The City of Fairfax Theatre Company will present Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” from April 22 to May 8. Performances will take place in the Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” won the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play and established Edward Albee as the most important playwright of his generation.
The cast is led by Karen Jadlos Shotts and D. Scott Graham as Martha and George, with Michael Rudden and Stephanie Ramsey as Nick and Honey. The production team includes Director Ed Zakreski, Scenic and Lighting designer Scott Graham, costume designer Heather Jackson, movement coach Erich DiCenzo, stage manager Amanda Herman, and producer Kirsten Boyd.
Zakreski is a Fairfax City resident, who works as the chief development officer at D.C.’s renowned Shakespeare Theatre Company. He directed CFTC’s “Doubt” in March 2015, and is excited to be back at the helm of another drama.
“The play is a horrifying and compelling collision of comedy and tragedy. As these two couples spend the late hours together, we begin to dissect which couple has a relationship rooted in honesty, and which has a marriage built upon lies. In one view, the play is a beautifully written comedy of language; from another view, it contains heartbreaking tragedy and cathartic emotional interactions, ” Zakreski said.
For Graham, George is a dream role in a play that examines the “complexity of these relationships and what they say about our culture and society. Human nature - to be able to heal, to be able to get back up. That’s part of the big thing for me and George.”
The central force of the play is Martha, played by veteran actor Karen Jadlos Shotts, in her first role with CFTC. Bitter, biting, and on the hunt - Martha strips away all safety and pretense throughout the play. “No matter how bizarre it is, it has to be honest and come from a place that’s organic,” Shotts said of playing the historically challenging role.
In conjunction with the Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts, CFTC is transforming Old Town Hall in Fairfax City into a theatre. A grant from the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts will underwrite the theatrical lighting equipment necessary for this transformation. “This intimate staging brings you directly into George and Martha’s living room. I want the audience to feel as if they are in the same room with these four great characters,” Zakreski said.
The City of Fairfax Theatre Company’s production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” is supported by a grant from the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts and is part of the Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts.
Tickets for “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” are $17 when purchased in advance. Remaining seats, if available, will be sold for $20 at the door one hour prior to performance times. Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. All performances will take place in Fairfax City’s Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Free parking is available. The production runs approximately 3 hours, including two intermissions.
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” contains adult language and situations.
Tickets are available online and can be purchased at www.fairfaxcitytheatre.org.
More information about City of Fairfax Theatre Company can be found by at http://fairfaxcitytheatre.org or by emailing fairfaxcitytheatre@gmail.com.