Exhilarating, Witty, Explosive Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? takes the stage at Yale Rep
By Kiersten Bjork (October 13, 2022)
Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, directed by James Bundy at the Yale Repertory Theatre, is a witty, volatile, go-for-the-throat dark comedy that has audience members on the edge of their seat from start to finish. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is set in the early hours of the morning following a university party. George and Martha, a middle-aged couple who engage in biting back-and-forth commentary, welcome the younger couple, Nick and Honey, into their home. Their banter quickly devolves into something more as the wee hours of the morning tick by, and their private lives and thoughts are laid bare. What is truth and what is a lie? Despite its lengthy run time and two intermissions, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is a sprint from start to finish. Yale Rep’s production breathes new life into a classic play and keeps that fast-paced dialogue sharp with an incredibly talented cast of four.
Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, directed by James Bundy at the Yale Repertory Theatre, is a witty, volatile, go-for-the-throat dark comedy that has audience members on the edge of their seat from start to finish. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is set in the early hours of the morning following a university party. George and Martha, a middle-aged couple who engage in biting back-and-forth commentary, welcome the younger couple, Nick and Honey, into their home. Their banter quickly devolves into something more as the wee hours of the morning tick by, and their private lives and thoughts are laid bare. What is truth and what is a lie? Despite its lengthy run time and two intermissions, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is a sprint from start to finish. Yale Rep’s production breathes new life into a classic play and keeps that fast-paced dialogue sharp with an incredibly talented cast of four.
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Emma Pfitzer Price, Nate Janis, René Augesen and Dan Donohue in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Yale Rep (Joan Marcus)
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Dan Donohue and René Augesen in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Yale Rep (Joan Marcus)
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René Augesen and Dan Donohue play Martha and George, and both deliver impressive performances. Augesen’s Martha is a fierce, passionate, and strong woman unafraid to go on the attack. Martha’s best defense, it seems, is offense, and Augesen demonstrates this stunningly in a no holds barred portrayal of her character. Donohue provides a dynamic performance as George, shifting from explosions of emotion to moments when he shrinks down under the belittlement of Martha. We almost get whiplash, in the best way, as George plays the game, and then pulls back to see what his opponent’s next move will be, before diving back in again, teeth bared.
Emma Pfitzer Price plays the seemingly naive, yet scarred Honey. Price’s comedic skill is on display in the moments of Honey’s drunken dancing and carrying on, and yet Price still maintains the necessary weight of the burden of her experiences in the shadowed expressions and hysteric outbursts that sometimes overtake Honey. Nate Janis takes a brazen approach to Nick, creating an excellent portrayal of the brash biology professor. Janis’ Nick is full of youthful swagger that feeds the perception of the character as an overconfident newcomer to the play’s University community.
Emma Pfitzer Price plays the seemingly naive, yet scarred Honey. Price’s comedic skill is on display in the moments of Honey’s drunken dancing and carrying on, and yet Price still maintains the necessary weight of the burden of her experiences in the shadowed expressions and hysteric outbursts that sometimes overtake Honey. Nate Janis takes a brazen approach to Nick, creating an excellent portrayal of the brash biology professor. Janis’ Nick is full of youthful swagger that feeds the perception of the character as an overconfident newcomer to the play’s University community.
Dan Donohue in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Yale Rep (Joan Marcus)
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Dan Donohue, Nate Janis, Emma Pfitzer Price, and René Augesen in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Yale Rep (Joan Marcus)
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The production features a beautiful set from scenic designer Miguel Urbino. The play takes place in the home of George and Martha, and the exceptional set dressing truly evokes the sense that this is a space that someone enthusiastic about history has lived in for some time. The various statues and other pieces included on the many bookshelves are nice touches. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? also features several unique props that were well executed, such as the break-away bottle.
Lighting designer Jiahao (Neil) Qiu makes great use of tasteful practicals incorporated into the set. The soft glow of the morning sunlight that is created, especially at the end of the piece, helps to ground the action of the play in the early hours of the morning. Kyle Artone’s costume designs for each character are excellent reflections of their backgrounds and personalities. The choices for Martha’s costume change are perfect, reinforcing her motives with a visual representation.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Yale Repertory Theatre is explosive and exhilarating, featuring clever dialogue and top-notch performances and design work. Don’t miss your chance to experience this production – the “first professional staging in Connecticut in over 30 years,” according to Artistic Director and director, James Bundy – and get your tickets today.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? plays at Yale Repertory Theatre until October 29, 2022. Tickets are $15 and $25 (all previews), $15 and $45 (weeknights), and $15 and $65 (weekends and matinees). Student tickets are $15 for all performances. Tickets are available online at yalerep.org, by calling (203) 432-1234, and in person at the Yale Rep Box Office (1120 Chapel Street).
Kiersten Bjork is a theatremaker and reviewer from Branford, CT, currently in the mentorship program with the Connecticut Critics Circle.
Lighting designer Jiahao (Neil) Qiu makes great use of tasteful practicals incorporated into the set. The soft glow of the morning sunlight that is created, especially at the end of the piece, helps to ground the action of the play in the early hours of the morning. Kyle Artone’s costume designs for each character are excellent reflections of their backgrounds and personalities. The choices for Martha’s costume change are perfect, reinforcing her motives with a visual representation.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Yale Repertory Theatre is explosive and exhilarating, featuring clever dialogue and top-notch performances and design work. Don’t miss your chance to experience this production – the “first professional staging in Connecticut in over 30 years,” according to Artistic Director and director, James Bundy – and get your tickets today.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? plays at Yale Repertory Theatre until October 29, 2022. Tickets are $15 and $25 (all previews), $15 and $45 (weeknights), and $15 and $65 (weekends and matinees). Student tickets are $15 for all performances. Tickets are available online at yalerep.org, by calling (203) 432-1234, and in person at the Yale Rep Box Office (1120 Chapel Street).
Kiersten Bjork is a theatremaker and reviewer from Branford, CT, currently in the mentorship program with the Connecticut Critics Circle.