On Stage with “Red” and Mark Rothko’s Artistic Passion – Performing Arts Theatre Series Fall 2011
"There is only one thing I fear in life, my friend… One day the black will swallow the red." – Rothko, Scene 2, "Red" by John Logan.
Please join us on Monday November 14, from 7-8 pm, at Toronto Reference Library and hear guest speaker Natasha Mytnowych, Associate Director of Programming for Canadian Stage. She will talk about Canadian Stage new production of "Red" by John Logan, directed by Kim Collier, which can be seen at Bluma Appel Theatre from Nov 19 to Dec 17, 2011.
"Under the watchful gaze of his young assistant and a threatening generation of new artists, celebrated 20th-century painter Mark Rothko struggles to create a masterpiece in the face of fame, fortune and commercialism." (Canadian Stage)
Red is a new play (2009) by the American playwright John Logan about the master of twentieth century abstract impressionism Mark Rothko (1903-1970). The play was first produced in December 2009 by Donmar Warehouse in London, after which its 2010 Broadway production won six Tony Awards, including Best Play. Canadian Stage, in co-production with the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre and the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, presents the Canadian premiere of Red, starring Jim Mezon as Mark Rothko and Davide Coomber as the artist's assistant Ken. Following the Toronto production, Red will tour to Vancouver and Edmonton.
The library has a number of books on Mark Rothko and the abstract expressionism style.
This is the fourth in our program on current Toronto theatre – On Stage Performing Arts Theatre Series – six lectures/six theatres. They are all being held free of charge at the Toronto Reference Library – Beeton Auditorium.
- “The Normal Heart” – hear guest speaker Joel Greenberg, Director and Artistic Director, Studio 180 Theatre on Monday, October 3, 7 – 8 pm.
- "Ghosts” – hear guest speaker Paula Wing, Associate Artist, Soulpepper Theatre Company on Monday, October 24, 7 – 8 pm.
- “The Children's Republic” – hear guest speaker Hannah Moscovitch, Playwright-in-Residence, Tarragon Theatre on Monday November 7, 7 – 8 pm.
- “Red” – hear guest speaker Natasha Mytnowych, Associate Director of Programming, Canadian Stage on Monday, November 14, 7 – 8 pm.
- “Topdog/Underdog” – hear guest speaker Philip Akin, Director and Artistic Director, Obsidian Theatre Company on Monday, November 28, 7 – 8 pm.
- “The Penelopiad” – hear guest speaker: Kelly Thornton, Artistic Director, Nightwood Theatre on Monday, December 5, 7 – 8 pm.
Here is a short video of playwright John Logan at the Tony Awards 2010, while discussing his play "Red", nominated and later announced winner for best play.
Did you know the Performing Arts Department at the Toronto Reference Library also had:
- an audition board of current plays and also extensive collection of monologues
- plays from across Canada in English and French and plays from around the world
- theatrical reviews
- clipping files on Canadian performances and organizers
- theatre programs from local theatre companies – both current and historical collections
- index to Canadian theatre productions
- original stage designs by major Canadian artists
- sound recordings of stage dialects, plays and comedies
- music scores – popular, classical, theatre and by instrument
- online literary criticism you can access from home or in a library branch
Watch veteran actor Jim Mezon bring Mark Rothko to life at the Canadian Stage production.
4 thoughts on “On Stage with “Red” and Mark Rothko’s Artistic Passion – Performing Arts Theatre Series Fall 2011”
A play about Rothko – Fascinating!
Where can we buy tickets, and how much are they?
Hi!
Our library theatre talk about the play and production is FREE to attend and everyone is welcome – Toronto Reference Library, Mon Nov 14, 7pm.
If you would like to get tickets to see the theatre production – please visit Canadian Stage at https://www.canadianstage.com for dates and tickets information.
Thank you!
One of the best plays about art I have ever experienced. funnily I don’t care much for Rothko as an artist but the play is making me total rethink my reaction to Rothko & abstract art.