Restoration

By Claudia Shear

Directed by Christopher Ashley

Originally produced at La Jolla Playhouse, La Jolla, CA.

June 23,2009 through July 19, 2009

About the Premiere Production: Once a rising star in the exclusive art restoration world, Giulia burned all her bridges and now works alone in her refurbished Brooklyn garage…until opportunity comes knocking. When she snares the coveted job to spend a year in Florence restoring Michelangelo’s David, she soon becomes consumed by love for the marble giant. As her obsession with the David grows, she resists joining the vibrant life around her, despite the repeated encouragement of the museum’s security guard Max. Torn between the eternal perfection of the statue and the delightful messiness of real life, Giulia must decide if she has what it takes to live outside the clean, anonymous safety of the museum. Inspired by the actual restoration performed by one woman on the David in 2004 -- in preparation for his 500th birthday, acclaimed playwright/actress Claudia Shear delivers a passionate, funny and moving portrait of a woman who spends a year in the shadow of a masterpiece -- and uncovers herself in the process.

Artistic Statement: Restoration was commissioned by La Jolla Playhouse in 2008, and we are extremely proud to include it as part of our 2009-2010 Season. Restoration uses the intersecting trajectories of a middle-aged woman and a timeless masterpiece to speak to how people and objects endure throughout our lives and throughout history. It examines the process of change (physical, emotional, psychological, and historical) and also how we learn to accept that change. The play is a moving and funny portrait of survival and endurance that essentially illustrates and examines the impermanence of beauty. The Playhouse feels that it will be an important addition to the American theatrical repertoire.

Director:Christopher Ashley

Set Design:Scott Pask

Lighting Design:David Lander

Sound Design:Dan Moses Schreier

Costume Design: David C. Woolard

Dramaturg:Gabe Greene

Projection Designer: Kristin Ellert

Stage Manager: Lisa Porter

Additional Funders:

Gail and Ralph Bryan 
Dr. Howard and Barbara Milstein

Subsequent Productions: New York Theatre Workshop - Spring 2010.