‘300 Paintings’ is a harrowing, hilarious journey

By Rich Fahey

CAMBRIDGE – For six months, a former Australian stand-up comic toiled in an abandoned cake factory, starting from scratch to learn what it takes to become an artist.

After a harrowing journey, the end result was 300 paintings, a raft of other ideas about inventions and businesses, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and an engrossing, oft-hilarious evening of theater.

 Australian performer Sam Kissajukian’s very original “300 Paintings” was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre in New York City, where it was seen by representatives from the American Repertory Theater. The ART is presenting the current run at Farkas Hall in Cambridge through Oct. 25.

After 10 years as a comedian, Kissajukian  quit the business cold turkey and began the search for something fulfilling that would satisfy his creative urge.  He found it in Sydney, creating large-scale paintings en masse. He also found his muse during a month that required him to invent something each day or creating bizarre business plans that centered on such ideas as cornering the market on Australian wartime pennies, a venture for which he hilariously actually lured an investor with a five-digit retainer.

He even came up with a design for something he called a “Museum of Motivation.”

 Iconic artist Vincent Van Gogh may be the poster child for creative geniuses also suffering from mental illness; his self-portrait is one of many images Kissajukian will show on a screen behind him. When Kissajukian learns that Van Gogh may have suffered from five different mental illnesses, he muses about how he might acquire more.

Another example: The late Jonathan Winters, a brilliant comedian, was open about his long-term struggles with mental health issues, including bipolar disorder and alcoholism. His condition led to hospitalizations and influenced his career and comedy. 

Ans while Kissajukian may no longer be using his skills to be a stand-up comic, those skills — storytelling, precise timing, and self-deprecating humor – play a key role in the structure and presentation of the piece. He may no longer be performing stand-up er se, but those same qualities that allowed him to entertain an audience – even a drunken one at the Friday 10 p.m. show – still work in a very different venue.

The performer/playwright said he doesn’t operate from a static script in the 90-minute performance of “300 Paintings” So the show you see may differ slightly from the one I saw, as he tweaks things.

Of course, there is a price to be paid at the end of the six months. Isolation and trauma  from lack of sleep and no sunshine  climaxed in panic attacks and other related symptoms of psychosis, and it was at that point in January 2022 that Kissajukian sought medical attention. After he was diagnosed as bipolar and told his family and friends, they all responded in the same way: “We know.”

Kissajukian’s doctors have told him that his six-month burst of creativity was essentially a sustained manic episode. A short primer on bipolar disorder is presented as part of the show.

The ART has always championed dramaturgy, and an interview feature called “300 Questions with Sam” included with the program is an informative and educational addition to the work.

“300 Paintings” is truly interactive. Theatergoers are invited up onto the stage after the show to peruse a small gallery of selected paintings with information about them easily accessible. Kissajukian then met with theatergoers in the upper lobby of the theater after the performance.

In the hands of a master storyteller, “300 Paintings” is entertaining and inspiring.

The American Repertory Theater production of “300 Paintings.” Written and performed by Sam Kissajukian.  At Farkas Hall, 12 Holyoke St., Cambridge. Through Oct. 25. American RepertoryTheater.org