Is anyone else going to the first preview of Red tonight?
I read Mark Rothko's wikipedia page and he sounds like fascinating subject material for a play. I love Sunday in Park With George so much, and it sounds like this could be in a similiar vein.
Stand-by Joined: 3/11/10
I'm going tomorrow night. I'm really looking forward to seeing it.
I just bought $25 tickets for March 28th. Can't wait!
Hope you love it. I saw the play knowing nothing about Rothko, and WOW was I impressed by this play. The writing and performances are BRILLIANT!
Just saw it. It was unbelievable... Molina was fantastic as was Redmayne. DEFINITELY worth seeing!
I got really excited thinking this was a thread about Sunday in the Park with George, haha.
I'm seeing this on Sunday! I'm getting excited!
ljay- I turned in early last night and didn't get a chance to type up my thoughts. Overall I thought it was terrific. Both actors were outstanding, and I would hope both actors be nominated for Tonys.
For one of the few times this year I actually thought about something while at the theater, and that was rather freshing. I think Rothko had an interesting life, and his ego, pretensions, perfectionistic attitude and passion for painting really made for a great character for Molina to sink his teeth into. Anytime he started yelling (usually out of nowhere) I thought it was pretty terrifying.
Redmayne had more of a character arc and as we watched Rothko's assistant become more and more sure of himself. The last 10 minutes or so was riveting as well as (spoiler?) a scene were they crank some classical music and paint an entire white canvas red in about a minute and half or so. It's thrilling and they both are covered with red paint by the end. (end spoiler)
Some may be bored with this one, but I really dug it and may try to see it again before the limited run is up. If you're a fan of art and/or really awesome acting then this is a must-see.
Saw this @ the Donmar in London and I have to say, Molina was great but Redmayne's performance was SUPERB! His Ken's long-waited confrontation with Rothoko near the end was absolutely thrilling! I walked out of the theatre overhearing audience member saying 'that face was born to act, just look at it!'... cannot agree more! I hope he wins the Oliviers and hope he gets Tony nominated!!!!
I hope US audience/critics will love them & the production!
And check out my drawing of the show in www.freewebs.com/felixchan
Stand-by Joined: 3/11/10
I just got in a while ago fro seeing it tonight, and I'm still processing the play, but that's a very good thing. Hands down the best play I've seen this season at the very least. There's so much there to process, I'm definitely planning a return visit.
Simply excellent.
I saw the show last night and was extremely surprised. I have to say I wasn't too excited about this one. I didn't even know what it was about going into it, not even that it was about art. But having said that I was actually blown away by this one. The acting was superb and the script is so incredibly smart. I have a feeling this show might become a big surprise hit and I do encourage anyone able to see it to do so.
Leading Actor Joined: 6/26/09
I really don't get what you all are getting so excited about! I saw it at the Donmar and thought it was incredibly dull. I struggled to stay awake!
This really is a play people are going to love or hate. That was the first thought I had after it ended.
Stand-by Joined: 3/11/10
I agree jordan. It will definitely be polarizing. I personally found it spellbinding from the first moment.
Spellbinding is a perfect word to describe how I felt, as well. The music had such a big part to do with that as well. The scenes set solely to the records playing were very emotional and effective for me.
"This really is a play people are going to love or hate. That was the first thought I had after it ended."
Dare I say, one I think only DUMB people will hate.
Went last night (one of the $25 seats), and was entranced. Standing ovation for Molina and Redmayne, but in one of the few times I've witnessed this on Broadway, after they did their two sets of bows, the audience kept roaring, and they came out a third time after the lights were starting to come up.
Audience seemed to love it.
I can see why some people might not be blown away by the play itself, but the actors are absurdly wonderful, and the creative team is one of my favourites (Grandage + Oram + Austin + Cork! *nerdgasms*), so the production overall comes out on top.
I did have an inkling that it might play better in the US than in the UK. We'll have to work out some way of quantifying that to see if I'm right or not. But it's totally worth seeing if you possibly can, if only because Eddie Redmayne is stunning in oh so many ways.
Stand-by Joined: 3/11/10
I agree with you MiracleElixir. I was in the back of the orchestra, and it was one of the rare times when people were starting the standing ovation before the stage lights even came up for curtain call. And yes, it definitely was nice to see them come back out again as the lights were going up. Truly a magical experience.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
Does Red have a student or general rush? If not, how are the $25 seats in the mezzanine?
I was in the very back row of the mezz. So uncomfortable, but so worth it for this play.
I think it's basically bloody brilliant. The moving canvas stuff goes on a little too long for my taste. I get why it's there, but I feel like it's adding a lot of time. Molina and Redmayne fill them well, but it really adds a lot of time.
Speaking of, both of them are fantastic. Didn't feel like acting at points. Two men, talking, about art, passionately.
Really, GO see this.
Eddies's just got the Olivier for Best Supporting Actor in a Play.
MiracleElixir wrote: "Dare I say, one I think only DUMB people will hate".
Making a statement that is so ignorant and arrogant automatically makes anything else you say suspect.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
"This really is a play people are going to love or hate."
Or have mixed feelings about, which is how I felt.
I guess that covers all bases.
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