presented on the Mt. Saint Helen's School by the Hoboken Music Society the following week.

Directed by Rob Misko with musical direction by Roy Brehm the divine cast features both Deb and Rob Misko, John Baldino, Sarah Stachura and Laura Helbing. Nunsense II opens on May 30 and continues through June 8. Doors open on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and at 5 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $25 and include the Bistro Buffet. Reservations are required. Call 282-7499 for more information.

Over at the Coal Company Theatre on 7 Seventh Avenue, the ACT will present three weekends worth of the Michael Parker's farce Whose Wives Are they Anyway?. The production will be directed by long time ACT associate Dr. Peter Pettinato and opens this Friday. British-born actor/playwright Michael Parker is probably best known for his Gary Hart scandal-inspired work The Sensuous Senator and its sequel, The Amorous Ambassador. The plays were the first in long line of American bedroom farces which Parker began writing for a Florida-based community theatre company who found the traditional English styled comedies, well... too British.

The highly-formulaic productions tend to feature unlikely coincidences, several sets of lingerie clad lovers whose adulterous plans are repeatedly foiled, comic misunderstandings that escalate until audience hysterics result (think TV show Three's Company) and lots and lots of slamming doors. Call 282-1383 or 877 522-9689 for ticket information and reservations.