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Edward Albee Headshot

Edward Albee

Also Credited As: Edward Franklin Albee

Birth Place: Washington, DC, USA

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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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Productions

 
[Broadway, 2020]
Playwright
 
[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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Awards and Nominations


winner
- 2012 - Legend of Off Broadway Award

Edward Albee


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2010 - The Helen Hayes Tribute, sponsored by Jaylee Mead

Edward Albee

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?


winner
Tony Awards - 2005 - Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

Edward Albee

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


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Play

Edward Albee, The Goat or Who Is Sylvia?


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Best Play

Edward Albee, The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?


winner
The Lortels - 2002 - Outstanding Lifetime Achievement

Edward Albee


winner
Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Play

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

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2001 - Best American Play

Edward Albee, The Play About the Baby

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

Olivier Awards - 1995 - BBC Award for the Play of the Year

Edward AlbeeThree Tall Women


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1994 - Best Play

Edward AlbeeThree Tall Women


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1994 - Best Play

Edward Albee, Three Tall Women


winner
Obie Awards - 1994 - Sustained Achievement

Edward Albee


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1994 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Edward Albee, Three Tall Women

Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Director - Play

Edward Albee, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding New American Play

Edward Albee, Seascape

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1975 - Best American Play

Edward Albee, Seascape


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1975 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Edward Albee, Seascape

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Play

Edward Albee, Seascape

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1967 - Best Play

Edward Albee, A Delicate Balance


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1967 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Edward Albee, A Delicate Balance

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


winner
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


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1963 - Best Play

Edward Albee, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?


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

Edward Albee, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?


winner
Tony Awards - 1963 - Best Play

Edward Albee, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1960 - Best Author

Edward Albee, The Zoo Story


winner
Obie Awards - 1960 - Distinguished Play

Edward Albee, The Zoo Story

Videos

News


Island City Stage Kicks Off Its 13th Season With THE FANTASTICKS

Off-Broadway's longest-running and most beloved musical, The Fantasticks, will kick off Island City Stage’s 13th South Florida Season beginning October 17.
OUR TOWN Comes to Wright State Theatre

Our Town, a deeply moving and thought-provoking piece of theatre written by Thorton Wilder and described by playwright Edward Albee as the finest American play ever written, envelops us in the places and faces of Grover’s Corners, holding up a mirror to all of humanity.
NAATCO adds Portland Center Stage to its National Partnership Project

Portland Center Stage will be the fifth partner to join NAATCO’s efforts towards promoting more expansive and long-lasting representations of Asian Americans in theater. Learn more about the partnership.
Soulfarm, Ft. Zalman Krause & Aryeh Kunstler, to Play Teaneck's Debonair Music Hall in October

Black Box Studios will present Soulfarm, ft. Zalman Krause & Aryeh Kunstler, on Sunday, October 20, 2024, 7:30PM at Debonair Music Hall.
The Fire Weeds Announces Edward Albee's WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

The Fire Weeds announced the cast and dates for Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Big Couch New Orleans, running December 4-21, 2024.
SoHo Playhouse Announces 2024 Lighthouse Series Winner

SoHo Playhouse announced Ali Keller’s (un)conditional, directed by Ivey Lowe, as the 2024 Lighthouse Series winner.
Feature: TREE OF LIFE at White Theatre

The White Theatre presents a world premiere production of “Tree of Life,” a new two-act play, by Kansas City career writer and playwright Victor Wishna.  “Tree of Life” documents the journey of a sacred “Torah” that has rested in the arc of a small-town Iowa synagogue over more than a century.
El Teatro Musical de Stephen Sondheim llega a las librerías

El Teatro Musical de Stephen Sondheim, el primer libro en español sobre el afamado compositor y letrista estadounidense, llega a las librerías españolas de la mano de su autor Alberto Mira.
LOS CHICOS DEL CORO y ALAN entre la programación de Pentación Teatros

