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Philadelphia, PA | September 25, 2024, South Philadelphia-based theater company Theatre Exile (1340 South 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147) opens its highly anticipated 28th season on October 24 with John Logan’s Tony Award-winning play RED. Matt Pfeiffer directs the production, capturing the world of abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko, a towering figure in modern art, as he grapples with the tension between artistic integrity and commercial success. Opening Night for RED takes place on Friday, November 1. Tickets are available online for the production, with a run time of 100 minutes, closing on November 10.

Philadelphia theatre icon Scott Greer returns to the Exile stage to resurrect the tortured soul of Rothko opposite emerging actor Zach Valdez in the role of the enigmatic artist’s assistant, Ken. Greer and Valdez unite onstage for the first time since The Motherf**ker With the Hat (2022), also produced at Exile, making their reunion in this production a highly anticipated event. Greer’s portrayal of Rothko promises to be a centerpiece of the production, bringing a depth and intensity that has become a hallmark of his work.

Written in 2009, John Logan’s RED was born from the playwright’s fascination with Mark Rothko and his conflicted relationship with artistic commercialization and fame. In December 2009, the play premiered at Donmar Warehouse in London’s West End, eventually transferring to The John Golden Theatre on Broadway, where it was produced in association with Arielle Tepper Madover. RED received widespread acclaim in its initial run, earning six Tony Awards, including the award for Best Play in 2010. The play examines the costs of artistic compromise through its powerful meditation on the clash between tradition and innovation. RED’s celebrated central figure, Rothko, finds himself questioning whether the very thing he fears most, his color “red,” being overtaken by “black,” might be happening to him in multiple ways.

Set in the late 1950s in Rothko's New York City studio, the play presents the artist at a pivotal moment in his career, reflecting on the larger question of what it means to remain faithful to one’s art in a world increasingly driven by commerce. As Rothko faces one of the biggest commissions of his life, painting aseries of murals for the upscale Four Seasons restaurant, he begins to wrestle with whether this project aligns with the authenticity of his work. Throughout the play, Rothko engages in intense conversations with his young assistant, whose presence challenges him to confront the future of art and the next generation's role in shaping it.

“Exile’s season-opening production challenges audiences to examine who our creators are, not only inside the art world. RED offers a mirror to society, reflecting the tension between generations and a powerful exposition on generational shifts,” said Deborah Block, Producing Artistic Director at Theatre Exile. “Rothko’s struggle to remain relevant reveals a universal battle: the need to pass the torch, to make space for emerging perspectives. This play gives us a chance to witness that struggle, and it reminds us that society, like art, must always evolve to let new voices emerge.”

At the heart of RED is the intense relationship between Rothko and his assistant, as it unfolds through sharp, often intrepid exchanges about art and culture. As Rothko commits brisk paint strokes to his canvases, the two men exchange critiques of the rising pop art movement, which Rothko sees as shallow and devoid of emotional depth. Their heated debates unveil the deep-seated anxieties Rothko holds about the relevance of his work in an evolving art world. In one unforgettable moment, Ken forces his mentor to confront whether taking on such a high-profile commission could be viewed as selling out his artistic soul.

Rothko wrestles with the fear that his work might be fading as the world shifts around him, while Ken grapples with his place in an art world dominated by giants. The play captures that moment when the next generation stops waiting to be handed the reins and instead claims its voice. Ken's journey from insecurity to agency mirrors the challenge facing young artists: to embrace the future without losing sight of the past, to find their voice by challenging the old guard, and to earn their place not by inheritance but through conviction and bold expression. Rothko’s exposition ultimately creates a powerful backdrop for Matt Pfeiffer’s direction in Theatre Exile’s production of RED.

Pfeiffer, whose celebrated work is well-known throughout Philadelphia, reunites with six-time Barrymore Award-winner Scott Greer as Rothko. The two previously collaborated in Theatre Exile’s 2015 production of Samuel D. Hunter’s The Whale, for which both earned Barrymore Awards, Greer for Best Actor and Pfeiffer for Best Director. Their reunion in RED promises a compelling exploration of Rothko’s volatile personality, brought to life through Greer’s powerful and dynamic performance.

Scott Greer portrays Rothko’s tortured psyche, revealing the vulnerabilities and insecurities beneath his larger-than-life persona and exposing Rothko’s internal and artistic battles. A well-regarded artist of Philadelphia’s theatre community, known for his extensive work across the city’s stages, Scott Greer has performed with many of the region's top theatre companies. In addition to The Whale, Greer’s previous collaborations with Exile include The Motherf**ker with the Hat (2022), Rizzo (2016), North of the Boulevard (2013), and Shining City (2010). His career spans 30 years, reaching beyond local stages to include the Actors Theatre of Louisville in Kentucky, the Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland, and The Pearl Theatre in New York. Greer is also a distinguished recipient of the prestigious F. Otto Haas Award for Emerging Theatre Artists (2002).

As Greer delivers the vigor of Rothko’s character, South Philly-based Set Designer Colin McIlvaine brings Rothko’s physical world to life, staging a dynamic studio environment that mirrors the painter’s mental and emotional states. McIlvaine’s immersive design invites audiences into Rothko’s workspace, reflecting the intensity and chaos of his creative process with an interplay of color, light, and space. McIlvaine is joined by Costume Designer LeVonne Lindsay, Lighting Designer Maria Shaplin, and Sound Designer Christopher Colucci to complete the creative team, making the studio itself a character in the drama.

With its inventive artistic team of creators and Scott Greer's powerhouse performances, RED offers a thought-provoking exploration of passion, ego, and, ultimately, sacrifice in examining what it takes to create art that matters and the price that must sometimes be paid. Under Pfeiffer’s visionary direction, this production of RED is expected to be a standout piece in Theatre Exile’s season, exploring themes that are as relevant now as they were in Rothko’s time.Tickets for RED are available now at www.theatreexile.org.

TICKET & SPECIAL PROMOTION INFORMATION

Post-show discussions follow the November 3, 6, and 7 show dates and are included with each engagement. Theatre Exile hosts Industry Night on Monday, November 4.

Audiences can choose from a variety of three-show Flex Pass Subscriptions for Theatre Exile’s season. Single tickets for Theatre Exile’s upcoming productions are available starting September 5.

Subscription sales are available online, with packages starting at just $45. Purchase tickets online or by calling the Theatre Exile box office at 215-218-4022. For more information, visit theatreexile.org and follow Theatre Exile on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

PRESS DATES

Friday, November 1, at 8 p.m.

Saturday, November 2, at 8 p.m.

Sunday, November 3, at 3 p.m.

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About Theatre Exile

Theatre Exile is a three-time 2023 Barrymore Award-winning non-profit theater company dedicated to enhancing the cultural experiences of Philadelphians by staging works that engage the imagination since it was founded in 1996. Theatre Exile strives to reach new audiences throughout the community by presenting new works and established plays, often reinterpreted in original ways. These productions emphasize freedom of expression through innovation, exploration, and provocation. At the same time, Theatre Exile provides a safe and creative environment where local artists can grow, experiment, and find their voice. Learn more about Theatre Exile’s 2023/24 season, purchase tickets, and more by visiting www.theatreexile.org.