SEEING RED?
Reddy or not, here I come! Not talking about hide and seek, but John Logan’s TONY award-winning RED, the cerebral, engaging play now having its exhibition on stage at the BROOKS THEATRE in Oceanside. The community’s fledgling OCEANSIDE THEATRE COMPANY, under the artistic leadership of Ted Leib, continues to plant its flag in the San Diego theatre scene with thoughtful, professional drama. For example, this reviewer still has vivid memories of PICNIC and OUTSIDE MULLINGAR to name a couple. (Oh…and yes, I do know how to spell “ready” FYI.)
The two-hander in question explores not only the meaning of Art, but how it is perceived depending on the audience. The abstract expressionist Mark Rothko takes on a new assistant and reminds the young man from the beginning that he exists as an employee only and that “painting” for him will never be in the cards.
Logan’s play centers on a commission to.paint a series of murals for a newly constructed Four Seasons restaurant in a brand spanking new, architectural marvel in NYC – the Seagram building. That leads to much philosophizing plus introspection complete with numerous confrontations and power shifts, etc. This reviewer is not going to paint himself in a corner, but the interactions and connections between these two are vital and in flux, rather than staid. The dialogue crackles with an intensity and honesty that explores not only their dynamic, but also digs into what may be at the core of movements such as these and – in particular – Mr. Rothko himself.
Does the audience care whether or not the Abstract Expressionists stamped out the Cubists? Are they fascinated with the impact of Pop Art on Rothko and his contemporaries? Certainly…and to that must be credited the structure of this TONY award-winning play of a few seasons back. John Logan’s canvas, with its word images vibrant as ever, is worthy of hanging in any museum. This might be an appropriate place to mention that the Oceanside Museum of Art collaborates with this theatre company in arranging a Brooks Gallery exhibit accompanying this production.
Now to the actors inhabiting this “studio” with such passion over the course of the two years in focus during the playl First, it’s important to observe that Carol Naegele designs the spare setting with sensitivity and practicality.
“Mark Rothko” (Robert May) prowls his domain, alternating as an intimidating force of nature and a pompous professor with surety in his back pocket. Whenever he is not lording over his cowering “employee”, he is schooling him on the finer points of the true artist’s responsibilities along with the baggage of his own assessments as well. His judgments concern those who have trod the path before him and those who muddy the waters (or the oils as it were) in these exasperating times. Mr. May creates a believable “Rothko”, totally immersed in his profession while tousling with his own identity as the world sees it and as he lives it.
The assistant (Luke Monday) could be the character with the more challenging task in Mr. Logan’s vision. He must play the milquetoast, bowing down to the master’s every whim. At the same time, though, he must shift the power meter as he continues his studies, developing a self-concept that expands beyond the confines of this studio into the world beyond these walls. Mr. Monday meets the acting challenges resolutely. His previous featured performances in MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS and BILLY ELLIOT (wonderful in their own right) prove to be far eclipsed by this venture – a breakthrough for this young man’s career. Bravo!
Kevin Hafso-Koppman directs these players with distinction and deserves a citation to prominently display on his own easel.
Special shout out to Crystal Burden managing the stage behind the scenes. As is the case with many local stalwarts not in the limelight, she is a cog in a very complicated wheel. Actors rely on the expertise to support their work on stage.
On the OCEANSIDE THEATRE COMPANY’s palate of accomplishment, RED cannot be brushed away. It lingers…oh so vividly!
Theatre Curtain Calling… Reviewing the Situation
