Local actor Peter Goetz takes on the role of Pablo Picasso in Jeffrey Hatcher’s play ‘A Picasso,’ now on stage in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave. through March 25. This time the Spanish painter finds himself in an underground vault in German-occupied Paris in 1941, where he encounters a young Gestapo art critic, Miss Fisher (Roma Downey), who hopes to inveigle him into authenticating his work so it can be publicly burned. The situation gives playwright Hatcher an opportunity to demonstrate the wit of the artist, the power of the persona and his unflinching passion for his work. The sexy inquisitor’s job is to get Picasso to crack under pressure. Hatcher’s many award-winning original plays have been performed on Broadway, off Broadway and regionally across the U.S. and abroad. He wrote the book for the Broadway musical ‘Never Gonna Dance,’ based on the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film ‘Swingtime.’ Other works include a film adaptation of his acclaimed stage play ‘Complete Female Stage Beauty,’ ‘Casanova’ for director Lasse Hallstrom, as well as screenplays for directors Steven Shainberg (‘Secretary’) and Kim Pierce (‘Boys Don’t Cry’). He has also written for the Peter Falk TV series ‘Columbo’ and E! Entertainment Television. Downey, originally from Ireland, has played on Broadway opposite Rex Harrison. Off Broadway, she has appeared in ‘Ghosts,’ ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost,’ Tamara,’ and ‘Arms and Man.’ She has also appeared television movies and was a series regular on ‘Touched By An Angel.’ She is the international spokesperson for ‘Operation Smile,’ and the author of the children’s book ‘Love Is A Family.’ Goetz has appeared on Broadway in ‘Macbeth,’ ‘Brighton Beach Memoirs,’ and ‘The Last Night of Ballyhoo,’ also performed in Los Angeles. His film credits include ‘Father of the Bride,’ ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash,’ ‘Glory,’ and Above Suspicion,’ among others. His television credits run the gamut, from ‘The Cavanaugh’s’ to ‘Room For Two,’ and many guest appearances. Goetz and his wife Connie, who works at Village Books in Pacific Palisades, live in Malibu and have two sons and three grandchildren. For tickets ($55), call (310) 208-5454. Caption: Peter Michael Goetz illustrates the power and persona in his portrayal of Pablo Picasso during the West Coast premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s ‘A Picasso’ in The Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse. Photo by Michael Lamont.
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