2025/26 Season

The Recipe

World-Premiere Play

The Recipe

Feb 10 – Mar 22, 2026 | Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre

Written by Claudia Shear

Based on the book DEARIE by Bob Spitz

Directed by Lisa Peterson

How a girl from Pasadena became the world’s most beloved chef

Before Julia Child became the TV personality that we all know, she was a rambunctious rebel against the privileged but bland Pasadena life expected of her.

Directionless but driven, careening from Pasadena to New York to Washington D.C. to Ceylon and finally to Paris’s famed Cordon Bleu cooking school, she battled long odds, too-short sleeves, and her own self doubt before finding both her calling and her true love, her husband, Paul Child.

Two-time Tony Award nominee Claudia Shear and two-time Obie Award winner Lisa Peterson return to the Playhouse with a funny, colorful and delicious new play about the early life of an endlessly fascinating character – Julia, a girl from Pasadena – and her path from confusion to discovery, fear to strength, failure to success.


Ticket Information

Single tickets are now on sale. La Jolla Playhouse is the only authorized ticket seller for this production.

First Look (previews)*: Feb 10 – 14
Weeks 2 – 6: Feb 17 – Mar 22

* ‘First Look’ performances are the first week of the run (with some exceptions). First Look tickets are lower price and offer the opportunity to experience the show while the creative team are still polishing and making changes. This is a vital element of a show’s evolution, allowing the creative team to see the show through the eyes of the audience. Playhouse staff speak to the audience before the show starts, and the creative team may be seated near you taking notes. Please take this into account when purchasing tickets.

Duration
Approximately 2 hours and 15 mins including a 15 min intermission. As this is a new production, duration will be updated closer to the run dates. Please check back here and in your pre-show emails.

Content Guidance
This show is recommended for ages 12 and up. We understand sensitivities vary from person to person. Read about our age recommendations here. If you have any questions about content or stage effects, please get in touch with our Patron Services team at [email protected] or (858) 550-1010 and we’ll be happy to give you more info.

Ticket discounts
The Playhouse offers a range of ways to save on tickets, including Military, Student and Rush discounts, and $30 tickets in Area 3. Discounts are limited to early weeks of a show’s run and they sell fast. Discounts are subject to availability (not available after Nov 25) and conditions may apply. Read more here or call Patron Services at (858) 550-1010 for more info.

Casting is subject to change, sometimes with little or no notice. For example, artists may be added, withdrawn or substituted. If casting changes, we will endeavor to keep audiences informed via our website and other pre-show communications. Read attendance FAQs and ticketing terms here.


Audience Engagement Events

Enhance your Playhouse experience by attending these free events. Simply book your performance for one of the following dates.

Talkback Tuesdays: Tue, Feb 24 and Mar 3 after the 7:30pm show
Participate in a lively discussion with performers and Playhouse staff members immediately following the performance.

Discovery Sunday: Sun, Mar 1 after the 1pm show
Hear from guest speakers in a moderated discussion exploring the themes of the show.


Access Performance

ACCESS Performance (ASL interpretation): Sat, Feb 28, 2pm

The Playhouse caters for a wide range of access and special requirements. Access performances offer American Sign Language interpretation for patrons who are d/Deaf or hard-of-hearing, captioning for patrons to access on individual devices, and a relaxed welcoming environment for patrons with sensory sensitivities. Audio Description for patrons who are blind or have low vision can be requested in advance. Please call (858) 550-1010 or email [email protected] and we will work with you to address your access needs. Find more info about access here.

Sensory Friendly Guide
Read the Sensory Friendly Guide for the Potiker Theatre here


Useful Information

Parking
UC San Diego’s Theatre District Parking Structure is across the road from the Playhouse. Ticket buyers can pay for parking on-site at the ParkMobile website parkmobile.io. Subscribers get free parking. Find all parking information here.

Health and Safety
La Jolla Playhouse no longer requires patrons to wear masks indoors while attending our theatres. However, we recommend indoor masking while at La Jolla Playhouse. Please visit our health and safety page here for the latest information.

Dining

James’ Place
La Jolla Playhouse’s on-site restaurant, James’ Place, is open for dinner service at 5pm nightly (Tue – Sun). Please note, James’ Place is not open prior to matinee performances. James’ Place offers full bar service and a selection of specialty sushi, Asian fusion, steak & coastal cuisine items. Reserve your table on OpenTable or by phone on (858) 638-7778. Indoor and outdoor seating available. View the menu here.

Dora Ristorante
Dora, across the street from La Jolla Playhouse, is now accepting reservations for dining dates Tue – Sun starting Nov 18. A new southern Italian coastal concept from Chef Accursio Lota and the team behind Cori Pastificio Trattoria in North Park, Dora Ristorante offers handmade pastas, Mediterranean-style seafood and pre-theatre dining in a transportive space by Bells + Whistles. See their website for opening hours. As you exit the parking structure walking towards the Playhouse, Dora is on the left. Learn more at doralajolla.com and make a reservation through OpenTable.

Concessions
Concessions opens 60 mins before showtime. Come early to relax outside and enjoy a selection of beer, wine, cocktails, sodas and individually wrapped snacks. All food must be consumed before entering the theatre while concession drinks with lids will be allowed in the theatre.


Production Sponsors

Drs. Edward and Martha Dennis
Lynn Gorguze and Scott Peters
Becky Moores
Playhouse Partners
Robin and Larry Rusinko
Pamela J. Wagner and Hans Tegebo

Sanford Burnham Prebys logo

Morrison Foerster logo

Recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award

Julia Child image, photograph & related rights™/© 2014
The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts

Cast & Creators
Image of Claudia Shear Claudia Shear Playwright
Image of Lisa Peterson Lisa Peterson Director
Venue Info

Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre

The Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre is a black box flexible theatre seating up to 450 patrons, and the centerpiece of the 6,500-square-foot Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center.

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