BWW Interviews: Scott Galbreath on City Theatre's Production of A DELICATE BALANCE

Described as "a scorching masterpiece," Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance is a riveting, funny, and thought-provoking examination of family and friends is one of the most successful plays in American theatre and all too rarely produced in Austin. Guest director Fritz Ketchum leads the production with show dates May 2 - 25, 2014 at City Theatre.

BroadwayWorld recently spoke with Scott Galbreath who will be playing Tobias in City Theatre's production. Here's what she had to say about tackling Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play...

BWW: A Delicate Balance won Edward Albee his first of three Pulitzer Prizes back in 1967, but it's now not quite as well-known as some of his other plays like The Zoo Story, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or even his most recent success, The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? For those who aren't familiar with the play, what is A Delicate Balance about?

SG: What I tell people when asked this question is that it is about dysfunctional people looking for love and meaning. A wealthy couple's static, loveless life becomes chaotic with the arrival of their only daughter, going through her fourth divorce, an alcoholic live-in sister in law, and their best friends sudden and odd need to move in because they are "afraid." It's a human story with real characters, comedy, drama, and heartbreak.

BWW: Have you performed in an Albee play before?

SG: This is my first Albee play.

BWW: What about Albee, his plays, and his style or writing do you feel has made him one of the most frequently produced American playwrights?

SG: I think Albee's plays are so successful first and foremost because he writes stories that we can relate to. With A Delicate Balance, Albee has written characters that exist in all our lives and situations that most of us have found ourselves in at some time or another. Albee allows us to look at our own lives while being entertained by the beauty of live theatre. His plays are smart, challenging, and thoughtful.

BWW: What are some of the challenges in taking on Albee's dialogue and characters?

SG: I don't find Albee's dialogue challenging because it is so well written that it flows so easily. My character of Tobias is the most challenging role I have ever played. It is an emotional role that requires great energy, power, and at the same time, grace. It has been an extremely rewarding role to develop. I only hope I can do it justice.

BWW: What's your favorite aspect of your character?

SG: My favorite aspect of Tobias is his heart. He truly wants there to be truth and meaning in his life and we as an audience get to see his struggle to find those things.

BWW: What has the rehearsal process been like for this show?

SG: This is my first play in eleven years and I have loved every minute of it. The rehearsal process is my favorite part of being an actor. There is so much discovery throughout rehearsals and working on A Delicate Balance has been more than I could have imagined.

BWW: Do you have a favorite moment in the show?

SG: My favorite moment is the scene at the end of act three between Tobias and Harry. Just heartbreaking!!!

BWW: Any last thoughts for Austin audiences who might catch A Delicate Balance?

SG: I hope people come and discover Albee. There is great talent in the Austin theatre scene and this show will be a great night of theatre.

A DELICATE BALANCE plays The City Theatre at 3823 Airport Blvd, Suite D, Austin 78722 now thru May 25th. Performances are Thursdays - Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 5:30pm. Tickets are $10-$25. For tickets and information, please visit www.citytheatreaustin.org