Red

Particularly if you are an art fan, you will enjoy this play. Lots of art references, and great for art teachers. Entertaining and a good story.

It was an interesting play for me as I am a retired art teacher. I was not very familiar with Rothko works. The acting was superb. Both actors were the characters they represented in action and demeanor. They were so convincing in their roles that I became involved emotionally. The set was great.

I enjoyed this production very much. Both actors were excellent I wouldn't mind seeing it again. Is success the tragedy?

I saw "Art" years ago in Toronto and was expecting a somewhat similar play about a solid colored canvas and the dialogue that would follow...is it art? This play was so much more. When it ended, I wanted to talk to the actors to tell them how intensely this production affected me, but had to leave lest I embarrass myself with tears. Two actors, no intermission. Riviting dialogue and superb acting. I was familiar with Mark Rothko and his work but the program was a great help for those less familiar. We never see the canvas being discussed but the dialogue gives us insight into what the Abstract Expressionists and specifically the Color Field painters were working toward. There was humor in Rothko's responses to his assistant and his thoughts on his contemporaries but the overpowering feeling that Rothko had about his art and the newer artists coming up with the next "ism" was what was most memorable. We knew he was sick. I knew he'd commit suicide. The best play I've seen in a long time. (excluding "Bitch Bares All" which was the very best.)

I think "Red" has such a specific topic - Rothko's paintings - that if you go in not knowing a thing about modern art or Rothko's paintings, you'll have a hard time visualizing what's really going on through a lot of the play. The actors spend a bit of time "staring" at the paintings, which are pretended to be hung right between the audience and stage, but do not exist on stage. So unless you can also imagine what they are seeing during their discussion, you'll be a little lost. The discussion was often about "what art really is" and to whom, which at that time of 1958-9 was wildly changing again (or more), and change may have been accelerating. I could definitely imagine Alfred Molina's voice and facial expression on the actor we saw, but not because the actor was doing an impression. I think it was just the writing and staging that evoked that for me, knowing he was the original cast lead. The theater was terribly empty. Too bad so many people missed such a great play performed by talented locals.

Columbus, Ohio is so fortunate to have the highly talented Kevin McClatchy in our midst. Don't miss seeing him in anything he does!

I loved the play. Very powerful performance that sometimes even gave me goos bumps. Well done!

"Red" is an interesting play if you know/like the era of Mark Rothko, the painter. The lead actor in the Catco production was strong enough for the part, but the young aspiring artist was pretty good without being equally strong. Also, and this is no fault of the production, the insertion of the story about the tragic murder of the young artist's parents seemed melodramatic. I guess we were supposed to see that the meaning of a particular color can be very personal; but this was like hitting a nail with a sledgehammer. The set was perfect. It was an enjoyable evening. A general comment about theater in Columbus, Ohio: a real theater, instead of the inadequate and antiseptic Riffe Center, is sorely needed. Cincinnati has a fabulous theater, completely professional; this city is crying out for something of the same caliber.

"Red" was one of the best plays I have ever experienced. I was on the edge of my seat through most of it. The dialogue was powerful as was its delivery. The performance makes you ponder art's place in our culture and it gave me new tools on how to explore Rothco's work. I am so looking forward to making my way to the Art Museum to see the exhibit there.

Wonderful show with memorable performance by actors & a script that gives insight into Rothko' s art

Mark Rothko is a comlex artist, and portraying the golden age of his life takes skill and courage. The CATCO team performs the story of "Red" with both. Kevin McClatchy siezes every inch of the main character and helps the audience understand Rothko's mastery of his craft and inability to master his own emotions. Tim Simeone keeps pace with McClatchy and his "Ken" is a well-played innocent foil to Rothko's complexity. These performances coupled with detailed set design and a perfectly intimate setting make this a play worth experiencing... twice!

It is difficult to even recall the plot. I am glad there was not a intermission. The acting was good.

As a theatre professional from New York, but new to Az., I was thrilled to discover that Tucson's Arizona Theatre Company could bring in a show of this quality! The entire production- from the sets to lighting and sound to the actors' performance - was absolutely stunning! "Red" is thought- provoking, profoundly moving, gently humorous, and thoroughly engaging.

Outstanding production with first rate acting and amazing effects!

This was our first time to this venue and we really enjoyed it!!! I thought the play was very good and the actors did a great job. It was directed very well too! I only wish there had been an intermission, since it was hard to sit there for 90 minutes, especially after just having been out for dinner. I highly recommend the play and the venue!

A forgettable play. Too much talking... Too esoteric for me...

After reading about the awards won by the play Red, and being an artist myself, I thought I should attend. It was not that good. There were some interesting ideas put forth in the dialogue, but nothing new. If you want to see a play about a self important older man lecturing a younger man who eventually gets mad at the older man, then this play is for you. The actors did their best, and they were fine. The play itself talked about emotion, but did not really show anything about who the characters were in ways other than dialogue. And there are situations or tableaux that can cause emotion without dialogue. The play is too didactic, and the situation too static.

If you are only interested in live and vivacious conversations,this play is for you. But after a few minutes, you realize that the conversations are only superficial. The actor playing Rotko tried his best to revive this boring torrent of words.

Enjoyed the show. Thought the 2 actors did a great job. How to know all those lines!

"Red" was a terrific night at the theater. A tour de force by the two actors, who are on stage for 90 minutes without pause. Really fun for art lovers and a poignant look inside the life of Mark Rothko, the Russian emigre whose work is now sold for many millions.

Amazing! Insightful, philosophical, deep, engaging, thoughtful, and passionate. Great acting, intriguing scene design. Loved it :)

Takes time to develop the characters but once it does it is really entertaining. Thank goodness we don't have to suffer for Rothko's art. He chose to suffer enough.

RED was IncREDible!!! Amazing performance......inspiring!

Loved the dialogue. The use of lighting between vignettes was wonderful. I felt time passing. It reminded me of Citizen Kane.

Very well written and well staged. It helped to know Rothko's work and to be familiar with the other artists that were mentioned in the dialogue. Without that knowledge , the play would have been less engrossing. My wife and I both really enjoyed it. The Wells Theatre is a great venue.

Red was a well acted performance. It was an insight look at Mark Rothko's life as an artist. The venue is cozy and personal. This show will appeal to an intellectual arts crowd. I don't think this would appeal to a mass audience, with limited set changes and number of actors it can become dull. This show will appeal to the true arts fans or an older generation. I am glad I saw the play but would not go for the show a second time.

'Red' was a great show. The actors were excellent. The theater is small, intimate and full of history. I will definitely attend shows there in the future.

Was just ok for me (storyline). The antagonist goes on many rants, which were well acted, but then predictable. Too "artsy fartsy" for me.

Great venue for any concert. To have a place where you can sit in between sets and a place for your garb and beverages made it very comfortable, without sacrificing atmosphere. All four bands were great and it was right up there with the other concerts. Thank you for hosting this concert and God bless.

play was a bore. The acting was mediocre and the plot was 1 dimensional. The only thing I got from this play was a little insight into the life of Mark Rothco.

Great Venue,sound for Red could have been better.Real enjoyable evening ,all the bands were great :)

RED's FULL SET is INSANE!!!!!!!! RED is INSANE!!!!!!!!!!! Those guys know how to ROCK!!!!!! The IN-YOUR-FACE ROCK of RED is UNFORGETTABLE!!!!!! They know how to put on a REAL ROCK SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRIAN "HEAD" WELCH is also really good live!!!! He opened for them.

Such a great experience! If you have not seen these guys, then you owe it to yourself to see a show.