Red: Donmar's production to play B'way from 11 Mar

The critically acclaimed Donmar Warehouse production of Red, a new American play by John Logan about the master of twentieth century abstract impressionism, Mark Rothko, will open on Broadway on 1 Apr 2010, following previews from 11 Mar and will play a limited 15-week engagement through to 13 Jun 2010 at the John Golden Theatre.

Red will star Alfred Molina and Eddie Redmayne, who created their roles in the world premiere production this winter at the Donmar. The production will be directed by Donmar artistic director Michael Grandage. Red will mark playwright Logan's Broadway debut.

"Following the wonderful response to Hamlet earlier this season, I am delighted the Donmar will be returning to Broadway to present John Logan's brilliant new play," commented director Grandage. "With two outstanding performances from Alfred Molina and Eddie Redmayne, this thrilling 90-minute piece about the great New York artist Mark Rothko now has an opportunity to engage with a wider audience."

"I am so honored to continue a wonderful partnership with the Donmar, under Michael Grandage's brilliant leadership," said producer Arielle Tepper Madover. "This is the fourth Donmar production I've moved to Broadway, following Frost/Nixon, Mary Stuart and Hamlet, but it's a special thrill to be presenting the Donmar's electrifying production of this great new American play on Broadway."

Red is set in 1958 as New York artist Mark Rothko (Alfred Molina) has received the art world's largest commission to create a series of murals for The Four Seasons restaurant in the new Seagram building on Park Avenue. Under the watchful gaze of his young assistant, Ken (Eddie Redmayne) and the threatening presence of a new generation of artists, Rothko faces his greatest challenge yet: to create a definitive work for an extraordinary setting.

Red is an account of one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century, whose struggle to accept his growing riches and praise became his ultimate undoing.

Red opened 8 Dec 2009 at the Donmar. Reviews : "Its psychological torsions come thrillingly alive." (Evening Standard); A brilliantly acted production...Recommended." (The Independent); "It strikes me as a second-rate piece" (Daily Telegraph); "Fascinating...melds high-minded debate with splashes of humanity." (The Mail); "Skilful production...Superb" (The Stage.)

The production is designed by Christopher Oram, with lighting design by Neil Austin. Composer and sound designer is Adam Cork.

Red will be produced by Arielle Tepper Madover.

Alfred Molina (Mark Rothko). For the Donmar: 'Destry Rides Again.' He has appeared on Broadway in 'Art' and 'Fiddler on the Roof,' on both occasions he was nominated for Tony Awards. London credits include 'Night of the Iguana' and 'Speed-the-Plow' (National Theatre), 'Serious Money' (Royal Court); 'Can't Pay? Won't Pay!' (Criterion), 'Taming of the Shrew' (RSC). On film he has has been nominated for Baftas for 'An Education' 'Frida' and 'The Accountant.' Other notable film work includes 'The Da Vinci Code,' 'Spider Man 2,' 'Prick Up Your Ear,' and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark.'

Eddie Redmayne (Ken) is making his Broadway debut. For the Donmar: 'Hecuba.' London Theatre credits: 'Now or Later' (Royal Court) and ' The Goat.' Films include 'Black Death,' 'The Yellow Handkerchief,' 'Glorious 39,' 'Savage Grace,' 'The Other Boleyn Girl,' 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age,' 'The Good Shepherd,' 'Like Minds.' Television: "The Pillars of the Earth," "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," "Elizabeth I".

John Logan (Playwright) has written 14 plays including 'Never the Sinner,' 'Hauptmann,' 'Speaking in Tongues,' 'Scorched Earth' and 'Riverview.' His new adaptation of Ibsen's 'The Master Builder' appeared on the West End in 2003. Logan's work as a screenwriter includes 'Sweeney Todd,' 'The Aviator,' 'Gladiator,' 'The Last Samurai,' 'Any Given Sunday' and 'RKO 281.'

Michael Grandage (Director) is Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse. Previous work for the Donmar includes 'Hamlet,' 'Madame De Sade,' 'Twelfth Night' and 'Ivanov '(Donmar West End at the Wyndham's Theatre - Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Awards for Best Director), 'The Chalk Garden' (Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Awards for Best Director), 'Othello,' 'John Gabriel Borkman,' 'Don Juan in Soho,' 'Frost/Nixon' (also West End and Broadway), 'The Cut,' 'The Wild Duck' (Critics' Circle Award for Best Director), 'Guys and Dolls' (Donmar in the West End - Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production), 'rand Hotel' (Evening Standard Award for Best Director, Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production), 'Henry IV', 'After Miss Julie,' 'Caligula '(Olivier Award for Best Director) and 'Passion' by Peter Nichols. Other West End work includes 'Evita.'

The Donmar Warehouse is one of London's leading producing theatres and has garnered critical acclaim at home and abroad for its catalogue of work. Since 1992, Donmar-generated productions have received 35 Olivier Awards, 20 Critics' Circle Awards, 21 Evening Standard Awards and 14 Tony Awards. Productions on Broadway include 'Hamlet,' 'Mary Stuart,' 'Frost/Nixon,' 'Cabaret,' 'Electra,' 'The Blue Room,' 'The Real Thing,' 'True West,' 'Nine' and the Public Theater and Donmar collaboration of 'Take Me Out.'

Alfred Molina as 'Mark Rothko'

Originally published on

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