Pam Griswold
Published: February 8, 2006
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ?” written by Edward Albey, is this spring’s play of choice and the third production undertaken by theater director, Rodney Whatley for the college.
The Play:
The story follows the events that take place over a nightcap in the home of two veteran college professors, George and Martha. Nick, who is new to the college and his naive wife Honey, are the guests of the professors in the early hours of the morning. From the moment the front door opens, Nick and Honey literally find themselves walking into the beginnings of a dark game that tears away the social graces and exposes hidden details of each person’s life.
The motivation for Whatley to direct this play comes from his vivid memories of the 1985 movie adaptation starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. From this movie, Whatley recalls the scene where George (Richard Burton) is seen laughing in the presence of his guests, but instantly bursts into tears the moment he is hidden behind a door as “one of the best moments in performance art.”
“The important thing to look at in this story is what the characters tell themselves about their lives,” he said.
Sitting in the Whatley’s Intro to Theater class one learns that it is not merely the actors and directors, but “the knowledge and personal memories that an audience brings with them,” that makes a show come to life. Sitting in the audience for rehearsals proves it. Each of the actors has a connection with this particular play and a reason for taking part in it.
The Cast:
Mario D. Cieri, a technical director for the Saenger Theater, who has 30 years of theater experience, plays George. Cieri says he does not identify with his character, because he couldn’t see himself “constantly warring with a woman and alcoholism,” but he often finds himself drawn to roles that let him “outside to play and explore pain.” He has wanted to play George ever since he encountered the play years ago.
For the role of George, Cieri explains, “I drew on past experiences of being in a household with a father who was abusive to my mother.”
Colleen Bergen, is a student of PJC who has 12 years of theater experience. Off stage, she is seen laughing with cast members. Onstage she transforms into Martha, the bitter, sharp-tongued, verbally abrasive wife of George. Bergen’s face lights up when she speaks of playing the part of Martha.
“When I audition for a part, my favorite piece to use is Martha’s monologue,” she said.
Now Bergen has her chance to tackle one of her favorite roles. On relating to the characters, Bergen states that she shares their “need to wear a social mask.”
Matt Garrett, a graduate of Florida State University, who has performed stand-up comedy for the past year around Miami and Orlando plays Nick. Garrett has not done a theater production in about six or seven years, but said that once he had heard about the cold reading, he knew he had to land the role.
“This play is edgy, out there, and it fits me,” Garrett said.
“I think Nick is vain and self-absorbed. He is a big shot quarterback, boxer, and a pretty boy. I am none of these things.”
Garrett may sound like he hates his character but insists he only disagrees with Nick’s choices. In defense of the character, Garrett makes it clear that, “One of his faults may be that he is so smart and intellectually superior that he may forget to listen to others who may have something valuable to offer.”
Jennifer Godwin, a PJC sophomore who has five years of theater experience, plays Honey. “I’m not very different from my character with the exception of being completely drunk! She’s the typical blonde, but she understands the depth a situation without letting on,” Godwin said.
As for the profanity that is so famous in this Albey play, Godwin just shrugs and says, “There are a lot of this word, that word, and a couple of F-bombs.”
The Profanity:
Whatley spoke of the possibility of censoring some of the profanity, but also cited the fact that altering the play would stray from the original script and break the contract stating the play should be performed as it was written.
Whatever the decision, Whatley promises “Woolf” will be a “darn good show” with grin on his face suggesting that he has censored his own line for the sake of being quoted directly.
The Set:
“A set like this takes about 120 man hours for three or four people to build,” said Bob Gandrup, who teaches intro to technical theater. All together, it takes about 25 students to complete the set and take care of the technical features such as lighting and props. Gandrup’s favorite piece for the production is a bar that rolls out from the wall. Gandrup speaks of another contraption that has been made especially for the play, but Whatley insists that it remain a secret.
The Showtimes:
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” will show at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 17, 18, 24, and 25, in the Ashmore Auditorium. There will also be a 2:30 p.m. showing on Feb. 19 and 26.
Tickets cost $8 and can be purchased at the Lyceum box office in the Ashmore Auditorium. PJC Students can reserve one free ticket.