Culture Clash's Herbert Siguenza Brings Picasso to Life

For some of us, Herbert Siguenza will always be one third of the ground-breaking Los Angeles comedy group Culture Clash. But Siguenza also has written and performed in several solo shows, including one as Cantinflas, the Mexican comic actor.

His latest effort has him starring as Pablo Picasso. A Weekend With Pablo Picasso previews Wednesday and opens Thursday at the Los Angeles Theater Center.

Siguenza grew up in Los Angeles and lived in Elysian Park for four years.  He is a San Francisco Giants fan—which may have made life in the shadow of Dodger Stadium little difficult. But he is also definitely a fan of the neighborhood where Culture Clash has long been based.

He took some time off during the final days of rehearsal to answer a few questions for us.

Patch: This is isn't your first one man show. But it is a Picasso. Why?

Herbert: Portraying Picasso on stage is something I have been wanting to do since I was a kid. I saw a photo book of him by Douglas Duncan calledThe Private World of Pablo Picasso, and I based my play off those images. I just had to wait and get older to portray Picasso at 76. He was already a living legend and very wealthy. I wanted to portray him at this somewhat peaceful and happy time of his life.

Patch: Have you taken on the persona the history books suggest you should?

Herbert: Yes, I believe so. I based his character on the way his wives, lovers, friends and other artists described him. He was very complex, very emotional and passionate about his work. Work came first and everything else came second. This was also his own internal conflict because he really liked spending time with friends and going to the bull fights in Arles, France.

Patch: Was Picasso a kind man?

Herbert: I truly believe he was. We all know him as the misogynistic, selfish and brooding artist. But he was kind and open to his close friends. And I don't really care if he was a monster personally. The fact is he left the world with some of the most beautiful , most gentle and peaceful pieces of art ever made. I think that overweighs everything. An artist’s legacy and output outweighs his personality in my mind. He left us richer with beauty.

Patch: What does his life tell us about artistic aspiration? Is it something you understand, or is it very counterintuitive to your own process?

Herbert: I agree with 90 percent of the dialogue I speak. This makes it easy to sell to an audience. Itruly believe in what I am saying about creativity, inspiration and process. It's quite simple really, he said "Inspiration does not exist; if it does, it must find you working". I truly believe that also. Action plus sweat creates everything you want to do. There is no alternative. Just do it.

Patch: Echo Park is known best as a musicians enclave. What's it been like to be a theatrical performer working in the hood?

Herbert: I love Echo Park. It reminds me of my old neighborhood of the Mission in San Francisco--but without the good burritos! I used to live up by Elysian Park, and it’s a beautiful hiking destination. I also like all the new art galleries and coffee shops popping up everywhere. The lake has always been a inspiration for artists. Have you ever seen a Carlos Almaraz painting? Inspired.

Patch: Will we hear more from Culture Clash? Or are your Picasso show, Rich Montoya’s screenplay and other solo projects signs that group members are pursuing their own interests?

Herbert: Culture Clash is alive and well. After 26 years together, we just had to go out and do things that we wanted to do outside the group. Rich is writing screenplays. Ric [Salinas] just directed Teatro ZinZanni in San Francisco, and I took on the father of Modern Art

"A Weekend With Pablo Picasso" opens Thursday, March 31 at the Los Angeles Theater Center and runs through May 1.  A preview performance is Wednesday. Tickets available at www.thelatc.org