Inventing Van Gogh

By tracing Vincent Van Gogh's masterpieces from poor painter to the modern-day multimillion-dollar art-trade business, Inventing Van Gogh explores the fascinating world of art from the original creation to the eventual appreciation and the ultimate exploitation of the artwork. The three actors portraying the artists are cohesive and intriguing—Brennan Villados as a modern young artist, Brian Watson as Van Gogh and Ed Gyles Jr. as Paul Gauguin—with director Benjamin T. Ismail keeping the ever-changing play's sentiments in check. 8pm Th, F, Sa. Through 5/17. $10-$16. Big Idea Theatre, 1616 Del Paso Blvd.; (916) 960-3036; www.bigideatheatre.com. P.R.