Ashland University’s theatre department plans to end its main stage production season with an award-winning play, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” and will feature a guest director, Alexander Yannis Stephano.

Stephano is no stranger to the stage. He has directed multiple shows across the country, including productions in Los Angeles, Calif., New York, N.Y. and many productions in Troy, Ala., where he previously directed another production of “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” in 2007.

Stephano was chosen after a nationwide search was conducted and Stephano’s reputation spoke for itself. He was nominated for an LA WEEKLY award for Comedy Direction for his production of “Want’s Unwished Work” and received three nominations for his for direction of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin; or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle of Life.”

“Picasso at the Lapin Agile” features a 23-year-old Pablo Picasso and a 25-year-old Albert Einstein meeting at a 1904 bar in Paris. The play is a comedy written in 1993 by movie legend Steve Martin. It is essentially about Picasso’s and Einstein’s discussion of talent and genius, and the associated value of each.

Juniors Matthew Goldsmith, a political science and English major, and Drew Rothhaar, a theatre major, lead the cast as Picasso and Einstein, respectively.

Also appearing will be senior Natasha Cline as “The Countess,” junior Michael Cook as “Charles Dabemow Schmendiman” and fellow junior Tara Kodosky as “a female admirer.”

The cast also includes sophomore cast members Austin Arnold as “Gaston,” Jensen Glick as Picasso’s art dealer “Sagot” and Aaron Arnold as “a visitor.”

Freshmen performers are Christian Neely as “Freddy,” Emily Jeppesen as “Germaine” and Rebecca Ribley as “Suzanne.”

Assistant Professor of Theatre Scott Chapman will oversee scene design.

Costume design will be done by Assistant Professor of Theatre Angelina Herin and Mark Maruschak, a senior, created the lighting.

Chelsea Nicholls, a fifth-year transfer student, serves as the sound designer.

Audiences are advised that the play features adult language and situations.

Reserve tickets cost $10 for adults; $9 for senior citizens, non-AU students and University staff/faculty; $8 for groups of 10 or more; and $2 for AU students.

To order tickets, call the AU Central Box Office at 419-289-5125, Monday through Friday, from noon to 6 p.m.

For more information, contact Tricia Applegate at 419-289-5950 or [email protected] or by visiting the theatre website at www.ashland.edu/theatre or by finding them on Facebook.