Don’t Be AFRAID… It’s Only a Play!
We all have dreams right? Not just night time sleepy dreams about flying or a grocery store shopping spree – I mean dreams such as ambitions, goals, or something that you want to attain that sometimes seems unattainable. I’ve had many of these kinds of goals pass me by in my life because of aging, missed opportunities, being in a different place in my life at the time etc., but this past year I worked with an incredible group of people to help one of my lifelong dreams come true – being part of a particular play called Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Theatre and film buffs will easily recognize the title because it’s been a hit Broadway play and an Academy Award winning film (starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor) that not only brought accolades and stardom to its cast members but always generated tremendous buzz in the media for its mature subject matter, strong language and intense, emotional presentation. The film, released in 1966, was initially banned in all Maritime theatre because of its content.
When Who’s Afriad of Virginia Woolf? was first performed in New York in 1962, America was still saying good-bye to the ideals of the stable and productive 1950s. Television projected the happy nuclear family, with success being measured on kids, house, car and dog. These trappings of success often hid real problems and it’s this idea that Albee used to fuel Woolf, revealing the truths and illusions beneath success and marriage.
In September 2015, the Wolfville Theatre Collective (a group of theatre enthusiasts) performed a small sold out run of this play to a very passionate and responsive audience. The Collective received praise for not only the performance itself, but for taking the initiative to perform it in the first place.
Because of the incredible response, the Collective has decided to put on a second run of the play for all of those patrons who missed it or those who wish to see it again. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, a prime example of experimental theatre for its challenges to both the cast and the audience, is being performed on the Main Stage of the Al Whittle Theatre from April 13th through April 16th. Doors open at 6:30 and the show commences promptly at 7:00pm.
Cast members include Thea Burton as Martha, Paul Abela as George, Mike Dennis as Nick, and Emily Lutz as Honey. And guess who received the dream job of directing? That’s right… ME!!! Woolf? is my directorial debut and I am really excited to see it performed again, as we get revisit the material with a new cast member in a bigger venue. It has been very rewarding.
This play has been a tremendous challenge for me as director, as I have to equally balance the love and hate presented in the play. It’s also a challenge for the audience, who has to watch and sustain the barrage of emotions this play lays on them. How is this possible? Well, the answer of course, is that this brilliant production is about ALL OF US. In its devious, twisted, and yet straightforward heart it urges us, all of us, to abandon illusion and to seek the truth. It may be a painful journey, but it is the only path to salvation. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?… All of Us!
Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased at The Box of Delights Bookshop on Main Street, Wolfville (902) 542-9511 or at the door. It is strongly recommended you purchase tickets in advance because of the plays popularity. So come, sit back and enjoy an evening of fun and games with Martha and George! Don’t be Afraid… it’s only a play!
ATTENTION STUDENTS!!!!!!
On TUESDAY APRIL 12th, you are invited to a $5.00 Student Preview performance of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Al Whittle Theatre. Bring your ID and enter for only $5.00, CASH ONLY! Seating is limited to the first 160 students who show up. Doors open at 6:30 and the show commences promptly at 7:00pm! Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
