LOGLINE: Audiences are taken on a private tour through the history of Michelangelo’s “David” — which their guide plans on destroying.

BRIEF OVERVIEW: As an unnamed Art Restorer/Tour Guide leads a private tour through La Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence, Italy, interacting with the audience to describe the peculiar history of the David statue, as well as their own personal history, we slowly discover they are grieving the death of their son David, and have gathered this private tour because they believe the only way to heal is to destroy the most beautiful thing in the world: Michelangelo’s David. Funny, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting, DESTROYING DAVID is an ode to the beauty, resilience, and power of art to help us through our darkest hours.

Total running time: 75 minutes.

Reviews for the World Premiere at Circle Theatre

“Destroying David is a triumph. Mesmerizing from start to finish. Brilliant and beautifully layered. This is a work of art about a work of art. ... Destroying David needs to be seen. ... Don’t miss the brilliant world premiere production.” - Broadway World, Dallas

“Superb! Imaginative! Pure stage magic! Without straining, Destroying David shifts from fascinating history to a statement about how everything we love eventually disappears." – The Dallas Morning News

“A Theatrical Triumph! A masterpiece! A once-in-a-lifetime theatrical experience… Masterfully written … Utterly breathtaking.… Keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, balancing poignant introspection with unexpected moments of levity. The journey unfolds with surprises at every turn, leaving spectators captivated, hearts pounding, and yes, eyes welling with tears. Every detail combines to create a powerful, unforgettable experience. A must-see, unforgettable night of theatre. Don’t miss your chance to witness theatrical brilliance.” - Artsy Scoop

“Destroying David is a marvel. An unexpected, emotional bit of story-telling. Compelling… a true feat of imagination. A story of timeless art and everyday grief. A meditation on mortality, both human and artistic.” - On Stage, Texas

REVIEWS FROM VARIOUS WORKSHOPS
at Harbinger Theatre & Burien Actors Theatre

"A fascinating new play! An ode to the beauty, resilience, and importance of all art. A lovely, sad and uplifting portrait of a person in pain who is saved by love of beauty rather than the destruction of same. Both eloquent and passionate… playwright Jason Odell Williams has the remarkable ability to deliver an enormous amount of information in a way that is illuminating beyond simple metaphor. This is a work where language is the star." – The Troy Record

"An exciting, tour de force production! Destroying David has us questioning many of the flawed things about life, love, loss and the fragility of the world around us. A very relevant message in today’s troubled world. Just when you are tearing up, [Williams] deftly breaks the tension and has you laughing out loud. A sheer delight from start to finish. It is very much worth your time." – Nippertown

"Wonderful! Beautiful! Alive and vivid! This is a play of thoughts brought into the verbal world just as Michelangelo’s David was brought out of the marble. Sometimes I think a play is extraordinary but this time it is the total experience that stands out as something special." – The Berkshire Edge

"Destroying David is easily one of my favorite BAT shows to date. This show is original and comes from a place of love. In a way it is a love letter to the statue of David. Destroying David brings up questions about grief, the flaws in things, and the purpose of art. Excellent! Real and grounded… this show is one of BAT’s best… make sure not to miss it." – Westside Seattle