Good morning, Natchez and the Miss-Lou!

Natchez Little Theatre is proud to present as the third show of their 63rd season Edward Albee’s award-winning drama “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Winner of the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play, Best Actor and Best Actress, the Broadway production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” was a shattering and memorable experience and proclaimed the author, Edward Albee, as a major American playwright.

The play was selected for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for 1963, but the trustees at Columbia University overruled the award’s advisory committee because of the play’s then controversial nature and no Pulitzer Prize for Drama was awarded. The show opened on Oct. 13, 1962, at the Billy Rose Theatre on Broadway and had a long illustrious run with many famous actors playing the roles. The film adaptation won an Oscar for Elizabeth Taylor in 1966.

George, played by Stacey Carden, a professor at a small college, and his wife Martha, played by Laurie Williams, have just returned home drunk from a Saturday night party. Martha announces, amidst general profanity, that she has invited a young couple, an opportunistic new professor at the college and his shatteringly nave new bride, played by Trey Price and Becky Martin Anderson, to stop by for a nightcap.  When they arrive, the charade begins.

The drinks flow and inhibitions melt. It becomes clear that Martha is determined to seduce the young professor, and George couldn’t care less. But underneath the edgy banter, which is cross-fired between both couples, lurks an undercurrent of tragedy and despair. George and Martha’s inhuman bitterness toward one another is provoked by the enormous personal sadness they have pledged to keep to themselves: a secret that has seemingly been the foundation of 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?” starts at 7:30 Thursday through Saturday evening and closes with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. All tickets are $15.

There will be a benefit/preview performance for Natchez Downtown Development Association with $10 tickets at 7 p.m. today. Reservations are recommended by calling 601-442-2233; toll free 1-877-440-2233 or you may purchase tickets online at www.natcheztheatre.org. This play does contain adult language and situations that may not be appropriate for some.

I am very proud of this talented cast who have put in more than 100 hours of their time into preparation for this production and thanks to Tommy Jackson for his help with lighting and sound. I hope to see you at “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

Don Vesterse is the director of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and the technical director at Natchez Little Theatre.