Sanctum of Rothko's New York Studio

This recorded-live performance of John Logan’s Tony Award-winning 2010 play Red revolves around American abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko. Under the watchful gaze of his young assistant—and the growing competitive presence of a new generation of artists—Rothko takes on his greatest career challenge yet: to create a definitive series of paintings for the ritzy Four Seasons restaurant in the new Seagram Building on Fifth Avenue in NYC. The play is set in the painter’s New York studio in 1958 and 1959.

This production – a revival of the 2009 world premiere at the Donmar Warehouse in London – was performed and recorded at Wyndham's Theatre in London in 2018. It stars Alfred Molina as Mark Rothko and Alfred Enoch as his assistant, Ken. It is directed by Michael Grandage. Scenic and costume design is by Christopher Oram. Lighting design is by Neil Austin. Sound design is by Adam Cork.

Purpose:

To form a cohesive, insightful, elegant and entertaining critical essay/review by integrating second-source information into your own observations. Implicitly answer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s questions: What is the artist (John Logan) trying to say; Did the artist succeed; Was it worth the effort? Please note that, unlike the previous writing assignment, no first draft of this essay is to be submitted for evaluation prior to a final draft submission. Before you begin writing this essay, read over the feedback provided on your previous essay to help identify your strengths as a critical writer and thinker and the things that need improvement.

Methodology:

(a) Thoroughly research the play and playwright prior to or immediately after your viewing;

(b) Watch the performance, balancing your ability to be emotionally involved in the performance and remaining critically detached;

(c) Take notes during the performance that identify/describe aspects of the play, production and the performances that are significant. Be reminded that you should attempt to ignore the camera work and editing in this recording, since these things do not occur in live theater. Focus on the play and its staging; and

(d) Write a 750-1000 word essay that critically reviews the story – that is, the play (mention the playwright) – as well as the storytelling – that is, the production (mention the name of the theatre, the director, and anyone else deemed worthy, and the performances (the two actors). Use your lede as a blueprint and make sure your essay serves to explain your reaction. Your essay should be descriptive, interpretive and analytical, isolating elements that are particularly noteworthy, exploring what is so noteworthy about them and how their impact on the audience is achieved and explaining what the reader is to do with that information. Submissions of less than 750 words or more than 1000 words will not be accepted.

Make sure your writing logically leads to the conclusion that the reader either attend or avoid this play/production. As with the previous assignment, this essay should have a lede, a 2nd paragraph description of the subject, several paragraphs of description and analysis, and a kicker. Feel free to add an appropriate title.

Audience: Readers of The Plain Dealer. Assume that your work appears in the entertainment section of the newspaper. Write accordingly.

Basic Requirements: This essay must be word-processed (normal margins, 12 pt. font) with proper spelling, grammar and sentence structure.

Your final draft must be submitted with a word count and an attached list of all research sources (not to be included in the word count)