Edward Albee

Also Credited As: Edward Franklin Albee

Birth Place: Washington, DC, USA

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Edward Albee BIO

Edward Albee was an American playwright known for his darkly comedic and often controversial works. Born on March 12, 1928, in Washington, D.C., Albee was adopted as an infant by Reed and Frances Albee, a wealthy couple who owned vaudeville theaters. He was raised in Westchester County, New York, and attended a number of private schools before being expelled from one for academic reasons.
Albee's interest in theater began at a young age, and he began writing plays in his teens. He attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, but left after just a year and a half. He moved to New York City in 1949 and began working odd jobs while trying to establish himself as a writer.
Albee's breakthrough came in 1959 with the production of his play "The Zoo Story" at the Provincetown Playhouse in Greenwich Village. The play, which depicts a chance encounter between two strangers in Central Park, was an immediate success and established Albee as a major voice in American theater.
In the years that followed, Albee wrote a number of highly regarded plays, including "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1962), "A Delicate Balance" (1966), and "Seascape" (1975). His work was known for its dark humor, incisive social commentary, and unconventional structure.
Albee was also known for his involvement in the theater community. He served as the president of the Dramatists Guild from 1973 to 1981 and was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He was also a frequent collaborator with other artists, including composer William Flanagan and director Mike Nichols.
In addition to his work in the theater, Albee also wrote for film and television. He adapted his play "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" for the screen in 1966, earning an Academy Award nomination for his screenplay. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1970 film "The Ballad of the Sad Cafe."
Albee's personal life was marked by tragedy and controversy. He was openly gay at a time when homosexuality was still widely stigmatized, and his relationships with men were often the subject of tabloid speculation. He was also estranged from his adoptive parents and had a difficult relationship with his mother in particular.
Albee died on September 16, 2016, at his home in Montauk, New York, at the age of 88. His legacy as one of America's most important playwrights continues to be celebrated, and his work remains a staple of theater productions around the world.

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Edward Albee Productions

 
[Broadway, 2020]
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[Off-Broadway, 1994]
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[Off-Broadway, 1993]
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[Broadway, 1983]
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[Broadway, 1976]
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[Broadway, 1975]
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[Off-Broadway, 1964]
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[Off-Broadway, 1964]
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Writing

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Edward Albee Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2007 - Best Revival

Edward AlbeeWho's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?

Olivier Awards - 2005 - Best New Play

Edward AlbeeThe Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia?

The Pulitzer Prize - 2003 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Edward Albee, The Goat or Who is Sylvia

The Pulitzer Prize - 2003 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Edward Albee, The Goat or Who is Sylvia

Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Play

Edward Albee, The Goat or Who Is Sylvia?

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Best Play

Edward Albee, The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Play

Edward Albee, Edward Albee's The Goat or Who Is Sylvia?

The Pulitzer Prize - 2001 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Edward Albee, The Play About the Baby

The Pulitzer Prize - 2001 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Edward Albee, The Play About the Baby

Evening Standard Awards - 1994 - Best Play

Edward AlbeeThree Tall Women

Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Director - Play

Edward Albee, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Play

Edward Albee, Seascape

Tony Awards - 1967 - Best Play

Edward Albee, A Delicate Balance

Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Play

Edward Albee, Tiny Alice

Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Play

Edward Albee, Tiny Alice

Evening Standard Awards - 1964 - Best Play

Edward AlbeeWho's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Tony Awards - 1964 - Best Play

Edward Albee, The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1963 - Best Play

Edward Albee, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1963 - Best Playwright of the Season

Edward Albee, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Tony Awards - 1963 - Best Play

Edward Albee, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Drama Desk Awards - 1960 - Best Author

Edward Albee, The Zoo Story

Obie Awards - 1960 - Distinguished Play

Edward Albee, The Zoo Story

Edward Albee Videos

Edward Albee News


Stand Up Comedy From J-Sketch & Black Box Studios Returns To Debonair Music Hall

J-Sketch, in association with Black Box Studios, will present a 'Purim Post-Game' evening of stand-up comedy featuring Mikey Greenblatt, Ami Kozak, Eli Lebowicz and special guests on Wednesday, March 27th at 8:00PM.

WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? Comes to FIM Flint Repertory Theatre This Week

FIM Flint Repertory Theatre will present Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf March 22 - April 7 at FIM Elgood Theatre. The play stars Emily Townley and Flint Rep Associate Artist Rico Bruce Wade and is directed by Joshua Morgan.

LEROY AND LUCY World Premiere, NOISES OFF & More Announced For Steppenwolf's 2024/2025 Season

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, under the leadership of Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis and Executive Director Brooke Flanagan, has announced its 2024/25 Season, featuring several Chicago and world premieres.

F. Murray Abraham Will Appear in a Benefit Reading of Edward Albee's FRAGMENTS

​​​​​​​F. Murray Abraham will appear in a special benefit performance of Edward Albee's FRAGMENTS on Saturday, April 6th, 2024, 8:00PM at Debonair Music Hall.

Staged Reading of AT HOME AT THE ZOO Comes to Debonair Music Hall Next Week

Black Box PAC will present a staged reading of AT HOME AT THE ZOO (1959/2004) on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024, 7:30PM at Debonair Music Hall.

FIM Flint Repertory Theatre Presents Edward Albee's WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF

FIM Flint Repertory Theatre stages Edward Albee's WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, featuring Associate Artists Janet Haley and Rico Bruce Wade.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 12, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 12, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS World Premiere & More Set for Palm Beach Dramaworks 25th Season

Palm Beach Dramaworks will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2024-25 with a  roster of plays that epitomize its commitment to “Theatre to Think About.” Learn about full programming and see how to purchase tickets.

THE ZOO STORY Comes to Plays and Players in April

Plays and Players will present Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story, their first fully produced non-co-production since 2017! Learn more about the show here!

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Presents AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY March 19th - April 7th

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis closes its current season with a production of Tray Letts’ tragicomedy AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. Performances begin on March 19th and the show runs through April 7th on the main stage in the Loretto-Hilton Center. AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY is a winner of 5 Tony Awards, including Best Play, and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The dark comedy examines the dysfunctional dynamics of the Weston Family when they return home for a funeral. Broadway World had the opportunity to sit down with Director Amelia Acosta Powell and Broadway’s Astrid Van Wieren who plays Mattie Faye Aiken to talk about The Rep’s upcoming production. 

Christopher Durang to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2024 Dramatists Guild Awards

Playwright Christopher Durang is the recipient of The Dramatists Guild's 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Learn more about Durang and about the award!

Bennett Leak Will Be Second Stage Theater's Interim Artistic Director

Second Stage Theater has announced that Bennett Leak, Second Stage Theater's Director of Artistic Production, has been named Interim Artistic Director for the 2024-25 Season.

Ballet Tech to Present 30th Anniversary Kids Dance at the Joyce

Ballet Tech will return to The Joyce Theater for the 30th anniversary of its Kids Dance student performance troupe, May 30–June 2. Learn how to purchase tickets!

An Evening With Paul Schrader, Hosted By John Bathke Comes to Debonair Music Hall Next Month

Tickets are now on sale for AN EVENING WITH PAUL SCHRADER, hosted by 'On The Scene''s John Bathke and presented by Black Box PAC, on Sunday, March 17th, 2024 at 7:30PM at Debonair Music Hall.

A SENHORA DE DUBUQUE Comes to Teatro da Trindade This Month

O ensaio solidário do espetáculo A SENHORA DE DUBUQUE, de Edward Albee,  com encenação de Álvaro Correia, tem lugar no dia 28 de fevereiro, às 21h.

WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, Tower Of Power & More Coming To FIM Capitol Theatre

Learn about the March schedule of performances at FIM Capitol Theatre, including Tower of Power, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and more.

The Black Box Writers Project Continues This Month At Teaneck's Debonair Music Hall

THE WRITERS PROJECT, CHAPTER 2 will take place on Thursday, February 29th, 2024 at 7:30PM at Debonair Music Hall: 1409 Queen Anne Road in Teaneck, NJ 07666. 

Patrick Page, Reeve Carney, Santino Fontana & More to Lead Red Bull Theater's 20th Anniversary Festival

RED BULL THEATER has revealed details for the upcoming 20th Anniversary Festival, an all-star series of workshops and readings of Shakespeare, his contemporaries, & more. See who is starring, and learn how to purchase tickets.

RUSSIAN TROLL FARM Extended At Vineyard Theatre

Russian Troll Farm: A Workplace Comedy by Obie Award winner Sarah Gancher, will now play until March 3, 2024, at Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15th Street).

Edward Albee's EVERYTHING IN THE GARDEN Comes to Debonair Music Hall This Month

In association with The Estate of Edward Albee, Black Box PAC presents 1963's EVERYTHING IN THE GARDEN on Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 at Debonair Music Hall. Learn more about the show and how to attend here!

Edward Albee FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Edward Albee has written 35 shows including Breakfast at Tiffany's (Bookwriter), The Zoo Story (Playwright), Fam and Yam (Playwright), The American Dream/ The Death of Bessie Smith (Playwright), Bartleby (Librettist), The Zoo Story/ The American Dream (Playwright), The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (Playwright), The American Dream/ Dutchman (Playwright), Krapp's Last Tape/ The Zoo Story (Playwright), Malcolm (Playwright), Everything in the Garden (Playwright), Tiny Alice (Playwright), All Over (Playwright), The Lady from Dubuque (Playwright), Lolita (Playwright), The Man Who Had Three Arms (Playwright), Marriage Play (Playwright), Counting the Ways/Listening (Playwright), Sand: Box, The Sandbox and Finding the Sun (Playwright), Fragments (Playwright), Three Tall Women (Playwright), A Delicate Balance (Playwright), The Play About the Baby (Playwright), Tiny Alice (Playwright), The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? (Playwright), Edward Albee's Occupant (Playwright), Beckett/Albee (Playwright), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Playwright), Seascape (Playwright), Peter and Jerry (Playwright), Edward Albee's The American Dream and The Sandbox (Playwright), Edward Albee's Occupant (Playwright), Me, Myself & I (Playwright), Signature Plays (Playwright), At Home at the Zoo: Homelife & The Zoo Story (Playwright).

Edward Albee has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Legend of Off Broadway Award, the Helen Hayes Tribute for Best Revival and Best New Play at the Olivier Awards, a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama, Outstanding Play at the Drama Desk Awards, Best Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, and Best American Play at various award shows. His works have received recognition such as the BBC Award for the Play of the Year, Sustained Achievement at the Obie Awards, and accolades for Outstanding Director, Outstanding New American Play, and Best Author. Albee's notable plays like "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," "The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia?," "Three Tall Women," "Seascape," "A Delicate Balance," "Tiny Alice," "The Ballad of the Sad Cafe," and "The Zoo Story" have all garnered critical acclaim and numerous award nominations.

Edward Albee has won numerous awards throughout his career, including the Legend of Off Broadway Award, The Helen Hayes Tribute, the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, Outstanding Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Goat or Who Is Sylvia?", Best Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?", Outstanding Lifetime Achievement at The Lortels, Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Edward Albee's The Goat or Who Is Sylvia?", Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "Three Tall Women", Best Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Three Tall Women", Sustained Achievement at the Obie Awards, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Three Tall Women", "Seascape", and "A Delicate Balance", Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", Best Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", Best Playwright of the Season at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", Best Author at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Zoo Story", and Distinguished Play at the Obie Awards for "The Zoo Story".

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