Photo Flash: First Look at RED at Walnut Street Theatre

Walnut Street Theatre's 2015-2016 Independence Studio on 3 season continues with the Tony Award-winning Best Play, RED. Written by John Logan and directed by Dan Olmstead, the production begins started previews last night, February 23, opens tomorrow, February 25, and continues through March 20 in the Walnut's Independence Studio on 3. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the stars onstage below!

RED is a thrilling portrait of Mark Rothko. This brilliant abstract expressionist has just landed the biggest commission in the history of modern art. He has been chosen to create a series of murals for New York's historic Four Seasons Restaurant. As classical music blasts from his record player, the painter works feverishly with his young assistant, mixing paints and building canvases. His creative process brings us an intense portrait of the artist, exposing his ambition and his vulnerability. Audiences will join us in our studio as this working visionary meets his match with the blank canvas. Will Rothko's crowning achievement also be his undoing?

Dan Olmstead returns to the Walnut to direct. Olmstead directed Walnut's 2014 production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in the Independence Studio on 3. Additional directing credits include Fool for Love, Daddy Unchained, Jesse and the Bandit Queen, The Medieval Mystery Plays, and Jack, or the Submission. Many Walnut audience members recognize Olmstead's work on stage from numerous productions including Amadeus, Harvey, Good People, Fallen Angels, The Constant Wife, Finian's Rainbow and 1776. His film credits include The Manchurian Candidate, Beloved and Philadelphia.

The Walnut welcomes back David Volin in the role of Mark Rothko. Volin was seen on the Walnut's Mainstage in The Odd Couple, and in the Independence Studio on 3 in Moll. Regionally, he has performed with Paper Mill Playhouse (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), New Jersey Repertory Company (The Women of Lockerbie), Arkansas Repertory Theatre (Frost/Nixon) and Gloucester Stage (Enigma Variations), among others. Daniel Fredrick returns to the Walnut's Studio 3 as Rothko's assistant Ken. Studio 3 audiences will remember Fredrick from last season's world premiere Mickle Street, where he played Oscar Wilde. His regional credits include 1812 Productions (Shoplifters), Lantern Theater (Hound of the Baskervilles), Quintessence (Diary of a Madman), Trinity Shakespeare (Romeo) and WaterTower Theatre (Laughter on the 23rd Floor).

The tight quarters of Rothko's working studio, swollen with the intensity of artistry, will be created by Set Designer Roman Tatarowicz (I Love a Piano). Tatarowica will be joined by Costume Designer Jillian Keys (Miss Nelson is Missing!), Lighting Designer J. Dominic Chacon (A Moon for the Misbegotten, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice) and award-winning Sound Designer Christopher Colucci (And Then There Were None).

Tickets are $35-$35 and are now available at 215-574-3550 or 215-336-1234. Tickets are also available at walnutstreettheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.

Photo Credit: Mark Garvin

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