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Read Jim Lowe, Arts Editor of The Times Argus' review of LNT's RED.

June 12, 2016
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reprinted courtesy of The Times Argus
original date: June 6, 2016

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Theater Review: ‘Red’ delivers the artistic temperament

By Jim Lowe
Staff Writer

(photos courtesy of Robert Eddy, First Light Studios)

RED - rothko studies his paintings, photo Robert Eddy

MONTPELIER — Joshua (john) Logan’s Broadway play “Red” is not only a fascinating look at American abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko, it delves deeply into the place of art and artists in a capitalist society.

Lost Nation Theater opened a truly potent production of this two-person drama, one that proved quite entertaining as well at Saturday’s performance. Performances run through June 19 at Montpelier City Hall Arts Center. 

“Red,” set in Rothko’s Bowery studio in 1958, imagines Rothko’s interaction with a fictional new assistant as he works to complete a series of paintings commissioned for the Four Seasons restaurant in the brand new Seagram Building on Park Avenue. Confronting the largest commission to date, his new assistant Ken and Rothko’s own conscience challenge the artist. The fast-paced, intense dialogue not only explores this question, but the meaning of art and life itself. 

Rather than a pedantic discussion, though, “Red” delivers Rothko’s internal drama, warts, vitriol, humor and passion. And Lost Nation’s fine production, directed by Douglas Sprigg, shared all these qualities. 


Kim Bent, Lost Nation’s founding artistic director, gave Rothko real artistic “temperament” with plenty of edge.
 He also delivered Rothko’s humanity, both in terms of the artist’s insecurity and his closely guarded compassion for others. It was a powerful performance.
 

That power was leveraged by New York actor Levi Penley’s particularly dimensional take on Ken. As Ken’s emotional security with the great artist builds — the 90-minute play covers two years in vignettes — so does his confidence, and the willingness to question the short-tempered Rothko. Bent and Penley “lived” this interaction convincingly and authentically.

Mark Evanchko created a realistic ’50s artist’s studio, Rothko paintings and all, and lit it effectively. Cora Fauser’s costumes, though not period accurate, were appropriate and attractive. 

Lost Nation Theater’s “Red” is 90 minutes of high-powered, rewarding theater — with an art lesson thrown in.

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