Alfred Molina as Mark Rothko in "Red"

Red, a play starring Alfred Molina and Eddie Redmayne, focuses on a certain period in the artist Mark Rothko’s career when he is commissioned by Philip Johnson to create a series of murals for the Four Seasons Restaurant in the Seagram’s Building in New York City. An artist driven by his passion as well as his theories and morals on art, he was regimented in his routine keeping “bankers’ hours.” He yearns to make art that moves people and makes them think—a true Abstract Expressionist in every sense of the word. His large-scale canvases made of strong colors and rectangular forms haunt the viewer. Depending on the distance stood from his canvases the patches of color recede or extend out towards the viewer causing a mesmerizing dizziness. The title of the play comes from the intense hue used in all of the works from this series—as his assistant says, the color of dried blood.

Molina and Redmayne

Whether you are a Rothko afficinado or a novice you must see this play; both actors give outstanding performances and at a short 90 minutes, this is one you can’t miss. The last two rows have $25 seats during previews so no excuses.