The Mexico City production of Yasmina Reza's hit comedy Art (Arte) will celebrate its first 100 performances Feb. 12. The special guests for the occasion are actress Angelica Aragon (currently starring in the hit soap-opera "Mirada de Mujer") and actor Demian Bichir.

Coincidentally, the Broadway production of Art starring Victor Garber, Alan Alda and Alfred Molina will begin previews at the Royale Theatre also Feb. 12.

The 100th performance celebration is a very important event in the life of a show in Mexico, it's considered as an augury of success. After the performance, the special guests unveil a commemorative engraved plate that is later hanged at the foyer of the theatre. With this tradition, foyers of Mexico City's theatres are like museums with plates honoring all successful productions that have played at each theatre.

The stars of the Mexican Art are Hector Bonilla (Barnum, M. Butterfly, Equus), Rafael Sanchez Navarro (The Elephant Man, Amadeus), and Claudio Obregon (Long Day´s Journey Into Night, Salome).

Translated into Spanish by Otto Minera and directed by Mario Espinoza, Arte explores the relationship among three friends when one of them buys, for 200,000 francs, an all-white painting, which provokes a clash of opinions, choices, language and meanings. Designing Arte are Gabriel Pascal (set and lights) and Dennise Offray (costumes). Lazaro Becker, who produced M. Butterfly (Senor Butterfly) and Lend Me a Tenor (Donde esta el Tenor) is producing Art in Mexico.

Arte premiered Sept.12, 1997 at Mexico City's Teatro Helenico, where it plays Thurs. at 8:30 PM, Fri. at 7:30 & 9:30 PM, Sat. at 7 & 9 PM and Sun. at 6 PM. For information and tickets call (52-5) 662 8674.