Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Revival 1976

Opened: April 1, 1976
Closing: July 11, 1976

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - 1976 - Broadway History , Info & More

Music Box Theatre (Broadway)
239 West 45th St. New York, NY

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is a powerful and disturbing drama written by Edward Albee in 1962. It explores the complexities of a troubled marriage through a night of bitter arguments, manipulation, and emotional cruelty



The play centers on a middle-aged couple, Martha, the daughter of a wealthy college president, and George, a frustrated history professor. They invite a young couple, Nick and Honey, for a late-night drink after a faculty party. As the night unfolds, Martha and George engage in a relentless verbal battle, dredging up past resentments, insecurities, and failed dreams. They use Nick and Honey as pawns in their twisted games, ultimately exposing the emptiness and despair at the heart of their relationship.



The play delves into themes of marital unhappiness, the destructive power of secrets, the struggle for dominance, and the illusion of happiness. It explores the ways people can hurt each other, both intentionally and unintentionally.



"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" was considered shocking for its time due to its frank portrayal of marital discord, profanity, and sexual themes. The play challenged societal norms and forced audiences to confront the dark side of human relationships. Despite its controversial elements, the play was a critical success. It won the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play and the 1962–1963 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play. The original stars, Uta Hagen (Martha) and Arthur Hill (George), both received Tony Award nominations.



In 1966, the play was adapted into a critically acclaimed film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. While toned down for the screen, the film retained the play's core themes and powerful performances. "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" remains a significant work of American theatre. It continues to be produced around the world, sparking discussions about relationships, communication, and the human condition.

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Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? have there been?
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? has had 8 productions including Broadway which opened in 1962, Broadway which opened in 1976, Broadway which opened in 2005, Broadway which opened in 2005, Broadway which opened in 2012, West End which opened in 2017, Broadway which opened in 2020 and which opened in 2020.
What awards has Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? been nominated for?
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? has been nominated for several awards. It received nominations for Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Edward Albee, Outstanding Revival (Drama Desk Awards), and Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Richard Kelton.
What awards has Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? won?
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? has won several awards, including the Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Edward Albee and Outstanding Revival (Drama Desk Awards). Richard Kelton also received the Performance award from the Theatre World Awards for his role in the show.

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