Albee's Classic WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOLFF Plays The Palm Canyon Theatre October 18-21

In a haze of reality and misguided fantasy, four characters present the critically acclaimed play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on the Palm Canyon Theatre stage October 18-21. First staged in 1962, writer Edward Albee promptly won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play (1962-63) and the Tony Award for Best Play (1963). The play happens over the course of one night and includes games of marital torment and verbal tirades with hints of infidelity and deception sprinkled throughout an unconventional encounter.

The setting is the home of history professor George (Richard Marlow) and his boozy wife Martha (Yo Younger) after they return home from a faculty cocktail party. Martha announces that she's invited another couple, Nick (Sean Timothy Brown) and his wife, Honey (Phylicia Mason), over for a nightcap. When they arrive, the psychological games begin.

When first released, the play was extremely controversial, challenging the American dream and idealistic husband/wife marriage of the 1950s. In 1966, a film adaptation of the controversial play, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, George Segal, and Sandy Dennis, won the Academy Award. In 2013, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

The Palm Canyon Theatre's production of the classic play is directed by Michael Pacas, who has an MFA in Theatre Directing from DePaul University. Recently relocating to the Coachella Valley, Pacas has already received Desert Star Award Nominations for his performances in The Woman In Black and The 39 Steps (Desert Theatreworks) and Blithe Spirit (PCT). Kirsten Cunningham is the creative force behind the production's scenic design. Lighting is by J.W. Layne with costuming by Derik Shopinski. Younger and Mason regularly star on various valley theatre's, including PCT. Both Marlow and Brown are making their debut appearances at PCT. The entire cast and crew are exuberant about participating in the iconic show.

PCT presents Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? October 18-21. Thursday's performance is at 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday the show starts at 8 p.m., and a Sunday matinee begins at 2 p.m. Tickets to all shows are $29.50.

For tickets to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, call the Palm Canyon Theatre Box Office at 760-323-5123 or order online: www.PalmCanyonTheatre.org. The Palm Canyon Theatre is located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive, at the corner of Alejo Road and Palm Canyon Drive. Box Office hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

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