Edward Albee’s Dark Comedy opens September 20th

Hilarious and harrowing at the same time, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? was first staged in October 1962 and examines the complexities of the marriage of the middle-aged couple George and Martha, portrayed by TAPA veterans Jason Hovey and Kristi Hanson (this is their third time acting alongside each other). George, a professor at a small college, and his wife, Martha, have just returned home drunk from a university faculty party. Martha announces, amidst general profanity, that she has invited a young couple to stop by for a nightcap – an opportunistic new professor Nick, portrayed by TAPA newcomer Jacob Merwin and his shatteringly naïve new bride Honey, portrayed by Mackenzie Wingate. The charade begins the very moment they arrive. The drinks flow and suddenly inhibitions melt. The young couple are drawn into the bitter and frustrating relationship between Geroge and Martha who have spent their entire marriage masking their pain and sorrow behind seething anger, and mind games in a constant power struggle. George and Martha’s inhuman bitterness toward one another is provoked by the enormous personal sadness that they have pledged to keep to themselves: a secret that has seemingly been the foundation for their relationship. In the end, the mystery in which the distressed George and Martha have taken refuge is exposed, once and for all revealing the degrading mess they have made of their lives. WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? is funny, uncomfortable, and moving…often at the same time.

Mature language and subject matter; not suitable for young audiences.

Performances will be held at The Barn Community Playhouse in Tillamook. Friday and Saturday performances will be held on September 20, 21, 27, 28, October 4, 5 at 6:30PM and Sunday matinee performances will be held on September 22, 29 & October 6, 2024 at 2:00PM. Doors open one half-hour prior to curtain. FRIDAY and SATURDAY night performances will indeed begin promptly at 6:30PM – doors will open at 6:00PM. Late arrivals will not be admitted. Tickets are on sale now at here or call the TAPA box office at (503) 812-0275 to purchase tickets, ask questions or if you need assistance. As always, opening night is Gala Night where each ticket holder receives one free beverage and complimentary Hors D’oeuvres. TAPA also has a concessions counter serving snacks, desserts, soft drinks, coffee from Blue Star Espresso, assorted beer, including Pelican Brewery beer and wine including Casa Luna Winery.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? won both the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play and the 1962–1963 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play. It is frequently revived on the modern stage. The film adaptation was released in 1966, written by Ernest Lehman, directed by Mike Nichols, and starring Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, George Segal, and Sandy Dennis. The Tillamook Association for the Performing Arts is honored to present this celebrated piece. The three-act play normally takes just under three hours to perform, with two 10-minute intermissions. The title is a pun on the song “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” from Walt Disney’s Three Little Pigs (1933), substituting the name of the celebrated English author Virginia Woolf. Martha and George repeatedly sing this version of the song throughout the play.