Casting Announced for RED at Portland Center Stage

Portland Center Stage welcomes veteran screen and stage actor Daniel Benzali to the Gerding Theater to star in the upcoming production of Red. Written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter (Hugo) and playwright John Logan, Red will be directed by PCS Associate Artistic Director Rose Riordan. The production begins preview performances on Tuesday, February 21, opens on Friday, February 24 and runs Tuesday through Sunday through March 18, 2012. Tickets start at $34, with student and under-30 discounted tickets available for $20. Rush tickets are $20.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays and matinees at noon on select Thursdays. See the show calendar at www.pcs.org/red/ for the complete performance schedule. Tickets can be purchased online at www.pcs.org, by phone at 503.445.3700 or by visiting the box office located at 128 NW Eleventh Avenue.

An intense bio-drama of the renowned modern artist (and Oregon-raised) Mark Rothko, Red earned critical laurels in its New York run last season. Set in the 1950s, when Rothko was commissioned to create a series of large pieces of art for the new Four Seasons Restaurant, Red tackles big questions about art—what it takes to create it, and where it belongs in our world. But perhaps more importantly, the play invites us to experience a legendary artist through the lens of the assistant brought on to help him with a project Rothko is not so sure he can accept completing.

Daniel Benzali, PCS’ Rothko, received a Golden Globe nomination for the role of TEd Hoffman in the acclaimed television drama Murder One. He also had a recurring role in NYPD Blue and co-starred in The Agency. Mr. Benzali’s film work includes co-starring with Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi and Mira Sorvino in The Grey Zone; co-starring with Christian Bale and John Hurt in All the Little Animals; and with Wesley Snipe and Diane Lane in Murder at 1600. Mr. Benzali is one of the few American actors to become a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in England. He co-starred, as Max, with Patti LuPone in the world premiere production of Sunset Boulevard in London. He also starred as Juan Peron in Evita in London. Mr. Benzali has acted in theaters throughout the U.S., including Yale Repertory Theater, Arena Stage and the McCarter Theater. He appeared on the stage of the famed Old Vic Theater in London with Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen in Holiday and has recently played the role of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman.

The role of Ken, Rothko’s impressionable new assistant, will be played by San Francisco-based actor Patrick Alparone. Mr. Alparone was recently seen in Period of Adjustment and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at the San Francisco Playhouse and in Adam Bock’s new adaptation of Phaedra directed by Rose Riordan. Other theater credits include; Hamlet in Hamlet, Feste in Twelfth Night and JJ Rock in Man of Rock.

Scenic Designer Daniel Meeker will create the Rothko’s art studio, supported by Lighting Designer Diane Ferry Williams. Costumes will be designed by Jeff Cone. Sound Designer Sarah Pickett and Stage Manager Mark Tynan round out the creative team.

The production of Red is part of the city’s celebration of Mark Rothko, which includes a major retrospective of his paintings at the Portland Art Museum from February 18 – May 27, and a performance of the piece “Rothko’s Chapel” by Third Angle Music Ensemble on March 10, also at PAM. For more information on events related to the Rothko celebration, visit www.rothkopdx.org.

Additional support for this production has been provided by Marcy & Richard Swartz, Mark & Ann Edlen, Ronni LaCroute/Willakenzie Estate and The Boeing Company. Portland Center Stage's 2011/12 season is funded in part by Umpqua Private Bank, our lead corporate champion; the Regional Arts & Culture Council and Work for Art; the Oregon Arts Commission; the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation; Helen and Jerry Stern; and Tim & Mary Boyle. The Mark Spencer Hotel is the official hotel partner for Portland Center Stage.

Portland Center Stage inspires our community by bringing stories to life in unexpected ways. Established in 1988 as a branch of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, PCS became an independent theater in 1994 and has been under the leadership of Artistic Director Chris Coleman since May 2000. The company presents a blend of classic, contemporary and original productions in a conscious effort to appeal to the eclectic palate of theatergoers in Portland. PCS also offers a variety of education and outreach programs for curious minds from six to 106, including discussions, classes, workshops and partnerships with organizations throughout the Portland metro area.

THE GERDING THEATER AT THE ARMORY houses a 599-seat Main Stage and the 200-seat black box Ellyn Bye Studio. It was the first building on the National Register of Historic Places, and the first performing arts venue, to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification. The Gerding Theater at the Armory opened to the public on Oct. 1, 2006. The capital campaign to fund the renovation of this hub for community artistic activity continues.

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