Essence of an artist in one-man show

Herbert Siguenza is no stranger to the entertainment world. An original member of the Latino performance troupe Culture Clash, Siguenza’s work as a writer, performer and producer is well known. Ready to exhibit his consummate skills as a writer, actor and visual artist, Siguenza will perform his one-man show “A Weekend With Pablo Picasso” at the San Diego Repertory Theatre beginning March 21.

Keeping in mind Pablo Picasso’s own statement, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,” Siguenza tackles the role of this legendary artist as he actually paints on stage. Time becomes a race against muse as Picasso works from his private studio with a deadline to deliver six new works of art to a buyer on Monday morning.

Siguenza was just a young boy when he received a photo album of Pablo Picasso at work in his studio. So inspired by what he saw, Siguenza told his mother, “When I grow old, I want to live like this man.” In his one-man show Siguenza unfolds that dream as he strives to reveal Picasso’s proclamations about things such as children, war, ambition, God, love, hate, beauty, friendship, patriotism, eternity and art as an agent of social change.

“Siguenza paints, shares intimate stories, playfully dances and gives an incredibly intimate portrayal of the visionary who changed the way the world sees art,” said Sam Woodhouse, Rep artistic director. “This master theater actor takes on the role of a rock star artist!”

With direction by Rep Associate Artistic Director Todd Salovey, original music by Bruno Louchouarn, set design by Giulio Perrone and a visual landscape of Picasso’s paintings with projections by Victoria Petrovich, the Rep’s workshop production promises many surprises.

“A Weekend With Pablo Picasso” includes live and projected images of art from Picasso and his contemporaries and several related special events that include:

• Picasso & Einstein — 6 p.m. March 21

Dr. Brian Keating, a nationally recognized physicist, discusses two game-changing geniuses of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein.

• Picasso & Film — 8:30 p.m. March 23

Clips of such films as “Surviving Picasso” starring Anthony Hopkins, Clouzot’s “The Mystery of Picasso” and “Romancero du Picador.”

• The Business of Art — 8:30 p.m. March 24

Experts in the field discuss buying and selling art. Panelists include Pierrette B. Van Cleve, Scott White (Scott White Contemporary Art) and fine art appraiser Lydia Thompson, Ph.D.

• Talkin’ Theatre with Todd: Herbert Siguenza & Bruno Louchouarn — 9:30 p.m. March 25
• Meet the Artists — 8:30 p.m. March 31 and 9:30 p.m. April 2

Conversation with those who worked on “A Weekend With Pablo Picasso.”

• Sam’s Salon: Art Pros Talk Picasso — 7 p.m. April 1

Guests include museum curators Julia Marciari Alexander, Ph.D. (San Diego Museum of Art); John Marciari, Ph.D. (curator of European art and head of Provenance Research); and Associate Curator Lucia Sanromán, M.A. (Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego).

‘A Weekend With Pablo Picasso’

• When: March 21-April 11
• Previews: 7 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday; 8 p.m. Thursday
• Performances: 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 2 p.m. April 3 only; 8 p.m. March 28 and 2 p.m. April 11; 7 p.m. Sundays
• Where: The San Diego Repertory Theatre, Lyceum Theater, Horton Plaza
• Tickets: $29-$40 (students $18) at (619) 544-1000