Are you the same person you were 15 years ago? Are your friends? The cool kids in high school don’t always grow up to be cool adults. And the nerds…are they still nerdy or are they now leading the way (or in jail)? What drew you together (envy of the athletic stars or an infatuation with a band) in high school or college, may not be enough to keep you together a decade later. In essence, that’s what Yasmina Reza’s play “Art”  is about while poking fun at abstract art that is so minimalist it is monochromatic. Emmy Award-winning Bradley Whitford leads this three-person cast at the Pasadena Playhouse.

For three middle-aged men, Marc (Bradley Whitford), Serge (Michael O’Keefe) and Yvan (Roger Bart), a pricey painting becomes a catalyst for an all out intellectual brawl. Serge, a doctor, has bought a painting that is white-on-white. Marc feels the piece has no merit beyond snobbery. Yvan is the peacemaker, but Marc isn’t looking for the olive branch.

Alan Alda originated the role of Marc in the United States on Broadway. The play was originally in French (Rena lives in Paris). Pasadena with its joyous ArtNights and Art Center is the perfect replacement for Paris. We have artists of all sorts, including counter-cultural performance art events like the Doo Dah parade.

Whitford doesn’t have Alda’s distinctive arrogant whine that drills through your soul. He could be someone you know. Your next door neighbor, your brother or someone down the street. Marc is an angry man, fighting about something that has no personal connection, but he takes the impersonal as personal.

Marc’s oldest friend Serge has bought a painting for mega-bucks.

Tom Buderwitz’s set is rectangular units, like multiple frames in textured gray at the back. In the center, there’s one wall where paintings will hang, showing us the different tastes of Yvan and Marc that we can compare to Serge. The furniture is modern, black and impersonally modern. Jared A. Sayeg’s lighting design transforms the back wall into different shades. And lighting, Serge claims is especially important to appreciate his new acquisition.

Director David Lee has allowed a give and take with this cast. O’Keefe’s Serge always stands up straight, stiffly turning his head although his long hair is limply held back by product. This isn’t a man who is particularly anal, but one who seems to be falling into a habitual bachelorhood. Serge is the only character not in a relationship.

Bart’s Yvan is the kind of guy you like because he never challenges you and is always agreeable, but he’s also the one without drive, without a path. He’s a man who drifts from job to job. Now he’s engaged to marry with his new job tied to his fiancee. Yvan is sweet and lovable, but not a leader.

That makes it seem like Marc and Serge battling verbally to be alpha of the threesome. While that would seem to make Yvan the outsider, Serge is the outsider looking in. His existence is becoming increasingly monk-like. In the end, Serge makes the peace-offering, sacrificing his new prize possession.

Rena allows you to understand each characters inner thoughts, as they periodically break the fourth wall to speak out.

“Art” may give you something to talk about and that’s always a good thing. Take your friends and then take on an art gallery. Pasadena has so many.

“Art” continues until 19 February 2012 at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.  The performance schedule is Tuesday – Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Regular ticket price range is from $29.00 – $59.00, with Premium Seating available for $100.00. All preview performances are $10 off the regular ticket price (except Premium Seating).  Rush tickets are available for $15.00 one hour prior to the performance time and are subject to availability.  Rush tickets must be purchased at The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office. Tickets are available by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Monday from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday – Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. during non-performance dates and Tuesday – Sunday from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on performance dates.  The box office is closed on holidays.  Tickets are available 24 hours online at www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.  Group Sales (8 or more) are available by calling 626-921-1161. For additional information visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.