The Red and Black

Issue date: 8/18/08 Section: Variety

Media Credit: Courtesy Kristen Kundert-Grass Ray Paolino and Kristen Kundert-Gibbs, two members of the University's acting faculty, play George and Martha in the University production of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" [Click to enlarge]

The University's theatre department is not afraid to give Athens a taste of professionalism. Its performance of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" lasts for three more nights - tonight through Wednesday. The famous American play, set in New England in the 1960s, is almost three hours long, and is drenched in alcohol and vulgarity.

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" follows a couple, George and Martha, as they fight and humiliate each other in front of their unknowing guests, Nick and Honey. George and Martha use the couple as pawns in their psychological warfare before finally turning their fire on them as well.

Two members of the University's acting faculty, Ray Paolino and Kristin Kundert-Gibbs, play George and Martha. Paolino is the head of the University's Master of Fine Arts acting program and the Bachelor of Arts acting curriculum. Kundert-Gibbs is an assistant professor in the acting program.

"This is a great opportunity for a local audience to experience professional theater," said Kundert-Gibbs, "and UGA supporters can witness UGA acting students taking part in professional theater as well."

Nick and Honey are played by Jonathon Phipps and Ruth Crews, members of the University's Graduate Acting Ensemble.

The graduate actors won their roles after an intense audition process. The play is not the first professional experience for Phipps, but it is for Crews.

"It is a dream come true," said Crews. "I have worked so hard for this and it is an incredible experience to be working with professionals on such a great play."

Crews is a graduate student from Clarkesville, Tenn. working toward her MFA in acting.

The play, which opened in 1962, originally was laced with profanity, which writer Edward Albee later eliminated. In 2000, Albee famously revived the play, adding the vulgarity back in and calling it the definitive script.

The University Theatre's production follows the revived, definitive script. The play's intensity comes from that raw script that is, at times, comedic.

The play is previewing at the University's Cellar Theatre before moving to 7 Stages in Atlanta, where it will run for three weeks. Del Hamilton, artistic director of 7 Stages, is directing the play.

The production features a small ensemble and a simplistic set. All props are naturalistic and there is no audience involvement. The focus of the play is on the characters and the language itself.

Tickets are on sale at the Box Office located in the Fine Arts Building from noon to 5 p.m.

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