Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

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Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  2w, 2m

Edward Albee

Winner! 5 Tony Awards including Best Play, 1963
Nominee: 2007 Olivier Award, Best Revival of a Play
Winner! 2013 Outer Critics Circle Award, Outstanding Revival of a Play
Nominee: 2013 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Revival of a Play
Winner! 2013 Drama League Award, Outstanding Revival of a Play
Nominee: 2013 Tony Award, Best Revival of a Play
Nominee: 2018 Olivier Award, Best Revival of a Play

The original Broadway production of this play was a shattering and memorable experience and proclaimed the author as a major American playwright.

Image: 2022 Yale Repertory Theatre Production (Joan Marcus)

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 2m

Details

Summary
George, a professor at a small college, and his wife, Martha, have just returned home, drunk from a Saturday night party. Martha announces, amidst general profanity, that she has invited a young couple—an opportunistic new professor at the college and his shatteringly naïve new bride—to stop by for a nightcap. When they arrive the charade begins. The drinks flow and suddenly inhibitions melt. It becomes clear that Martha is determined to seduce the young professor, and George couldn't care less. But underneath the edgy banter, which is crossfired between both couples, lurks an undercurrent of tragedy and despair. George and Martha's inhuman bitterness toward one another is provoked by the enormous personal sadness that they have pledged to keep to themselves: a secret that has seemingly been the foundation for their relationship. In the end, the mystery in which the distressed George and Martha have taken refuge is exposed, once and for all revealing the degrading mess they have made of their lives.
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Media

"Winner of the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play. The Broadway production of this play was a shattering and memorable experience and proclaimed the author as a major American playwright. "This is a Big One." —NY Journal-American. "…a scorching, scalding, revealing and completely engrossing drama." —Women's Wear Daily. "…a brilliant piece of writing." —NY Herald-Tribune.

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  • Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

    Image: 2022 Yale Repertory Theatre Production (Joan Marcus)

  • Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

    Image: 2022 Yale Repertory Theatre Production (Joan Marcus)

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Authors

Edward Albee

Edward Albee

Edward Albee (1928-2016) was born on March 12, 1928, and began writing plays 30 years later. His plays include The Zoo Story (1958), The American Dream (1960), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1961-62, Tony Award), Tiny Alice (1964), A Delicate Balance (1966, Pulitzer Prize a ...

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