It has been too long since I have unreservedly recommended a play performing in the Los Angeles area. The wait is over with the Mark Taper Forum's presentation Donmar Warehouse production of John Logan's "Red," which depicts a brief time in the late 1950's career of painter Mark Rothko.
Everything about this production, which I first saw during its Broadway run, is superlative. The production- from Michael Grandage's direction, to the set, to the sound, to the lighting is superlative. When I first saw this play in New York, I thought perhaps the production outshined Logan's writing, but on second viewing I am even more taken with the play itself. It takes on many weighty themes- art, commerce, commerce and art (especially timely given the fights going on over at MOCA these days), mentorships, celebrity, excess wealth, mental health and more. Whew- can any play do any justice to such varied themes in one 90 minute show? It is to Logan's credit that his play, supplemented by Rothko's art, handles these themes deftly and intelligently without seeming facile or false.
As in the London and New York mountings of this play, Alfred Molina is nothing short of outstanding as Mark Rothko. And in an upgrade of the prior versions of this show, the Taper has cast Jonathan Groff as Rothko's assistant, and he is a major improvement over his predecessor that I saw in that role (Eddie Redmayne). Groff convincingly plays a young artist who is able to equal Molina in the key moments of the show, something I felt Redmayne could not do. Now both actors cast in the show are giving stunning performances.
After I saw "Red" the first time, I felt I had gained a new appreciation and understanding of Rothko's paintings. The next Rothko painting I saw gained more depth the longer I looked at it. I am happy to report that this is how I now feel about this wise and moving play. "Red" plays the Taper through September 9- don't miss it.
A quick note about my last trip to New York, on which I saw Sydney Theater Company revival of Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya," featuring Cate Blanchett. The estimable translation and star turn by Ms. Blanchett made this an "Uncle Vanya" to enjoy and savor. I also enjoyed the play "Slowgirl" which premiered the great new small LC3 space built on the roof of the existing Lincoln Center theater complex. Sadly, both productions have closed.
