Perhaps the most useful "sound byte" from this article, a direct quote from Jonathan Lomma of WME, Albee's agent, and now agent of Albee's estate:
"While it has been established that non-Caucasian actors in different combinations have played all the roles in the play at various times with Edward’s approval, he was consistently wary of directors attempting to use his work to provide their own commentary by, for instance, casting only Nick as non-white, which essentially transforms George and Martha into older white racists, which is not what Edward’s play is about.”
The current production at Pulse Theatre Chicago features black actors as George and Martha, while white actors portray Honey and Nick.
I think this is important. Even if there is something brilliant a director might bring out of a production of "Woolf?" with an all-white-except-Nick production, this is a rare case in which those circumstances would turn it in to a different play. And as an artist myself, I have to respect the author's intent, especially during his/ her lifetime. |
