Red @ Burien Actors Theatre (Burien)

The awe-struck Ken arrives at the New York studio of abstract expressionist Mark Rothko in the late 1950s. Rothko has been commissioned to paint a series of murals for the prestigious Four Seasons restaurant for a fee of several thousand dollars (about $375,000.00 in 2024 dollars). When asked why he never paints outdoors, Rothko replies, “Nature doesn’t do it for me. The light’s all wrong.”

True to the man it explores, Red revolves around a great contradiction, with dialogue that crackles along and snippets of humor at just the right moments. Winner of the 2010 Tony Award for best new play. Written by John Logan.

Location: Kennedy Catholic High School theatre (140 S. 140th St, Burien)

Tickets ($25) here.