“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

[rating=5] It has been sometime since I last saw a production of Edward Albee’s  “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”, and I never anticipated that a small storefront theater company would put on the one that I saw tonight. It was dynamite. For those of you who have seen the film version with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, you ain’t seen nothing until you see  what Invictus Theatre of Chicago does in the intimate ( to be honest, teeny) theater called the Reginald Vaughn , a storefront on Thorndale, just East of the Red Line station.

This is a four row seating area with what appears to be 10 seats per, making it a house of 50 spectators and with the set, those seated in the first row have to stay very alert as the 4 characters could easily end up on their laps. Smoothly directed by Charles Askenaizer on a set designed by Kevin Rolfs who also did one hell of a job with assembling the props for this amazing production. The visuals are sheer perfection. Marquecia Jordan’s costumes are just right as well. The four characters in this story are unique in history, background and personality and the costumes indicate each perfectly. Warren Levon’s sound and Levi J. Wilkins lighting add to the story as do the fighting and intimacy designed by Jay Donley. These are the technical people that are involved along with the stage manager, Julia Witty who makes sure that everything is where it needs to be from start to finish, which in this case is three hours plus. ( running time tonight was three hours and forty minutes – this includes a 10 minute delay to start and two 10 minute intermissions- yes, it is a three act play).

Now, on to the story and the four actors who tell us the story as if Albee himself was the puppeteer and they were the puppets on his stage. We are on the campus of  a university. There was a party where new professors and instructors were greeted and met by those who have been around for many years. George ( James Turano truly has his character down) and his wife, Martha ( a fantastic performance by Andrea Uppling ) have invited  a new couple to their home for an “after party” get to know you. As we learn during the story, this is something they do on a regular basis.

The young couple, Nick ( Keenan Odenkirk) a Biology Associate Professor and his wife, Honey ( Rachel Livingston is adorable, funny and a delight to watch) are childless and have their own back story. In fact, both couples are not what they appear to be and during this night of drinking and sparring, flirting and telling truths and lies, we learn a great deal about how people survive the lives they have chosen or perhaps someone else chose for them. During the three acts each character has their shining moments. Honey is the least involved in the games that George and Martha forge on the evening. Yes, what we are watching is almost like a match or chess game. George makes a move and Martha counters-Martha makes her move and George must decide his next move. This goes back and forth and forth and back, and while playing the game, secrets come out. Not just those of George and Martha, but the truth of how Nick and Honey became a couple as well.  I am sure that the Jeff members in this audience were impressed with every aspect of what this production is. The tech side is more than one might expect from a small company in an even smaller space, and the four actors are over the top. Three hours of drinking and screaming, of physical exertion and keeping in character is not an easy task. All four of these actors did their jobs ( and then some). Turano is someone who I have heard on the radio for years. He is aka as Elton Jim as he follows Elton John around the country ( or should I say world). I would never expect him to take on a role like this and make it his own- he did it!

Ms. Uppling is a strong Martha and has the right touch for being sexy when needed, powerful when needed and remorseful when needed. She brings every emotion possible to the table. Mr. Odenkirk makes Nick the pawn in the battle of George and Martha work. He is that nice guy, looking for success, but who doesn’t truly love Honey. He does need a wife to enjoy his success and as we learn in the second act, she had money. Honey is the plainest of all and Ms. Livingston captures the essence of her character perfectly. She is  unworldly and has been protected by others her whole life. She smiles, she giggles and she adores Nick. But as the play goes on, we learn her secrets as well.

One can only assume, from the conversations between George and Marta, that they have played this “game” before. Is there a winner to the “game”? You be the judge!

“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” will continue at the Reginald Vaughn Theatre, located at 1106 West Thorndale thru June 12th with performances as follows:

Mondays  7 p.m.

Thursdays  7 p.m.

Fridays  7 p.m.

Saturdays  7 p.m.

Sundays  3  p.m.

Tickets  $31 ( students with valid ID and seniors  $26)

to order tickets go to www.invicustheatreco.com

Covid-19 precautions are proof of vaccination and ID at door and masks on throughout the entire performance.

NOTE: Parking is metered on Thorndale , come early to find street parking on side streets. The lobby of the theater is quite small, but their neighbor Rewired can be a great spot for a bite or a drink and is perfect for the 10 minute intermissions.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”.