Prepare to explore art from all angles.

There’s a moment in Boutcher Theatre’s Red that brings to mind a scene in the popular film, The Devil Wears Prada where Miranda Priestly is teaching her assistant a harsh yet valuable lesson about fashion.  Meryl Streep’s Priestly, who is loosely adapted from real life legendary and longstanding Vogue editor Anna Wintour, is tough and in some scenes intolerable, but her expert eye for fashion cannot be denied, even as she is hurling curt remarks and antagonistic slights.  In the scene, Priestly describes Anne Hathaway’s Andi’s blue sweater as not just blue nor lapis or turquoise, but cerulean representing an artistic and particular style of fashion. 

During an intense scene in Red which focuses on real life abstract impressionist and tough mentor Mark Rothko, Rothko, portrayed charismatically by Dan Kelly, is teaching his assistant, Chloe Olwell as Ken, about embracing art.   After Ken describes Rothko’s painting as red, Rothko urges Ken to ‘think more’ after an impassioned speech in which he suggests infusing magenta, crimson, burgundy, maroon and scarlet!  Rothko is rigid, arrogant, and mysterious, but knows art.  He urges Ken not to just see a painting, but to feel it, love it, and have it wash over you.

Directed insightfully by Bradley Boutcher, Boutcher Theatre presents John Logan’s Red live and in person continuing at the Peabody Black Box Theatre in Peabody, Massachusetts through September 8.  The show delves into some adult themes including trauma.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Littered with open art supplies, splattered paint and half done canvases, Boutcher’s red hued scenic design with some pieces from Jessica Algard, creates an authentically sprawling and lived in studio including a cozy couch and a vintage record player playing mostly classical music and occasionally setting the mood within the scene especially notable when the studio is bathed in a haunting blue light.  With a mix of formal and paint splotched casual attire, Boutcher’s symbolic costume design with some pieces from Maureen Festa, demonstrates each character’s unique style while also blending into Algard’s scattered and colorful setting.

 Red is somewhat of an evolution as Rothko shares his artistic vision with his assistant who admires his work.  Rothko candidly shares endless stories on art, literature, and his journey to becoming a successful artist occasionally breaking the fourth wall.  He is currently working on an elaborate mural project for a hefty paycheck to be created for a ritzy New York City hotel.  Olwell’s Ken is much more than meets the eye when at first attempting to make a good impression wearing professional attire that Rothko barely notices.

Smoking real cigarettes, drinking, and on little sleep in a windowless room, Dan Kelly engagingly infuses a mix of pessimism, rueful, and heady enthusiasm into Rothko and Olwell is a thoughtful, practical and a force not to be underestimated.  They share a mentor and assistant relationship and at times worthy adversaries, but as subjects become more personal, there is almost a romantic spark to their increasingly incendiary exchanges as both begin to realize the complexity within each other’s artistic minds to unexpected results.

Logan’s script offers interesting, imaginative and relatable angles in which to appreciate and experience art.  At one point, Kelly as Rothko muses, ‘Art is a risky act setting it out in the world.’  What does it really mean to be an artist and what is truly important setting your vision out into the world?   The answer may bring new insight into your experience with art as well.

  Directed insightfully by Bradley Boutcher, Boutcher Theatre presents John Logan’s Red live and in person continuing at the Peabody Black Box Theatre in Peabody, Massachusetts through September 8.  The show delves into some adult themes including trauma.  Click here for more information and for tickets.