Davidson Community Players will host a series of events in connecting with their upcoming production of Meir Ribalow’s art-focused play “Masterpiece,” beginning this Thursday, Feb. 17, with free screenings of the 2003 film “Girl with a Pearl Earring” at Our Town Cinemas.

Other events in the series include an acting workshop with actor, director and acting coach Martin Thompson, a lecture by Davidson College professor Nina Serebrennikov on the art forgery episode at the center of “Masterpiece,” and an audience talkback with “Masterpiece” playwright Meir Ribalow.

“Masterpiece” runs Feb. 25 to March 13 at Armour Street Theater in Davidson. It’s a drama that focuses on one of the most famous modern art forgery cases. The play follows Flemish artist Han van Meegeren, who successfully forges a “masterpiece” by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer to retaliate against a hostile and powerful art critic. The painting is sold for a small fortune, and it’s not until nine years later that a mysterious investigator appears and the unraveling begins. (Ticket information below.)

‘MASTERPIECE’ AND ITS EVENTS

Free screening: Girl with a Pearl Earring, Thursday, Feb. 17, 5 and 7:30 p.m., Our Town Cinemas, 227 Griffith St. – Free screening of the film “Girl With a Pearl Earring.” The film stars Colin Firth and Scarlett Johannson and is a biography of the artist Johannes Vermeer build around one of his most enduring portraits. Reservations required. Call 704-892-7953 to reserve your seat.

Martin Thompson

Acting workshop; “Making the Most of Your Monologue”, Saturday, Feb. 26, 1-4 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 N. Armour St., Davidson – Bring a monologue to work on in this class with Martin Thompson, actor, coach and the director of Davidson Community Players’ “Masterpiece.” Open to those at least 16 years. Registration limited to 10. Call 704-892-7953 to register.

Lecture: Nina Serebrennikov, Monday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m., Davidson College Belk Visual Arts Center, Main and Griffith Streets – Dr. Serebrennikov will speak on “The Ven Meegeren-Vermeer Forgery Episode and Art Authenticity.” Cal 704-892-7953 to reserve a seat.

On stage: “Masterpiece,” Feb. 25 to March 13, Armour Street Theatre, Armour and Watson streets – Davidson Community Players explores visual art with Meir Ribalow’s thrilling “Masterpiece.” Based on the actual events of the 20th century’s most notorious forgery scandal, the drama follows Flemish artist Han van Meegeren who successfully forges a “masterpiece” by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer to retaliate against a hostile and powerful art critic. The painting is sold for a small fortune to the Nazis, and it is not until nine years later that a mysterious investigator appears and the unraveling begins. Performances Feb. 24-26, March 3-5, March 11-12 at 8 p.m.; Sundays Feb. 27, March 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. General admission $18 adults, $15 seniors 65+ and $10 students. For tickets or information, www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[1]

Meir Ribalow

Meet the playwright/audience talkback, Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5, Armour Street Theater – Playwright Meir Z. Ribalow, author of “Masterpiece,” will talk following the evening performances on those nights. With 23 plays and 175 productions to his credit, Mr. Ribalow is a writer, director and teacher. He also is a critic for several periodicals and is a former production associate at NY Shakespeare Festival, founded the American Repertory Co. of London and is currently artist-in-residence at Fordham University and artistic director of North Carolina’s New River Dramatists.