NY Magazine Features a Theatre and an Art Critic's Debate About RED

New York Magazine recently featured an article where theatre critic Stephanie Zacharek and art critic Jerry Saltz debate about the recently opened play RED by John Logan, surrounding the life of abstract expressionist Mark Rothko. Zacharek and Saltz discussed certain moments of the play and how they feel about the play's treatment of Rothko's life and work.

Zacharek said of the play, "The show does hint at Rothko's strangely alluring qualities. I kept wishing he'd shut up, then I'd rush to write down one of his bodacious kernels of windbaggery, realizing that he was getting at elusive notions about art and work in a strangely unfussy way. Still, we're hit with an awful lot of talking at first."

Saltz said he was worried the play focused too much on Rothko's successes in, what he called, "art-world legend." Saltz said, "I calmed down once I decided the play's real content is depicting the crushing loneliness of the studio and the fear, self-hate, delusion, and shame that go into making art you believe in."

To read the full article from New York Magazine, click here.

RED stars Alfred Molina and Eddie Redmayne, who created their roles in the world premiere production at the Donmar. The production is directed by Donmar artistic director Michael Grandage. RED marks playwright Logan's Broadway debut.

RED is set in 1958 as New York artist Mark Rothko (Alfred Molina) has received the art world's largest commission to create a series of murals for The Four Seasons restaurant in the new Seagram building on Park Avenue. Under the watchful gaze of his young assistant, Ken (Eddie Redmayne) and the threatening presence of a new generation of artists, Rothko faces his greatest challenge yet: to create a definitive work for an extraordinary setting. RED is a moving and compelling account of one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century, whose struggle to accept his growing riches and praise became his ultimate undoing.

RED opened December 8, 2009 at the Donmar. The production was nominated for three 2010 Olivier Awards, including Best Play, with Eddie Redmayne winning the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

The production is designed by Christopher Oram, with lighting design by Neil Austin. Composer and sound designer is Adam Cork.

Tickets ($116.50-$25) are available throughTelecharge.com by phone at 212-239-6200 or online at www.telecharge.com. Performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 8:00 PM with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00, Sunday at 3:00 PM. Beginning the week of April 12, Tuesday performances are at 7:00 PM. For more information, visit www.RedOnBroadway.com.