From Oct. 18-Dec. 15, the Briar Street Theatre hosts the return of Picasso At The Lapin Agile to Chicago area theatre. Steve Martin's fantastical comedy, about an imaginary encounter between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein in a quaint cafe, opened at Steppenwolf in 1993 and later had a successful run Off-Broadway.

According to Chicago critic Mary Shen Barnidge ("The Reader," "This Month ON STAGE"), at a press conference announcing the show's return to the Windy City, Steve Martin fielded the usual questions, plus a number of rude queries from "three fugitives from comedy-club hell" (one a character-comic from WLUP radio).

After prefacing their questions with an oh-so-funny "excuuuuuuse me," these half-wits asked the prolific screenwriter, actor and playwright "whether he still gets small" and whether he'd be writing a musical about King Tut. The graceful and unflappable Martin riposted, "No, but if I do, YOU'RE in it. Could I see everyone's press credentials?" Martin kidded. "I'd love to be enigmatic. Can anyone think of a question where I can be enigmatic?"

One TV journalist, wearing an oh-so-witty arrow through his head, chirped, "What do you like about Chicago?" Martin sighed and replied, "The press conferences are so much fun."

For tickets and information on Picasso At The Lapin Agile, which officially opens at Briar Street Oct. 26, call (773) 348-4000. -- By David Lefkowitz