Saturday, January 20, 2024

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

                                         Brandon O'Rourke, Anna D. Bailey
                                                                            Greg Wood & Susan Riley Stevens

Walnut Street Theatre is producing Edward Albee’s phenomenal work, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ?  on its main stage through February 4, 2024. Unlike a typical production seen at the Walnut, this show has only one set through-out its three acts, but the design team is outstanding with multiple experiences on Walnut Street Theatre stages --- Roman Tatarowicz- Scenic Design; Ryan O‘Gara -Lighting  Design; and Christopher Colucci -  Sound Design. A special nod goes to Costume Coordinator Natalie De La Torre who initiates a change in Martha after a costume change. Welcome to newcomer and Wig Designer, Claire Waid. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?  generates a series of appalled laughter as the audience examines the dysfunctional relationships presented on stage and wonders if any apply to their own lives. Albee’s play is extremely funny on one hand but shockingly disturbing, on the other.  The play is set in a college town at 2:00 a.m. after a professor’s party. Martha (Susan Riley Stevens) and George ( Greg Wood) stumble through their front door. Shortly after, guests Nick (Brandon )O’Rourke  and Honey (Anna D. Bailey) arrive, and the foursome begin what is an endless night (morning)  of drinking. Martha constantly belittles George because he doesn’t live up to her expectations and George, in turn, is nasty to Martha. Funny lines are  frequently interspersed in the script, made even more humorous when Honey makes outrageous comments indicating she doesn’t understand the conversation. With a great deal of drinking and a great deal of shouting, there is little wonder that lines can be blurred between reality and fantasy. Honey’s naivete is fun to watch while Martha’s portrayals of her pent-up frustrations are nail-biting. For more information or tickets, call 215- 574-3550 or visit online at walnutstreettheatre.org or ticketmaster.com.


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