THE PLAY: Painter Mark Rothko is creating a series for the Four Seasons restaurant. Not really a plot, but a conversation about art: it’s creation, it’s appreciation and the artist’s relevance. It takes place over 2 years with his hired assistant.
THE PRODUCTION: Luckily, David Bridgewater is an accomplished actor, because it takes someone of great skill to effectively pull off the self-absorbed, pompous character. Maxwell Eddy’s earnest performance (as the assistant) holds his own in the sounding-board role. The studio set is a realistic knockout and the lighting adds appropriate mood. Director Christopher Owens shows an assured hand that keeps the non-stop dialogue interesting. Note to David: blend the makeup base all the way over your bald pate to conceal the stubble.
THE POINT: If you like high-minded discourse about art, you’ll find this production interesting.