Picasso comes to Austin

The local barkeep, played by Ben Rooney, discusses art with Albert Einstein, played by Joshua Whalen, at a dress rehearsal for "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" inside the Frank W. Bridges Theatre at Riverland Community College Monday. The Summerset Theatre production opens Tuesday. — Trey Mewes/trey.mewes@austindailyherald.com

Summerset opens comedy on 20th-century masters

Try catching a plane, train or automobile to Summerset Theatre’s latest production, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.”

The show opens Tuesday with a bang, as local thespians put on the Steve Martin-penned production starting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 10.

“It’s one of those rare plays that is incredibly funny but also very smart,” said Summerset Theatre Executive Director Lindsey Duoos Williams. The show, directed by Lucas Johnson, centers around a fictitious meeting between Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso before the two made their respective marks on science and the arts. Featuring Martin’s trademark wit, the show has proven popular in recent years.

“This is the second time I have directed this play,” said Johnson in a press release. “It is, without a doubt, my favorite show. I fell in love with it in college, where I saw two different productions that were entered in the KCACTF [Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival] region V in 1998. That year, and from 2000 to 2001, it was one of the top 10 most produced plays in America.”

The 11-member cast will set the stage through this week for a humorous homage to 20th century intellectual giants, with all shows starting at 7:30 p.m. The production closes on July 14, however, and tickets are selling fast, according to the play’s Facebook group.

The show is recommended for ages 14 and older. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $8 for students 16 and younger and can be bought at the Riverland Box Office.

Mower County

Austin Living: Jane Taylor Academy of Dance brings 22nd annual ‘Nutcracker’ performance to Paramount Theatre

Mower County

Flower Basket Program kicks off 29th year

Mower County

Recycling Center addition progressing to spring completion

Business

10 Austin-area families to receive kits to support transitions into stable housing

Mower County

HI scientists publish paper on how immune systems react to canine parvovirus vaccination

Mower County

SEMAC announces Jan. 10 grant application deadline

Education

Give the Gift of Education this holiday season with MNSAVES

News

Woman’s decades-old mosaic of yard rocks and decorative art work may have to go

News

Rosalynn Carter honored by family, friends, first ladies and presidents, including husband Jimmy

News

Cities crack down on homeless encampments. Advocates, however, say that’s not the answer

News

Facing budget crisis, Rochester proposes closing some schools, moving others

News

Freed Israeli hostage describes deteriorating conditions while being held by Hamas

News

Hunter Biden tells Congress he’d testify publicly, setting up a potential high-stakes face-off

News

Emergency crews respond after small plane lands on Twin Cities highway

News

Mayo Clinic announces $5 billion expansion of Minnesota campus

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Austin man with three active drug cases charged in a fourth

Mower County

CWD detected in a wild deer near Wabasha in southeastern Minnesota

Education

APS hires new executive director of Finance and Operations

Grand Meadow

Model railroad open house to be held on Dec. 9-10 in Grand Meadow

Mower County

Photos: Home for the holidays

Mower County

Raising charity in the holiday season

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

News

Nearly half of Americans think the US is spending too much on Ukraine aid, an AP-NORC poll says