Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • NPR

    Why A Theater Director Made A 'Color-Conscious Choice' In 'Virginia Woolf' Casting

    A small theater in Portland, Ore., cast an African-American actor in Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? But the Albee estate wouldn't grant the rights to produce the 1962 play.
    by Jeff Lunden May 31, 2017 3 minutes
    Elizabeth Taylor, (from left) George Segal, Richard Burton and Sandy Dennis starred in the 1966 film adaptation of Edward Albee's play, <em>Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? </em>A theater director in Portland recently cast an African-American actor as Nick (Segal's role) — and found the Albee estate withheld rights to the play.

    It all started when a director and producer from a tiny theater in Portland, Ore., posted a message on Facebook; he was outraged that the Edward Albee estate wouldn't grant him rights to produce Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? because he'd cast a black actor in one of the roles. His post went viral, and a firestorm ensued.

    Michael Streeter says he wanted to dust off Albee's 55-year-old play and give it a new angle. So, he cast an African-American actor in the role of Nick, a young biology

    You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

    More from NPR

    NPR3 min readInternational Relations
    Newly Elected Prime Minister In Solomon Islands Is Likely To Keep Close China Ties
    Solomon Islands lawmakers elected former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as prime minister Thursday in a development that suggests the South Pacific island nation will maintain close ties with China.
    NPR8 min read
    How Some Faculty Members Are Defending Student Protesters, In Actions And In Words
    The protests sweeping college campuses don't just involve students. Professors are increasingly pushing back against university administrations they see as infringing on students' free speech rights.
    NPR3 min read
    New York Police Have Cleared Hamilton Hall And The Encampment At Columbia University
    New York police officers cleared pro-Palestinian student encampments late Tuesday night at two campuses as similar protests continued to simmer across the country's higher education institutions.

    Related Books & Audiobooks