Silver Line Theatre Exchange (SLTE) presents Tony Awarding-winning “Art” by Yasmina Reza, directed by Constance Swain, opening on Friday, July 12, 2024.
On select nights, patrons can enjoy a dinner and a show with Gardner’s Harvest featuring the best of summer in the Shenandoah Valley.
Director Constance Swain is an activist, stage and voice actor, with recent credits with Ford’s Theatre, Arena Stage, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the American Shakespeare Center. Swain recently moved to the area and is making her professional directorial debut with “Art.”
“We’ve really assembled the dream team. This cast is a riot, so ridiculously talented, and to boot, they know how to pull at our heartstrings, they know how to make us pause. They take us on an emotional roller coaster,” Swain said.
The play centers on three friends: Serge (played by Ethan Goodmansen), Marc (played by Richard Waddingham), and Yvan (played by Johnny Williams III). When Serge buys an expensive, all-white painting, it ignites a debate about its value, revealing deep-seated tensions. Marc is incredulous, Yvan tries to mediate and their differing views on art test their friendship.
The sharp, humorous play examines the subjective nature of art and the fragility of human relationships.
“This play explores the depths of friendships— our expectations, the roles we seemingly play, and what happens when all of that is suddenly challenged. It gets messy. There are low blows and hard truths. We’re left to ask ourselves… why should we stay?” Swain said.
Dinner theatre is a new addition at Silver Line.
“We’re always looking for ways to make the theatre-going experience even more memorable,” says SLTE Artistic Director Jeremy West.
Two Saturday shows include a farm-to-table dinner collaboration with Gardner’s Harvest, a three-course menu featuring locally grown and farm-raised foods.
“Chef Aaron Gardner’s food mimics exactly what we’re trying to do with theatre: feature local talent at a world-class standard.” West said.
For individuals who choose not to join for the dinner experience, patrons can still enjoy a curated menu of craft cocktails, wine, beer, cider and zero-proof drinks to enjoy during the show.
“Art” will run three weekends in July, on Fridays and Saturdays: July 12 and 13, 19 and 20, and 26 and 27. Dinner and a show dates are July 13 and 20, 2024, and begin at 6 p.m. All other shows begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Warehouse. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
For tickets and more information are available online.
Silver Line Theatre Exchange is an education-led theatre company offering classes and performance opportunities for students in grades PK-12 and adults, and a professional producing body that connects regional professional actors and aspiring artists to performance and teaching work.
Silver Line Theatre Exchange is at 211 N. Lewis St., Staunton.
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Rebecca Barnabi
