Winthrop University Brings Broadway Hit "Red" To Johnson Theatre

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Who gets to define art? John Logan's "Red" asks this and other fundamental questions in this student-directed and designed studio theatre production at Winthrop University. The show runs Wednesday, Feb. 8-Saturday, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. in the Johnson Studio Theatre.

"What do you see?" Famed abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko (played by William Keen from Rock Hill) asks his young assistant Ken (played by Christopher Chewning from Blythewood) this loaded question. It's 1958, and Rothko has just been offered the biggest commission in the history of modern art. He and Ken work feverishly in his New York studio-until Ken begins to realize his answers to those questions about art are very different than his mentor's.

Winner of six Tony Awards, this compelling 90-minute drama is one of the most intellectually riveting shows to recently hit Broadway.

"Red" is directed, designed and performed entirely by students. Director Garrett Whiffen (Anderson) is a senior at Winthrop.

"My experience so far has been great," Whiffen said. "I have a great cast and design team who are all working their hardest to make this show the best it can be. I'm extremely grateful I got the chance to direct a full-length show this season."

Crew members include Sydney Taie (Goose Creek) as stage manager; Caitlyn Byrne (Summerville) as assistant stage manager; Ashley Jensen (York) as set designer; Dylan Carpenter (Inman) as lighting designer; Mariah Barrie (Rock Hill) as sound designer; and Bina Cummings (Columbia) as properties designer.

Whiffen hopes the audience will connect with the characters.

"The concept that made me want to direct this show here at Winthrop was how the play talked about the cycles of generations," Whiffen said. "This is something we are witnessing every day, with professors teaching students, the students graduating, and going on to take up the mantles of the people who taught them."

Tickets are $5 with a Winthrop ID and $10 for the general public on the Wednesday and Thursday show times. Tickets are $8 with a Winthrop ID and $15 for the general public for the Friday through Sunday show times. There is limited seating in the Johnson Studio Theatre. No late seating is permitted once the show begins. It is an approved cultural event.

For more information, contact Whitney Hough, director of communications and community engagement for the College of Visual and Performing Arts, at 803/323-2399 or houghw@winthrop.edu, or visit the website at www.winthrop.edu/arts.