The Steppenwolf Theatre Company production of Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is returning to Broadway at the Booth Theatre in celebration of its’ 50th anniversary on October 13, 2012.
The original Broadway production opened on October 13, 1962, 50 years ago to the day, at Broadway’s Billy Rose Theatre, with stars Uta Hagen and Arthur Hill. This new revival of the Broadway production will feature the original Steppenwolf performers, Tracy Letts as George and Amy Morton as Martha, along with Carrie Coon as Honey and Madison Dirks as Nick. The preview performances began on September 27, 2012.
The cast last performed at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago and the Arena Stage in Washington D.C. in 2011. The last Broadway revival of the production took stage in 2005, starring Kathleen Turner and Bill Irwin. Another revival this soon is a rarity, especially since this 2012 revival is not starring Hollywood stars, like many other Broadway revivals are doing right now, according to The New York Times.
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is presented by Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel, the team who won Tony Awards for “August: Osage County” and “Superior Donuts.” The plays other’s producers are Susan Quint Gallin and Mary Lu Roffe. Tony nominee, Pam MacKinnon will direct the Broadway production.
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is about George and Martha an old bitter married couple who invites a younger couple over for cocktails one night.
Here is the 2012 producers summary of the Pulitzer Prize winner Edward Albee’s modern classic production, as reported by Playbill.com:
“On the campus of a small New England college, George and Martha invite a new professor and his wife home for a nightcap. As the cocktails flow, the young couple finds themselves caught in the crossfire of a savage marital war where the combatants attack the self-deceptions they forged for their own survival. Steppenwolf ensemble members Tracy Letts and Amy Morton face off as one of theatre’s most notoriously dysfunctional couples in Albee’s hilarious and harrowing masterpiece.”
Producer, Mr. Richards said, “…he did not have an estimate for the cost of mounting the play, but that he was confident it would perform well commercially given the strength of the production,” according to The New York Times.
The two stars of the production, Tracy Letts and Amy Morton are two theatre stars most known for “August: Osage County.” Letts is the playwright of the Tony Award-winning drama, which earned him a Pulitzer Prize. Letts is also the playwright of the productions: “Donuts,” “Bug,” and “Killer Joe.” He has also performed in several other Steppenwolf plays.
Morton has been a member of Steppenwolf Theater’s group since 1997 and she is also a respected stage director. Morton received a Tony nomination as best actress, playing Barbara the eldest daughter of the play.
For more information about the Broadway production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” visit: www.virginiawoolfbroadway.com.
