Windfall’s ‘Red’ colors artist with passion

By Katherine Beeson

Published Oct. 2, 2019

 “What do you see?” 

This is the first line of the intriguing drama “Red” presented by Windfall Theatre.

“Red” is the story of Marc Rothko in 1958-1959 as he contemplates and then paints murals designed to hang in The Four Seasons Restaurant in the prestigious Seagram Building in New York City. While Rothko and this commission actually happened, “Red” adds a fictional assistant, Ken. (Alfred Molino played Rothko on Broadway and Eddie Redmayne won a Tony for his portrayal of Ken.) 

In this two-man show, Rothko uses Ken as an employee, preparing canvases (adding the ground cover). Ken is an unwilling recipient of Rothko’s frequent rants and, ultimately, as a sounding board. At this time in his life, Rothko is almost obsessed by the artists who preceded him, by his place among his contemporaries (Picasso, Dali and the spirit of Pollock) and, increasingly, by those who are coming up behind him (Johns, deKooning and Warhol.) It is this Rothko that Ken discovers when he begins his two-year employment in the artist’s studio. 

Bo Johnson delivers this Rothko with intensity. Johnson digs in, and we see and hear the passion Rothko felt as he compares painting and art to the works of Shakespeare and Nietzsche. Johnson’s Rothko bemoans the fact that so many people have no idea how to look at art but are too worried about acquiring a picture for above the fireplace – the “over mantels.”  

I felt Johnson’s performance was very powerful, but I would have liked to see his intensity dip just a bit and let us see a contemplative glimpse of Rothko. When Ken comes in for his first day Johnson, as Rothko, almost barks out that first question, “What do you see?” While it becomes obvious how Rothko will be treating Ken, an emotional ramp-up to this would have felt more natural. Likewise, when Rothko/Johnson makes the decision about his murals, there needs to be room -- a moment, a beat -- for the audience to experience what the artist felt as he reaches for the phone. This being said, Johnson gives a stellar portrait of this driven, tortured artist.  

Mohammad N. ElBsat shares the stage as Ken. His Ken proves to be a worthy opponent to Rothko as he learns to answer Rothko’s challenges with opinions of his own. ElBast shows Ken’s growth from timid assistant to a man sharing his own life tragedies and how these shape his outlook on life and painting.  

The verbal parrying and sparring between Rothko and Ken is riveting and these two actors command the stage in these intense moments. Director Carol Zippel brought a strength and passion to this show and really lets the audience experience Rothko intimately.  

“Red” is a one-act written by John Logan. The show runs through Oct. 12 with a “Pay What You Can” night on Oct. 7. Windfall Theatre is located within Village Church Arts, 130 E. Juneau Ave. Visit windfalltheatre.com for all details.