Broadway's new revival of Yasmina Reza's Art, currently in previews and headed for a September 16 opening night at the Music Box Theatre, has stars Bobby Cannavale, Neil Patrick Harris, and James Corden playing three friends whose relationship is threatened by one's controversial art purchase. At a recent press event with all three stars, we learned that they're achieving their characters' onstage friendship by channeling their real-life offstage relationship.

Well, kind of. All three had worked together on projects, but only briefly, so they've had to rekindle their relationships once beginning the rehearsal process for this production. "We all knew each other a little bit," Cannavale told us. "We all had great respect for each other. We all were very aware of each other’s, at least, theatre chops. You don’t want to get involved in a three-man play and have one person who’s a pop singer that’s never been on stage in a play before. We laugh, but it’s not that funny. It happens all the time.

"We have a really great director, Scott Ellis, who really has great control of the room by having a loose control over us," Cannavale continued. "It allows us to have a good time, crack a lot of jokes. The first week of rehearsal or so, I feel like we spent more time just telling stories and cracking each other up than actually working on the play. And sometimes some plays need that. We have to establish this long-time friendship."

As for how that long-time friendship is now playing out between the three stage and screen stars, you'll have to watch above to find out.

Art began performances at the Music Box August 28 with Ellis (Pirates! The Penzance Musical) at the helm. Opening night is September 16, and performances continue through December 21.

This is the first Broadway revival of Reza's play, which was originally produced in French and then subsequently translated into English for Broadway by Christopher Hampton. The work is about three friends whose friendship is tested when one of them (Serge, played by Harris) buys an expensive painting that Marc (Cannavale) dislikes. The third friend, Yvan (Corden), is stuck in the middle.

Standbys for the production include Michael Oberholtzer, Howard W. Overshown, and Harry Smith. Mary MacLeod is the fight captain.

The staging features scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Jen Schriever, and sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman. Original music is by Kid Harpoon, and the Sordelet brothers, Rick and Christian Kelly-Sordelet, share the role of fight director. Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Alexandre Bleau. Kasey Graham is the associate director.

The revival is being produced by Michael Shulman's Sand & Snow Entertainment, ATG Productions, and Gavin Kalin Productions. 101 Productions, Ltd will serve as executive producer and general manager, with Christopher Taggart. Joy Sims is the company manager, Aurora Productions is handling production management, and Julia Jones is the production stage manager.

Visit ArtOnBroadway.com.