Geffen producing director Gilbert Cates directs the work, which previews Feb. 4, 2007, and opens Feb. 11 for a run scheduled through March 25 at the California company's Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater.
Set in 1941 German-occupied Paris, the drama follows the title artist (Goetz) who "is secreted to a dusty underground vault beneath a Paris street where he encounters a beautiful young Gestapo art critic-turned interrogator (Downey)," as a summary describes.
Goetz has appeared on Broadway in Macbeth, Sex and Longing, The Queen And the Rebels, Beyond Therapy, Ned and Jack, Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Government Inspector and The Last Night of Ballyhoo. He has also been seen in the films "Father of the Bride," "Empty Mirror," "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "The World According to Garp," "Prince of the City," and on television in "The Cavanaughs," "Aftermash," "Room For Two" and "The Faculty."
Downey — known to television audiences as the heavenly arbiter in "Touched By An Angel" — has played on Broadway in The Circle and Off-Broadway in Ghosts, Love's Labours Lost, Tamara, Arms and the Man as well as the national tour of the Abbey Theater's The Playboy of the Western World. She is also the author of the children's book "Love is a Family" and a recording artist of the inspirational CD "Healing Angel."
The design team includes Francois-Pierre Couture (scenic), Christina Haatainen Jones (costumes) and Jon Gottlieb (sound). Production stage manager is Amy E. Bristol. The Geffen Playhouse currently presents Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking (through Jan. 14, 2007) and Ricky Jay & His 52 Assistants (through Jan. 27, 2007). Also slated are David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow (Jan. 30-March 18, 2007), Tom Stoppard's translation of Gérald Sibleyras' Heroes (April 10-May 27, 2007), Hershey Felder's George Gershwin Alone (June 5-July 22, 2007) and Neil LaBute's Fat Pig (May 5-July 15, 2007).
Tickets to A Picasso at the Geffen Playhouse, located at 10886 Le Conte Avenue in Westwood, CA can be purchased by calling (310) 208-5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.com.
