Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Many view Valentines Day as a stereotypical day of romance: roses, candlelit dinners, chocolates etc. The decision to set the opening night of the Whole Art Theater’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” on Valentines Day offers a different view of love, with a close look at the interaction of two couples in a position with nothing to lose and a lot to get out in the open.
Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” portrays the raw truth about relationships, offering a deeper look into two couples that from the outside seem to be living stereotypically everyday American lives. George and Martha are the older couple; George is a professor at the nearby university, while Martha is the daughter of the university president. One evening they meet another couple, Nick and Honey, at a party and invite them over for drinks. Nick is a professor of biology at the university, while his wife Honey is a mousy and awkward homemaker. Things begin normally, but as time passes and both couples become more and more drunk, George and Martha begin to use their company as an audience before which to air their troubles. The evening continues to spiral downward with much airing of dirty laundry, with the situation seemingly evolving into a competition over who can disgrace themselves the most. Drinking in excess all the while, the two couples tear into each other, as well as each lashing out at their own spouses, until the dam finally breaks and the evening ends.
Albee’s classic play is brought to life at the Whole Art under the direction of Randy Wolfe, offering another look at a show that has been well-known for more then three decades. George and Martha (played by Richard Philpot and Martie Groat Philpot respectively) put everything out in the open, and the chemistry between the Philpots (real life husband and wife) only adds to the shocking pull no punches style of the play. Both give strong as convincing performances as a part of an unorthodox married couple. Nick (played by Trevor Maher) is an awkward character with much bravado, and Mr. Maher plays him well while doing his part to defend himself and his wife against the onslaught of emotions brought forth by George and Martha. His wife Honey (played by Carol Zombro) is awkward and mousy, with large emotional swings and a strong liking for brandy. Ms. Zombro plays the character to an extreme, giving it a cartoonish quality at times, but it works within the play because everything around her is strong and over the top as well.
The Whole Art’s version of in the round style theater leaves no place to hide, as the audience surrounds the stage and views the show from all angles as the storyline plays out. On a set portraying a simple living room, with one of the most important pieces of furniture being the shelf where the numerous liquor bottles are stored, the actors bring Albee’s classic play to life over the course of three hours. The play may seem long to some, with only two 10-minute intermissions, and the plot may be a bit confusing at points, but the quality of acting along with the shock and awe factors of the story line and dialogue, will keep most viewers’ attention throughout.
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe” will play February 22, 23, 29 and March 1 at 8:00 pm at the Epic Theatre, 359 South Kalamazoo Mall. Tickets are $20 general admission, $14 seniors, and $10 students.