By Pepper Parr
January 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The boys are at it again.
Mischa and Mel Aravena are part of a crew that will be putting on performances of Red, the six time Tony Award winning play, written by John Logan. The run begins January 29th at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC).
Nortesur Productions, a Burlington based group is behind this initiative. The company is made up of the two Aravena boys and their Dad.
Mischa is in the back, Mel in the foreground: moving the set for the Harold Pinter play “Betrayal” that they were painting in their driveway for a Hamilton Fringe Festival production.
They were work shopping Red in Hamilton when Brian McCurdy, Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre in Hamilton saw their work and decided to bring the production to Burlington.
McCurdy has done a lot to develop local talent on the BPAC stage.
Red, a dramatic production has won six Tony Awards.
Red is about Master Abstract Expressionist painter Mark Rothko has just landed the biggest commission in the history of modern art, a series of murals for New York’s famed Four Seasons Restaurant. In the two fascinating years that follow, Rothko works feverishly with his young assistant, Ken, in his studio on the Bowery. But when Ken gains the confidence to challenge him, Rothko faces the agonizing possibility that his crowning achievement could also become his undoing. Raw and provocative, RED is a searing portrait of an artist’s ambition and vulnerability as he tries to create a definitive work for an extraordinary setting. It is a fascinating exploration into the life of an angry and brilliant mind.
This level of critically acclaimed drama is not seen nearly often enough in Burlington.
The Aravena boys have had work in the Hamilton Fringe Festival. Mel does the production work – Mischa is the performer.
The production runs from Thursday January 29th through to Saturday February 7th.
Tickets available at the PAC box office.
Show Times
Jan 29 7:30 PM Feb 05 7:30 PM
Jan 30 7:30 PM Feb 06 7:30 PM
Jan 31 2:00 PM Feb 07 2:00 PM
Jan 31 7:30 PM Feb 07 7:30 PM
Tickets Available at the BPAC web site.
By phone: 905-681-6000
Regular Price: $29 + tax
Series Price: $25 + tax
Senior Price: $25 + tax
30 and under: $25 + tax
I saw RED at BPAC last night. It was thought provoking and touched on many angles including when Rothko realized that he was fading as being “in” and the Pop Artists were ascending. Despite his protests about the cerebral aspects of his art practice, he was torn with celebrity art and his convictions. Rothko was shown as self centred and very focused. I sense just the hint of some stereotyping but the play touched on Jackson Pollack’s drive as well. Rothko was shown as being very verbally abusive to his assistant, Ken. At the end of the play Rothko shows a sudden considerate behaviour towards Ken that shows his humanity and empathy. Ken’s character grew stronger as Rothko became more tormented but never weak imo. This is a powerful play. It is very unfortunate that Burlington theatre goers do not support it better. If Burlington wants innovative or even strong theatre it needs to come out to see the productions. The “house” was less than 25% full. frown emoticon It runs next weekend again. There were two events at BPAC last night with the other being a dance performance. There is culture being presented in the downtown. It needs more bums in the seats though!!!