Last Chance to See 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf,' Emotional Powerhouse at North Fork Community Theatre

Sunday marks the last chance to take in the North Fork Community Theatre’s production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” Edward Albee’s 1962 play that casts a spotlight on the crumbling marriage of a middle-aged couple, Martha and George.

It’s a don’t miss performance: Albee’s stand-out show features some of the finest dialogue arguably written, ever, for the stage, and a stellar cast keeps audiences riveted for every minute of the more-than-three-hour production.

“Late night drinks at George and Martha’s after a faculty party turn into a harrowing evening for the unsuspecting guests, Nick and Honey. Edward Albee’s stinging domestic drama depicts a toxic marriage laced with cruel games and black humor, and lays bare the dark underside of human relationships,” a release from NFCT states.

According to director James Pritchard, who breathes new life into Albee’s classic, the drama was Albee’s first full-length piece, winning a Tony award for best play.

“The production on Broadway in 1962 caused a sensation with its coarse language and unblinking look” at married life — a dizzying glimpse into the dark goings on behind the Ivory Tower walls of higher education and ideals, he said. The show, Pritchard, said, was based on real-life friends who were “infamous for their raucous weekend drinking bouts. The play presents a dark contrast to the popular culture depictions of marriage and family life presented in 1950s movies and television programs such as ‘Father Knows Best.’”

The play is shown in three full acts and contains adult content and language.

The show also features Assistant Director Laura Pearsall and Producer Deana Andes, as well as a cast including Susan Hedges as Martha, Jim Pearsall as George, Scott Butler as Nick and Kelsey Cheslock as Honey. Ryan Zlatniski is also onboard as stage manager.

Hedges brings Martha in a kaleidoscope of color and emotion. From the moment she and George, played with wry wit and spot-on timing by Pearsall, stumble into their living room at 2 a.m., Hedges lights up the stage with a dazzling display of emotion, a roller coaster ride that sends her plunging deep into the depths of despair, disillusionment, utter heartbreak and disgust, then soaring back with sarcasm-laced retorts and blistering attacks on the man who’s both her sworn enemy and lifelong obsession. Martha and George, iconic characters on the American stage, are brought vividly to life by both Pearsall and Hedges, and it’s a performance not to be missed.

Butler’s rendition of Nick is perfection, pure and simple. From the moment he heads into the twisted drama unfolding in small-town America, he’s the golden boy, imbued with promise, yet all too ready to step into the swirling hotbed of emotion and seduction offered with every swill.

When Butler and Hedges dance, it’s a seduction scene laced with arsenic as Martha describes, in riveting tempo, her husband’s failed attempts at publishing a shocking book — a sexy, slinky scene that sends this genius production soaring into the creative stratosphere.

Cheslock brings a touch of ingenue and a healthy dose of innocence to her Honey, yet displays a depth of emotion as the drama unfolds that makes her performance an arresting display of acting chops.

The NFCT consistently provides opportunities to see high-caliber productions of a Broadway classics close to home. The NFCT’s latest production is a testament to Albee and to the American stage. It’s a show that’ll shed new light on marriage and the fragility of the ties that bind — and cut to the core.

A remaining performance takes place at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets cost $15. Call 631-298-NFCT for a seat or get a full-season subscription.

For more information call the NFCT information line at631-298-4500.

Student Rush: Student tickets will be available for $12 at the box office beginning 10 minutes before each performance. These tickets are subject to availability and cannot be reserved ahead of time.

Patch photo courtesy of Sonomi Obinata.