Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (2001) Guthrie Theater / Minneapolis, MN Playwright: Edward Albee Cast: Patrick Stewart (George), Mercedes Ruehl (Martha), Carrie Preston (Honey), Bill McCallum (Nick) Character: George

Set on the campus of a small New England college, the play centers on history professor George and his wife Martha. Bogged down by mediocrity, George has been unable to fulfill his wife's expectations of success.

Into this volatile environment enter Nick, a handsome and promising young biologist, and his wife Honey, invited over for a nightcap. As the evening progresses, George and Martha reveal an intensely disturbing universe of frustrations, anger, and mutual recriminations as they move from the intial amiable "social" visit to a ghastly domestic battleground, drowned in nonstop liquor drinking. In the course of the dramatic action, entirely confined within a living room, virtually nothing is left unsoiled, and no one escapes the destructive wrath of irreconcilable conflicts.

Related links:
NPR Morning Edition - Profile on Guthrie Theatre (3/11/2002) — From NPR.org (Real Player)
Stewart beams down from 'Trek' to Albee (3/29/2001) — From Associated Press
Variety Play Review (3/12/2001)
Theater Review (3/8/2001) — From Chicago Tribune
Play Review — From KMSPTV
MPR Interview with Woolf Cast — Includes rehearsal soundbites (RealPlayer)
Guthrie Theater Study Guide
Patrick Reads Poem Autumn on Minnesota Public Radio — (Real Player)