Los Teatros Pentación anuncian su programación para la próxima temporada, que incluirán la segunda temporada de LOS CHICOS DEL CORO en el Teatro La Latina y el estreno en Madrid de ALAN, EL MUSICAL en el Teatro Reina Victoria.
Sydney Theatre Company Announces 2025 Season

Sydney Theatre Company has announced its 2025 season, featuring a lineup of new productions and classic revivals.
Edward Albee's SEASCAPE Returns To The Black Box After 25 Years

Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play SEASCAPE returns to the Black Box Theatre in Las Cruces, directed by Ceil Herman. The production features a middle-aged couple and a pair of lizards contemplating evolution.
Kit Ingui to Join Williamstown Theatre Festival as Managing Director, Operations & Advancement

Kit Ingui will depart Long Wharf to join Williamstown Theatre Festival as Managing Director, Operations & Advancement. Learn more about Ingui and the position.
Mad Horse Theatre Reveals 39th Season Lineup

The 39th season of Mad Horse Theatre will include three Maine Premieres and a Pulitzer Prize winning American Theater Classic. Learn more about the lineup here!
John Cariani, Mary Testa, and More Set For Transport Group's 2024-25 Season

Transport Group has announced its 2024-25 season. Learn more about the full lineup here!
A Brief History of Movie Stars in Their Broadway Debuts

This time, the reader question was: What is the history of established movie stars making their Broadway debuts?
BOEING BOEING & More Set for Hampton Theatre Company 2024-25 Season

HAMPTON THEATRE COMPANY revealed its 2024-2025 season lineup featuring a diverse range of productions from classic dramas to contemporary comedies. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Tickets Now On Sale To Pittsburgh Public Theater's 50th Anniversary Season

Pittsburgh Public Theater's 50th Anniversary season will feature thrillers, classics, fresh adaptations, and new family favorites. Learn how to purchase tickets.
SoHo Playhouse's World Premiere Of IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE Begins Tonight

SoHo Playhouse presents the world premiere of IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, directed by Vincent DeGeorge and starring John Collins and Chesney Mitchell. Running through August 10, 2024, this play explores themes of perception and truth.
Juilliard Unveils 2024-25 Season Programming, Introduces First Annual Fall Festival

Juilliard has detailed the full programming for its 2024-25 season, with more than 800 live music, dance, and drama performances at the school and beyond. The 2024-25 academic year and performance season offer a wealth of new music, world premieres, and new festivals that bring students, guest artists, and artistic leaders together from different disciplines.
GET THAT HOPE Marks Its World Première At The Stratford Festival

The Stratford Festival has announced the world première of GET THAT HOPE, a new production that explores themes of resilience and optimism.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Edward Albee written?

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).

What awards has Edward Albee been nominated for?

Edward Albee has received numerous nominations and awards throughout his career. Notable nominations include the Legend of Off Broadway Award, The Helen Hayes Tribute sponsored by Jaylee Mead (Helen Hayes Awards), and Best Revival (Olivier Awards) for Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? He was also nominated for Best New Play (Olivier Awards) for The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? and received a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. Albee's work has garnered multiple nominations for The Pulitzer Prize for Drama, including for The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?, The Play About the Baby, and Three Tall Women. He received Outstanding Play nominations from the Drama Desk Awards for The Goat or Who Is Sylvia?, and Best Play nominations from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?, The Play About the Baby, Three Tall Women, Seascape, A Delicate Balance, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Other accolades include Outstanding Lifetime Achievement (The Lortels), Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Outstanding New American Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Seascape. Albee was also nominated for Best Play (Tony Awards) for Seascape, A Delicate Balance, Tiny Alice, The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. He received Best Play nominations from the Evening Standard Awards for Three Tall Women and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, as well as Best Playwright of the Season (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Additionally, he was nominated for Best Author (Drama Desk Awards) for The Zoo Story and received a Distinguished Play nomination (Obie Awards) for the same work.

What awards has Edward Albee won?

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

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