RED Begins The Rep's 45th Season Tonight

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents Red by John Logan. This intriguing and fascinating play will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, September 7 - October 2, 2011.

Curtain times are Tuesday at 7 pm; Wednesday-Friday at 8 pm; selected Wednesday matinees at 1:30 pm; Saturday matinees at 5 pm; selected Saturday nights at 9 pm; Sunday matinees at 2 pm; and selected Sunday evenings at 7 pm.

Ticket prices start at just $16 (previews) and $19 (regular performances). To purchase, visit The Rep Box Office, located inside the Loretto-Hilton Center, charge by phone by calling (314) 968-4925, or visit The Rep's Online Box Office at http://www.repstl.org.

Major sponsorship for this production is provided by Centene Charitable Foundation. Additional support provided by James G. & Catherine Berges, Russell E. & Barbara O. Browning Family Foundation, John & Alison Ferring, Steve & Linda Finerty, Ronald & Cheri Fromm, Kenneth & Nancy Kranzberg, Jean-Paul & Isabelle Montupet and Michael & Noemi Neidorff. Red is a part of the American Arts Experience-St. Louis. (http://www.americanartsstl.org/).

Raw and electrifying, Red exposes the tormented mind of abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko (1903-1970). Red introduces us to Rothko at a time when his career has skyrocketed, having been offered a once-in-a lifetime commission at New York's new modernist masterpiece, the Seagram Building. Tasked with filling the building's Four Seasons restaurant with murals, Rothko embarks on a huge undertaking with the assistance of a new apprentice, Ken.

As he nears the completion of the murals, the questions of his young assistant force Rothko to examine both his motives for creation and his place in the pantheon of great artists. Urgent and all-consuming, this 2010 Tony Award-winning play takes you inside Rothko's studio and paints a searing portrait of the ambition, vulnerability and agony inherent in the art of making art.

Born Marcus Rothkowitz in 1903 Latvia, Rothko and his family came to America in 1913 to escape the poverty and persecution that befell Jews under the reign of Catherine the Great. At age 20, Rothko began studying art at the Art Student's League. After decades of personal and professional toil, Rothko arrived at a style that would characterize his career and set his place as one of art's true masters.

The original stage presentation of Red was first produced by the Donmar Warehouse in London in December 2009.

The cast of Red at The Rep is Matthew Carlson (last seen in The Miracle Worker) as Ken and Brian Dykstra at Mark Rothko.

The Rep's production of Red is directed by Rep Artistic Director Steven Woolf.

The creative staff also includes Michael Ganio, set designer; Dorothy Marshall Englis, costume designer; Phil Monat, lighting designer; Rusty Wandall, sound designer; Jeffrey Carter, music consultant; Glenn Dunn, stage manager; and Shannon B. Sturgis, assistant stage manager.

For more information about The Rep's production of Red including a guide introducing the characters, plot and background on the play; photos related to the production; and more, visit The Rep's comprehensive public website at http://www.repstl.org.

Founded in 1966, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is a fully professional theatrical operation belonging to the League of Resident Theatres, The League of St. Louis Theatres and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre. It operates independently of, but under a mutually beneficial agreement with, Webster University. The Rep operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. The Rep hires directors and choreographers who are members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and stagehands who are members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Financial assistance for this theatre has been provided by the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis; the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes that a great nation deserves great art. The Rep is also grateful for support by more than 1,100 generous individuals, families, corporations and foundations throughout the communities we serve. Thank you.

 

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