Red

By: John Logan

Narrated by: Jonathan Groff, Alfred Molina

The artist Mark Rothko has just hired Ken, an aspiring artist, to be his assistant and errand boy. Ken discovers that Rothko's temper can run hot, but as he gets to know his boss better, he finds that Rothko has opened him up to more than just painting.

A 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Play.

An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring:<

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Alfred Molina as Mark Rothko

Jonathan Groff as Ken

Directed by Bart DeLorenzo. Recorded by L.A. Theatre Works before a live audience.

©2011 John Logan (P)2013 L.A. Theatre Works

Critic reviews

RED John LoganRead by Alfred Molina, Jonathan GroffWhen the first sound effects punctuate the silence, listeners know they have joined a live audience to experience this L.A. Theatre Works staged reading. Ken, a young assistant to Abstract Expressionist painter Mark Rothko, is starting his first day in Rothko's New York studio. Jonathan Groff skillfully projects Ken's hesitancy as he tries to suss out his new job, and his bigger-than-life employer. Alfred Molina, as Rothko, IS bigger than life. He's huge, in voice and temper, and conveys Rothko's immense intellect and artistic vision. Listeners are immediately drawn into the power of this drama, and the script teaches and engages. The sense of being part of the live audience in wait for the next explosion of activity is palpable. A terrific example of the success of listener engagement in recorded plays. R.F.W. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2013]

Brilliant and over too soon

Anyone who likes art or to think deeper than what they like will love this play. Molina’s dialogue easily slips into monologue, underscored by Groff’s quips and eventual arguments. It’s beautiful, tragic, funny, and Red.

Excellent

Aftershave listening this play you will have open eyes for colors, and art, and the sacrifices of artists and the genie of Rothko.

What is RED?

It’s intense. It’s funny. It’s a gut shot. It’s nuanced. It’s a play so wonderfully crafted you don’t need to know a thing about Rothko the artist to be moved by. It’s brilliantly performed by two extraordinary talented actors. It’s another example of why Logan is maybe the best playwright we have. What is RED? It’s blood on the soul. It’s brilliant.

One of my favourite plays ever

I love Rothko as much as the performances in this play. Which is to say, a lot.

Wonderful performances!!!

I had never heard about this play before, and now I'm buying the text on Amazon as we speak. The story is awesome, the character of Rothko is very interesting, egocentric, a troubled artist and flawlessly played by Alfred Molina, his voice expresses so much that it grabs you, and you can't stop listening. Jonathan Groff plays his assistant, an aspiring artist who knows how to deal with Rothko's ego, and their conversation goes to dark and amazing places, teaching about art, life and what you hold on to from your past. I truly loved this play and the performances!!! Wouldn't mind hearing it again