Goetz plays one of the 20th-century's most influential artists, Pablo Picasso, in the new Paris-set play about a mysterious woman named Miss Fischer (played by Arnaz), who has been hired by the Gestapo to interrogate him.

Manhattan theatres are said to be circling the production.

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During the German occupation of Paris, Miss Fischer asks Picasso about the authenticity of three paintings left behind by people fleeing the regime. "Sex and power collide in this suspense-filled drama, which, while fictional, is nevertheless a graphic and revealing portrait of the most influential and controversial artist of the 20th century," according to the announcement.

A Picasso received the Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre for Outstanding New Play 2003 from the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. Goetz is known for film, TV and stage work, including New York's Comic Potential, Beyond Therapy, Macbeth, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Sex and Longing, The Queen and the Rebels and Ned & Jack. On television he has been a guest star on "Without a Trace," "Home Improvement," "Ellen," and "Touched by an Angel," and a recurring player in "The West Wing," "Gilmore Girls," "The Practice," and "Picket Fences."

Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, appeared at the Playhouse in last season's Once Removed by Eduardo Machado and is a film, television, Broadway, regional theatre, and West End veteran. On Broadway she made her debut in 1978's They're Playing Our Song (Theater World, L.A. Drama Critics and Outer Critics Circle Awards) and also appeared in Lost In Yonkers and Grace and Glorie. Other theatre credits include national tours of Seesaw, Whose Life Is It Anyway?, Social Security and My One and Only. She starred in the London premiere of The Witches of Eastwick, the musical.

Jeffrey Hatcher's works include Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Three Viewings, Scotland Road, Neddy, Fellow Travelers, Sockdology and the recent Off Broadway production of Tuesdays with Morrie. He penned the libretto for Broadway's Never Gonna Dance.

Director Tillinger received Tony Award nominations for his work as a director on Inherit the Wind, The Price and Loot, for which he also received the Outer Critics Circle Award. Other Broadway credits include recent productions of Judgment at Nuremburg, Night Must Fall with Matthew Broderick, Getting and Spending and The Sunshine Boys. At the Coconut Grove Playhouse he has directed The Sunshine Boys, Say Goodnight, Gracie and Eleanor.

The design team for A Picasso includes Derek McLane (sets), Ellis Tillman (costumes) and Steve Shapiro and Lane Starratt (sound).

Tickets are $35-$45. For information, call (305) 442-4000 or visit www.cgplayhouse.org.