Pageant of the Masters will explore ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’

Last year, with “The Art Detective,” the Pageant of the Masters acknowledged one of the darker aspects of art — the fact that some people are driven to commit theft and even war crimes to obtain coveted works of beauty.

By contrast, next summer’s show centers on a more genteel quest: “The Pursuit of Happiness.” The show, which is still being planned, will feature images of family life, recreation, nature and other forms of merriment — in particular, ones that predate modern technology, as director Diane Challis Davy was keen to point out.

“It seems as if the subject of happiness is a hot topic right now,” she said. “We all know by now Pharrell Williams’ song ‘Happy.’ There are so many books on the shelves right now having to do with the pursuit of happiness, how to acquire happiness in your life. I just thought it would be an interesting topic to follow in our show, and in our show, we’re going to find out what people did before technology complicated our lives.”

Among the artists whose work has been tapped for inclusion are Winslow Homer, N.C. Wyeth and 19th-century printmakers Currier and Ives. The full lineup will appear on the pageant website in December, Davy said.

The casting call for next year’s event, in which live models pose onstage in tableaux that replicate classic artworks, will take place Jan. 9-11. The pageant is scheduled to run from July 8-Aug. 31.