The Bluebarn Theatre Launches 2012-2013 Season with RED Tonight, 9/27

The Bluebarn Theatre begins its twenty-fourth season with RED by John Logan, which opens tonight, September 27th and runs through October 20th. RED, the 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Play is the story of master abstract expressionist, Mark Rothko, who was commissioned to paint a series of murals for New York City’s famed Four Seasons Restaurant. Working aggressively and feverishly with his young assistant, Ken, Rothko confronts the agonizing possibility that this crowning achievement could cause his ultimate destruction. Raw and provocative, RED is the searing and vulnerable portrait of an exacting artist striving to create a definitive work for an extraordinary setting.

RED stars Jerry Longe as Mark Rothko and Brendan Reilly as Ken. Bluebarn’s Producing Artistic Director Susan Clement-Toberer directs, with scenic design by Martin Scott Marchitto, costumes by Jenny Pool, lighting design by Liz Kendall Weisser, and Sound Design by Martin Magnuson.

Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. from tonight, September 27 to October 20 with special performances on Sunday, October 7 and 14 at 6 p.m. Season tickets are available through October 20 at $80 for adults and $64 for Students and Seniors 65+. Single ticket prices are $25 for adults and $20 for students, seniors 65+, TAG members, and groups of 10 or more. For more information, visit www.bluebarn.org.

Jerry Longe is a professional Equity actor who has spent the past 30 plus years here in Omaha. His most recent role at the BLUEBARN was that of Barry Champlain in TALK RADIO . Other BLUEBARN credits include THE DRESSER, THE ICE FISHING PLAY, ARCADIA, Little NellIE’S NAUGHTY NOEL, and TOXIC AVENGER – THE MUSICAL. Other roles include George in MOON OVER BUFFALO, Theodore Roosevelt in TEDDY AND ALICE, Charlie in THE FOREIGNER, Mac Sennet in MAC AND MABLE, and Kris Kringle in MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET. He can also be seen around Christmas time as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Omaha Playhouse production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. His film roles include TRUMAN with Gary Sinese, A MIRACLE OF THE HEART with the late Art Carney, LOVELY STILL with Martin Landau and the recently released independent film, THE SCIENTIST. His voice can be heard on numerous local and regional radio and television commercials as well as on the cartoon series STREET SHARKS, LIBERTY’S KIDS, STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, and HORSELAND.

Brendan Reilly is making his BLUEBARN Theatre debut with the role of Rothko’s assistant, Ken. His recent roles include Raskol in RASKOL at the Great Plains Theatre Conference, Machinist/ Nazi Soldier/ Reagan in PASSION PLAY for 21 & Over, at the Omaha Community Playhouse, Monsieur Loyal in TARTUFFE for Brigit St. Brigit, and Friar Lawrence in MUSIC ALIVE! with Nebraska Shakespeare Festival and Omaha Symphony. He received the TAG Award for his role in DARK PLAY, OR STORIES FOR BOYS at University of Nebraska-Omaha, and was nominated for an OEA Award for his role in BRICKI AN A CAPPELLA MUSICAL.

The BLUEBARN Theatre has been bringing professionally produced plays to area audiences since its inception in 1989. Since that time, BLUEBARN has produced over 80 plays and has established itself as Omaha’s premier Contemporary Theatre company. Striving to bring artistically significant scripts and professional production values to Omaha and the surrounding region, BLUEBARN is known for high- quality entertainment and the fearless pursuit of stories that challenge both theatre artists and patrons.