LIVE `VIRGINIA WOOLF' MORE FUN THAN THE FILM

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 17, 1993                   TAG: 9304170397
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: KAREN L. DAVIS SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
LIVE `VIRGINIA WOOLF' MORE FUN THAN THE FILM
"A lot of people think this play is nothing but two people yelling at each other," says director Betty Garretson of Showtimers' production of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"
The three-act drama by Edward Albee opened Friday at the McVitty Road Studio.
"It is about the endeavors of a couple married for 23 years to reach each other," Garretson says. "Their struggle takes the form of games against each other and against their guests."
The marathon verbal massacre in this production is a lot more interesting to watch and much funnier than the bleak film version, which starred Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
The action takes place in the living room of George and Martha's house on a college campus. The two arrive home after a cocktail party given by Martha's father, the college's president. At her father's suggestion, Martha has invited a younger couple, Nick and Honey, to an after-party party.
George, a history professor, played by R.B. Bortz, loathes Martha's father and makes no secret of it. And Martha, played boisterously by Mary Ann Huff, verbally castrates George in front of their guests - calling him a flop and deriding him for being merely "in the history department" rather than "head of the history department."
Embarrassed, Nick (played by Jeff Walker) and Honey (played by Robbin Nuckolls) try to ignore the assault at first. But as everyone gets a little too drunk, the barbs get more vicious in the guise of ridiculous "games" such as Humiliate the Host, Get the Guests and Hump the Hostess.
The play's title is derived from a party refrain sung throughout the play and means who's afraid of facing life without illusions.
The question is central to the play's meaning, and the distinction between fact and fantasy is not revealed until the final game involving George and Martha's son. This game is the one thing that has held their marriage together, and ending the game is a confrontation with reality.
"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolfe" continues through Sunday and also April 21-25. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $7 for Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday shows; $8 for Friday and Saturday. For reservations, call the box office at 774-2660.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB