Edward Albee Biography
Edward Albee’s reputation in many ways began with the words “What a dump!” The phrase is featured in the opening scene of his groundbreaking work Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The 1962 play shocked audiences with its salty language and frank depiction of a drunken couple mired in a bitter middle-aged malaise. Highly influenced by the absurdist work of playwrights like Samuel Becket, Albee would later craft plays that were increasingly anti-realistic. His hallmark as a writer is the way he balances the realistic and the absurd, packaging big ideas in sharp, often biting dialogue. Albee’s writing is frequently heralded for its intellectuality, and Albee himself has worked as a lecturer and educator, inspiring future generations of dramatists to find their own unique theatrical voices.
Facts and Trivia
- One of Albee’s best-loved (and harrowing) short plays, The Zoo Story, was reworked by the author more than four decades later into the full-length piece Peter and Jerry.
- Fractured family dynamics figure prominently in many of Albee’s plays. That has led some critics to suggest that Albee’s tense relationship with his adopted parents was instrumental in shaping him into the writer he would become.
- Albee’s play Seascape features a decidedly Daniel-Pinkwater-ian conceit: two of the main characters are giant lizards.
- Albee’s 2002 Tony Award-winning play The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? deals with a most unusual subject: the disintegration of an upper middle-class family upon the revelation that the father has been carrying on an emotional and sexual affair with the titular goat.
- Albee has received the Pulitzer Prize for A Delicate Balance, Seascape, and Three Tall Women. Tellingly, he did not win it for his most famous and respected work, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Biography
Edward Albee, a transformative figure in American theater, was born on March 12, 1928, in Washington, DC. Adopted by Reed and Francis Albee, heirs to a theatrical fortune, he quickly became steeped in the arts. His upbringing was marked by both privilege and a profound engagement with literature and drama from a young age.
Early Life and Education
Adopted by the wealthy Albee family, Edward was introduced to the cultural riches of theater early in his life. As a child, he attended various private and military schools where he cultivated a penchant for writing. It was during these formative years that Albee took his first steps into the world of playwriting, attempting a three-act sex farce at the tender age of twelve. Despite eventually pivoting back to poetry and novels during his teenage years, his early experiments with drama foreshadowed his illustrious future.
New Beginnings in Greenwich Village
In 1946, Albee enrolled at Trinity College in Connecticut. His academic journey was brief, however, lasting only a year before he made a pivotal decision. Embracing independence, Albee relocated to New York City’s Greenwich Village using a trust fund left by his grandmother. Here, amidst the vibrant bohemian scene, he supported himself with small jobs while dedicating his energies to writing.
The Path to Playwriting
Throughout his twenties, Albee achieved modest recognition as a poet and fiction writer. Nonetheless, these successes were insufficient to sustain him financially, compelling him to continue working various odd jobs. One such position, as a Western Union messenger from 1955 to 1958, serendipitously sparked the concept for his first major play. Encounters during his rounds inspired the characters and setting of "The Zoo Story."
The Birth of "The Zoo Story"
At age thirty, Albee made a decisive shift, quitting his job to fully commit to playwriting. In a burst of creativity, he penned "The Zoo Story" in just three weeks. Drawing inspiration from theatrical giants like Samuel Beckett and Tennessee Williams, Albee crafted a narrative that would resonate internationally. After circulating among friends, "The Zoo Story" debuted at Berlin's Schiller Theater Werstatt on September 28, 1959. Its European success led to its American premiere at the Provincetown Playhouse in New York in January 1960, alongside Beckett’s "Krapp’s Last Tape."
Critical Acclaim and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"
"The Zoo Story" garnered the 1960 Village Voice Obie Award, marking Albee's emergence as a significant playwright. Yet, it was "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", which premiered in 1962, that truly cemented his legacy. The play opened on Broadway to both acclaim and controversy, eventually winning the Tony Award for Best Play. Its raw, unflinching depiction of marital strife provoked strong reactions, securing Albee's status as a formidable force in American theater. The subsequent film adaptation, featuring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, further amplified its impact.
Further Accomplishments and Legacy
Albee's career was punctuated by numerous accolades, including three Pulitzer Prizes for "A Delicate Balance" (1966), "Seascape" (1975), and "Three Tall Women" (1994). Despite mixed reviews for some of his work, Albee remained undeterred in his pursuit of innovation and experimentation in the theater. His blend of absurdism and realism not only defined his style but also influenced a new generation of playwrights, such as David Mamet and Sam Shepard. Albee’s willingness to push boundaries ensured his continued relevance in the evolving landscape of American theater.
Criticism by Edward Albee
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