One of the two characters in “The Morini Strad” is a violin restorer who loves what he does. Watching him painstakingly repair a damaged Stradivarius is to see a true craftsman at work.
The same is true with this new drama by Willy Holtzman (“Hearts,” “Sabina”) being presented by Primary Stages: Loosely inspired by the true story of a concert violinist and former child prodigy, it’s a lovely theatrical chamber piece that’s both expertly written and performed.
That violinist is Erica Morini (Mary Beth Peil), now an elderly widow living alone in her fine Fifth Avenue apartment, her dearest possession the priceless Strad on which she performed her entire career. When it becomes damaged just as she decides to sell it, she turns to Brian (Michael Laurence), a little-known restorer.
“Violinists are a necessary evil,” Brian tells us, in one of many direct addresses to the audience. The imperious Erica, meanwhile, is all too assured of her musical stature.
“Your playing is right up there with the best,” he tells her upon hearing one of her old recordings.
“Not the best?” the imperious Erica responds.
Despite their differences, the two find themselves bonding over their love of music and the instruments used to create it.
“The Morini Strad” covers predictable territory in its observations about art, life and love. And the relationship between the two characters calls to mind any number of similarly themed dramas.
But the dialogue is often sharply funny, and Casey Childs has elegantly staged it for maximum effect. Classical music lovers will savor the insider-ish details, as well as the lovely musical interludes performed live by young violinist Hanah Stuart.
Peil, long a star of musical theater (“Follies,” “Nine,” “The King and I”) — she also plays Jackie Florrick on TV’s “The Good Wife” — is both amusing and moving as the self-possessed Erica, while the quietly appealing Laurence offers sterling support.
It may not be a major work, but “The Morini Strad” hits all the right notes.