Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, play in three acts by Edward Albee, published, produced, and debuted on Broadway in 1962. The action takes place in the living room of a middle-aged couple, George and Martha, who have come home from a faculty party drunk and quarrelsome. When Nick, a young biology professor, and his mousy wife, Honey, stop by for a nightcap, they are enlisted as fellow fighters, and the battle begins. A long night of malicious games, insults, humiliations, betrayals, painful confrontations, and savage witticisms ensues. The secrets of both couples are laid bare, and illusions are viciously exposed. When, in a climactic moment, George decides to “kill” the son they have invented to compensate for their childlessness, George and Martha finally face the truth and, in a quiet ending to a noisy play, stand together against the world, sharing their sorrow.

The play has been the vehicle for stellar performances by actors and actresses alike. Uta Hagen, winner of three Tony Awards, debuted the role of Martha on Broadway in 1962; the play was a sensation, with many considering Hagen’s portrayal of Martha as the best performance of her storied career.  The first film adaptation of the play, released in 1966, was also critically acclaimed as well as controversial.  Directed by Mike Nichols and starring Elizabeth Taylor as Martha, Richard Burton as George, George Segal as Nick, and Sandy Dennis as Honey, the film broke barriers in its use of explicit language.  All four performers were nominated for Academy Awards, with Taylor winning for Best Actress and Dennis for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

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