It’s a crime that most peoples’ first introduction to Edward Albee’s award-winning 1961 play “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is via Mike Nichols’ botched 1966 film version.
Those who want to see just what a powerhouse this justifiably revered classic can be need look no further than The Kennedy Center, where the 2005 Broadway revival is beginning a national tour. It would be difficult to — no, correction — it would be impossible to imagine a better production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” than this one.
For those few not familiar with the play, the main characters are the miserably unhappy married couple, George (Bill Irwin) and Martha (Kathleen Turner), who live on “the campus of a small New England college.” (He’s a history professor; she’s the daughter of the President of the University.) Their main passions are drinking and verbally going for each other’s jugular.
George and Martha are playing host to a newly arrived young couple, Nick (David Furr) and Honey (Kathleen Early), whom they just met at a Saturday evening faculty affair and have invited to their home for a wee-hours-of-the-morning get-together after the party. As the alcohol flows, the worst traits of all of the characters are brought forth, especially Martha’s undisguised lust for Nick.
The main attraction is, of course, Turner, who was born to play Martha. Although her throaty voice and tough-as-nails persona haven’t been put to such good use since her movie debut in “Body Heat,” she also brings a vulnerability to the role necessary to keep Martha from becoming a caricature.
She is matched every step of the way by Irwin, who won a Tony for his performance as George. Irwin plays George as even more of a milquetoast than usual, which makes it all the more jolting when the worm finally turns.
It is a testament to the supporting actors that their performances aren’t overshadowed by the leads. Early is properly clueless and simpering as Honey. And Furr’s Nick is a revelation. At last, this traditionally miscast part is played with the sense of sexual threat and frat boy swagger that Albee intended.
Superbly directed by Anthony Page, this is the version of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” that future productions will be measured against.
If you go
The Kennedy Center production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” runs through Jan. 28.
Venue: The Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater, Washington
Performances: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturdays, and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Tickets: $25 to $78
More info: 202-467-4600 or www.kennedy-center.org
