WASHINGTON, DC.- The Washington, D.C., premiere of the 2008 off-Broadway play, “A Brush with Georgia O’Keeffe,” will be performed as a staged reading at the Smithsonian American Art Museum Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. Written by playwright Natalie Mosco and directed by Robert Kalfin, the play takes an innovative and fresh look at the life of Georgia O’Keeffe and her ascent to prominence as the most celebrated American artist of the 20th century. Mosco will portray the artist while fellow cast members Virginia Roncetti and David Lloyd Walters represent various people in O’Keeffe’s life, including Alfred Stieglitz, her photographer husband.

Tickets cost $25 for the general public and $20 for museum members and can be purchased by visiting the museum’s online calendar at americanart.si.edu, or by calling (202) 633-8490.

This program is presented in conjunction with the exhibition, “Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams: Natural Affinities,” on view at the museum through Jan. 4, 2009. The first exhibition to pair these two artists, it explores the significance of their achievements in capturing the reality and essence of the world around them.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is located at Eighth and F streets N.W., above the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, admission is free. For general Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000 or TTY (202) 633-5285. Web site: americanart.si.edu.