Born Edward Harvey in Washington D.C., March 12, 1928, Edward Albee was adopted as an infant by
the prominent Albee family of New York. The family’s ownership of a
national theater chain nurtured Albee’s passion for the arts.
Albee and his parents were constantly at odds over his desire to
pursue a career in theater. After failing out of two private schools, he
graduated high school and headed to Trinity College.In 1949, Albee dropped out of Trinity to pursue a career in writing. He moved to Greenwich Village, an artistic epicenter then as is now. He experimented with writing poetry and short fiction before finding a niche in playwriting.
Albee’s early Off-Broadway shows received praise for their
unconventional themes, including homoeroticism. He made his Broadway
debut with “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” which earned him his
first Tony Award and also helped establish Albee as one of America’s greatest playwrights.Albee has written more than 25 plays. His willingness to experiment with various styles earned him Pulitzer Prizes for “A Delicate Balance,” “Seascape” and “Three Tall Women.” He received two additional Tony Awards for “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?” and a revival of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”
Since moving to Greenwich Village, he has lived an openly gay life.
Recognized for pioneering the depiction of homosexuality on stage, Albee
weaves same-sex relationships throughout his work.He lived for 35 years with Jonathan Thomas, his partner, until Thomas’ death in 2005.
Albee received a Special Tony Lifetime
Achievement Award and The Academy of Achievement’s Golden Plate Award
for exceptional accomplishment in the arts.“I think we should all live on the precipice of life, as fully and as dangerously as possible.”
Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf is a great play, nice to see Albee featured in the Spotlight.
ReplyDeleteSad about Peter O'Toole, always really liked him, and Lawrence of Arabia and The Stuntman are two movies I really love.
I agree Destiny, it's great to see Albee hit the lights with a Special Out Spotlight. He's had a remarkable career and a great life.
ReplyDeleteAnd, sadness at the loss of one of the grand old men of the cinema, Peter O'Toole.
It seems to me like everyone is busy preparing for Christmas and the holiday season, I can't recall a time in the past few years when I've been so busy. The new job has me on the go constantly and with keeping up with my ageing parents it's been quite an adjustment.
Greetings to all the gang !
Glad you've popped in, Seaweed!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the Out Spotlight, Special. He made quite a career for himself and also the writer of a hugely successful play in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? His folks should be proud of their son.
I'm sad that he lost his partner.
I'll be digging up a few 'sweet' recipes. Or should I? Hardly anyone else is posting any. : ( Maybe we should postpone this after the holiday. We're all so busy.
Just a sign of the times.
special, I tried the lemon bars today. Very good and they went together quickly and easily. Thanks again. I plan to do the pound Cake next but need to buy some cream first.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about Peter OToole but he lived a full life to say the least. I can still remember the first time I laid eye on him in Lawrence of Arabia. For a bunch of horny teenage girls, he and Omar Sharif kept us buzzed for months.
I also made time to watch the .Charlie Rose interview. He always looks like he is about to fall asleep to me. Denis was very articulate, though he kept his head down a lot. Jake was good too. Acted mature for a change with less forced kidding around. But they spoke with reverence about Jackman. Earned I guess but it did make me wonder how Jake felt to be second fiddle.