Posted: 9/28/26 at 3:42pm
I saw a production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf recently at the Shakespeare Theater of NJ, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The actress playing Martha, Antoinette LaVecchia was absolute perfection. This was my first time seeing the play live, it’s a very good play, I see its appeal, but why is it so popular? What makes it so acclaimed?
Updated On: 9/28/26 at 03:42 PM
Posted: 9/28/26 at 3:54pm
It’s a cute family play and great for the whole family. Kids in particular seem to love it plus it’s got a good beat and you can dance to it.
Posted: 9/28/26 at 4:03pm
Agreed, BrodyFosse123. When I saw the Kathleen Turner revival in 2005, she led a conga line thru the audience at the start of Act 3.
During curtain call, another conga line was formed for everyone to exit the theatre, led by Nathan Lane.
Posted: 9/28/26 at 4:12pm
Posted: 9/28/26 at 4:20pm
Because Edward Albee is amazing
Posted: 9/28/26 at 4:22pm
It is well written, often well cast, and often well performed.
Posted: 9/28/26 at 4:24pm
Posted: 9/28/26 at 4:45pm
rosscoe(au) said: "I’m must be the only person who finds it a vile nasty piece of work, watching two drunk people constantly belittle each other. For me it doesn’t say anything that needs to be said."
I don't think you're totally alone there. But I think it's the most glorious, gutting, darkly funny and devastating depiction of human beings' dependence upon illusion - - and the vileness & nastiness shows you just how desperately and angrily and fearfully people work to maintain their illusions.
Updated On: 9/28/26 at 04:45 PM
Posted: 9/28/26 at 5:10pm
I kind of agree, I didnt quite get the fuss on the play alone when I saw it years ago with Kathleen Turner. But I think what it does do is give two actors two really juicy parts and can be a thrilling showcase with the right people at the top of their game in the roles.
Posted: 9/28/26 at 6:12pm
Leave it to Flash to start a thread questioning the quality of an all time classic play that has been on Broadway four times and has been produced thousands and thousands of times all around the world. Leave it to Flash.
Posted: 9/28/26 at 6:26pm
rosscoe(au) said: "I’m must be the only person who finds it a vile nasty piece of work, watching two drunk people constantly belittle each other. For me it doesn’t say anything that needs to be said."
Why do you hang around here then?
Posted: 9/28/26 at 6:33pm
I'm seeing the Gillian Anderson /Billy Crudup London production in November. Press night is Wednesday so no reviews yet, but has anyone here already seen it? Any first- or second-hand reports on the production or on the relatively new Soho Place, where Zegler is taking up residency following the closing of Woolf?
Posted: 9/28/26 at 6:46pm
TotallyEffed said: "rosscoe(au) said: "I’m must be the only person who finds it a vile nasty piece of work, watching two drunk people constantly belittle each other. For me it doesn’t say anything that needs to be said."
Why do you hang around here then?"
‘That actually made me laugh out loud.
Posted: 9/28/26 at 7:08pm
Posted: 9/28/26 at 7:16pm
TotallyEffed said: "rosscoe(au) said: "I’m must be the only person who finds it a vile nasty piece of work, watching two drunk people constantly belittle each other. For me it doesn’t say anything that needs to be said."
Why do you hang around here then?"
lmao
Posted: 9/28/26 at 8:01pm
Matt Rogers said: "Leave it to Flash to start a thread questioning the quality of an all time classic play that has been on Broadway four times and has been produced thousands and thousands of times all around the world. Leave it to Flash."
I find the question pretty benign regardless of who might pose it. Threads are starting here all the time by all kinds of commenters about the popularity of certain shows, why XYZ is being revived yet again, who will be the next Mama Rose, et al.
Posted: 9/28/26 at 8:05pm
SteveSanders said: "Matt Rogers said: "Leave it to Flash to start a thread questioning the quality of an all time classic play that has been on Broadway four times and has been produced thousands and thousands of times all around the world. Leave it to Flash."
I find the question pretty benign regardless of who might pose it. Threads are starting here all the time by all kinds of commenters about the popularity of certain shows, why XYZ is being revived yet again, who will be the next Mama Rose, et al.
"
Except that this is a poster who has been banned and has multiple accounts and screen names and just posts anything that comes into her head at any given moment of the day. Let’s do Cat on a Hot Tin Roof next!!!!!!!!
Posted: 9/28/26 at 8:42pm
Some call it unrealistically dark, others call it unrealistically accurate. It’s also got the honor of having introduced MF to the white vernacular. Previously that one swear word was not only primarily Black, but heavily racially charged.
Posted: 9/29/26 at 12:14am
Wow, that’s really interesting about the swear word! I think the play is brilliant, but it’s not like I’ve seen it beyond the movie when I read and studied the play in school in 2006.
Updated On: 9/29/26 at 12:14 AM
Posted: 9/29/26 at 5:15am
Did you not read it in your high school English class?
Posted: 9/29/26 at 8:44am
I think it teaches us what NOT to do in a long relationship. A lot of long term relationships and marriages have shades of this and I think the audience knows that. That’s why it’s a good piece of work. It’s not just alcoholism it explores. It also explores the weird compromises and ways to not go crazy when it’s just the two of you. These people are monsters but they have moments that make the audience of couples feel pointed at.
Posted: 9/29/26 at 9:57am
It's a masterpiece of dramatic construction with endlessly fascinating contradictions. Yes, it is produced much too often but like Salesman a strong production can make you see and hear things that you didn't catch the first time.
I can understand why some people don't like it, though. It's long, angry and depressing.
Posted: 9/29/26 at 10:11am
The “What a dump” segment is a fantastic opener for a play.
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