Inventing Van Gogh

Reviewed by Holly Bartges

I have never cared for still life paintings. It has never made sense to me to hang paintings of food or vases of flowers anywhere. Obviously, there are many who do. These paintings are everywhere. A student of art recently told me art instructors find still life paintings vital to teach color and perception. I understand that, but pictures of fruit or flowers still makes no sense to me.

Brett Aune as Vincent Van Gogh, Chris Reid as Patrick Stone and Jim Ziegler as Dr. Miller in Inventing Van Gogh.

Now I understand why.

Curious Theatre at the Acoma Center proudly presents the regional premiere of local playwright Steven Dietz’s mind- boggling play, Inventing Van Gogh. Curious Theatre has every reason to be proud. Directed by Chip Walton, the production is an amazing visual and thinking piece of work.

Struggling artist, Patrick Stone (Chris Reid) finds himself caught in a web of mysterious deceit concocted by authenticator Bouchard (Christopher Leo).

The last unfinished self-portrait of Van Gogh was never found. It would mean fame and fortune for Bouchard to find the missing painting. Devising a scheme to discover some obvious fraudulent paintings, and then uncover the real treasure would put Bouchard on the map. Setting Stone up in a warehouse, he promises the painter his replica would be authenticated as the real missing painting.

Stone studied under Dr. Miller (Jim Ziegler) who sacrificed his life to hunt down the allusive painting. In despair for not finding it, he shoots himself. Miller’s daughter, Hallie (Kendra Crain McGovern) Stone love interest, accuses him of having shot her father.

Struggling with the accusations, the deceit, and his worth as an artist, Reid gives a portrait of his own with his portrayal of the conflicted Stone.

Across time and space, Van Gogh (Brett Aune) enters Stone’s reality to dialogue and monologue on his thoughts on what art is and is not, on his own agonized tortured being.

With a brilliant set designed by Dan Guyette, and spectacular lighting design by Shannon McKinney, the disturbing conversations with Van Gogh, Dr. Miller, Hallie and Stone are palatable for believability. The extravagant lighting not only gives the eyes a feast of brilliant color, but also allows for the various scenes to neatly fall into place.

Van Gogh bats around his struggles with his friend and painter Gauguin (Leo), while Stone observes awestruck over what he sees and hears. One also wonders if the varied and conflicted scenes could be taking place in Stone’s mind as he struggles over what he is doing and why. Time or space or in the mind technically it works.

Dietz drew heavily on Van Gogh’s letters. As a student of the obsessed Dr. Miller, Stone would have done extensive research and study himself on Van Gogh.

In conversation with Gauguin Van Gogh says, “Art is of the mind,” Painting what is there is not art. Art must look past what is seen.” It was then I knew why I dislike most still life paintings. Most are replicas of what is there. Later Van Gogh says to Stone, “Painting is not what is seen through the eyes, but through the eyelashes.”

With his baggy clothes and signature hat, Aune provides an intriguing recognizable portrait of Van Gogh as he might have been. Outstanding performance.

Although Van Gogh is often written off as a brilliant painter, but totally insane, his words reveal a depth of wisdom and understanding of human nature that is almost too frightening to comprehend. He paints and thinks beyond the comfortable self-contained box. Tormented, no question, but perhaps his torment is seen as insanity because those thinking within a box cannot see beyond what is actually there.

Except for Stone and Van Gogh, the actors play double roles. Leo with Bouchard and Gauguin; McGovern with Hallie and Van Gogh’s distant love, Marguerite; and Zeigler with Dr. Miller, and Van Gogh’s doctor Dr. Gachet. The exceptional cast is well suited for switching roles within seconds in plain sight. There never is any question of who plays whom, and what is going on. With the fast paced prodding dialogue, the play attracts questions for the mind to play with. It takes a well-oiled production to allow for both to take place at the same time.

True to Curious Theatre’s integration into the community, several related events have been scheduled. For details check the Curious Web Site www.curioustheatre.org.

Inventing Van Gogh is definitely not a play to be missed for its technical achievement, high-quality actors, stunning light show, creative set, and ingenious direction. One doesn’t have to be an artist, or think they don’t care for art to appreciate the story. Chances are art will appear very different, as will human nature, after the production. The experience is mesmerizing.