The Morini Strad
Description
Inspired by the true story of concert violinist Erica Morini and her legendary Stradivarius violin, THE MORINI STRAD is a delicate duet between Erica, a difficult former child prodigy, and Brian, a stubbornly independent violin maker she hires to restore and then sell her beloved Strad. As Brian makes the arrangements, the question of what will become of the priceless instrument threatens to destroy their unexpected friendship. Through classical music and fiery confrontations, Brian and Erica must face the choices they’ve made about their music and their lives.
Production Info
Full Length Drama (about 95 minutes)
Single Set
Contemporary Costumes
Press Quotes
“In its elegant West Coast premiere, Willy Holtzman’s fact-based drama about virtuoso Erica Morini and the instrument she yearns to restore traces a moving reverie on classical mastery, the realities of aging and the cost of artistic ambition. Morini (1904–1995), considered by many observers to be the sine qua non of her profession, was a child prodigy who attacked the violin with a force that hitherto was the domain of male counterparts. Her decline, and the mystery surrounding her 1727 Davidoff Stradivarius, forms the content of Holtzman’s two-hander.” —David C Nichols, Los Angeles Times
“A lovely theatrical chamber piece that’s … expertly written. THE MORINI STRAD hits all the right notes.” —Frank Scheck, New York Post
“Every so often, if you’re lucky, you get to experience a perfect show … I did. THE MORINI STRAD is a brilliant script. The script by playwright Willy Holtzman is layered with sharp dialogue, surprising wit and thought provoking inspiration. He writes like a life coach who teaches us lessons about understanding and (dis)trust, reminding us of all the roads not taken and sacrifices made. THE MORINI STRAD is a must-see!” —Michael J Tobin, Portland Daily Sun
Author
Willy HoltzmanWilly Holtzman's plays include THE FIRST MRS. ROCHESTER (Portland Stage Company), HONOR FLIGHT (PlayPenn), G.O.B. (PlayPenn), THE MORINI STRAD (City Theatre, ATCA Steinberg Best New American Play Award nominee, had its New York debut at Primary Stages in March 2012); SOMETHING YOU DID (Primary Stages, People's Light & Theatre, Theatre J, commissioned by Baltimore Center Stage); SABINA (Primary Stages, New Jewish Theatre, Gradiva Award Nominee); HEARTS (People's Light & Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Long Wharf Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Asolo Theatre, New Jewish Theatre of St. Louis, received the Barrymore Award, the inaugural Arthur Miller Award and was anthologized in Smith and Kraus BEST NEW PLAYS); BOVVER BOYS (Primary Stages, Cleveland Play House, Berkshire Theatre Festival, the Curtain Theatre); THE CLOSER (GeVa Theatre — Davie Award, the Working Theatre); INSIDE OUT (commissioned and produced by Theatre for a New Audience, Portland Stage Company, Nebraska Repertory Theatre); THE LAST TEMPTATION OF JOE HILL (Working Theatre); BLANCO (Goodspeed Opera House Norma Terris Theatre); WHITE TRASH (West Bank Cabaret); SAN ANTONIO SUNSET (published in Best Short Plays and produced in New York, Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Mumbai). VOICES IN CONFLICT (created with Wilton, Conn., high school students, was presented at the Public Theatre, the Vineyard Theatre and the Culture Project). Holtzman wrote and executive produced the independent film Edge of America (2004 Sundance Film Festival Opening Night selection, Tribeca Film Festival, Nantucket Film Festival, Hamptons Film Festival, American Indian Film Festival — Best Picture) for which he received the Peabody Award, the Humanitas Prize, and the Writers Guild Award. He also wrote Blood Brothers (HBO, Cine Golden Eagle) and A Body to Die For (Emmy nomination). Holtzman received the HBO Award at the O'Neill National Playwrights Conference. He has taught writing to at-risk teens at Bronx Regional High School in South Bronx, and was the Lila Wallace Resident Playwright at Juilliard. He has worked with young writers through the 52d Street Project in New York's Hell's Kitchen and on the Navajo reservation. He serves on the board of New Dramatists (where as a member he received the Calloway Award) and Harlem Stage Company.
Book Information
| Publisher | BPPI |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2/11/2013 |
| Pages | 46 |
| ISBN | 9780881455601 |
Special Notes
Premiered at City Theater, Pittsburgh
New York premiere at Primary Stages
by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC
www.broadwayplaypublishing.com