By John Redmond
Expat group Probationary Theatre Company will present Adam Rapp’s darkly alluring tale, “Red Light Winter” at White Box Theatre in Seoul from June 22 to 24.
This Obie award winning drama and future Hollywood release (starring Kirsten Dunst and Mark Ruffalo) will be performed for one weekend only.
The provocative story between two U.S. college friends, Matt and Davis, and a prostitute, Christine, will be presented on a split-stage, taking place in Amsterdam and New York City.
Matt and Davis, now in their 30s, travel to Amsterdam in search of adventure. When Davis introduces Matt to the seductress Christine, he is smitten. After he discovers that Davis has already slept with her, he quickly sees that her feelings lie elsewhere. “Red Light Winter” not only shows how the people we truly care about can also produce feelings of enmity, but also why long-standing friendships can have an irrational, unhealthy history.
Director Stephen Glaspie wanted to push the boundaries and bring this edgy, modern story to the Seoul audience. This project has been a true collaborative effort. Designers living in Korea and the United States have been brought in to help create this production.
“It is amazing to see so many people working together to help tell this thought provoking show. This is the type of story that will have you talking long after the lights go out,” said director Stephen Glaspie.
The show will feature White Box Theatre veterans Achilles Lakes as Davis, Desiree Munro as Christine, and Seoul newcomer Dominic Thomas Schiffer as Matt.
“Bringing Christina to life is no easy challenge. Rapp gives us very few details about her past. He leaves it up to the actor and creative team to fill in the gaps and bring her to life. Getting to have so much room to play with this character has been one of my favorite aspects of the role,” commented Desiree Munro.
The company warns that this show is intended for mature audiences only. It contains scenes of nudity, adult language, and drug use.
With a cast of three, the play will be staged from June 22 through June 24. All performances will take place at White Box Theatre.
Performance times are 8 p.m. on June 22, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on June 23 and 4 p.m. on June 24.
Tickets are 15,000 won for 8 p.m. performances and 10,000 won (advanced booking only) for 4 p.m. performances. For more information please visit www.probationarytheatre.com.
White Box Theatre is located less than three minutes walk from Hyochang Park Station (subway line 6). Coming out of exit 2 of the station, make a U-turn and walk around the corner towards Hyochang Park Stadium. Do not walk straight from the exit. There are big green street signs in English showing the way to Hyochang Staduim. Walk past the tire store and take a right when you see the Eco & Deco Flower Shop on your right. Head up the slight hill. You should see Cosmai Cafe on your right. White Box Theater is in the basement of the building next to Cosmai Cafe. (Total walking time should not exceed five minutes.)
Stephen Glaspie (Director): 010-4793-6731 stephenmichaelglaspie@gmail.com
Probationary Theatre: 010-7788-9187 probationarytheatre@gmail.com.