Edward Albee's
Seascape

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"American Century has done it right . . . one of its best productions ever" - D.C. Theatre Scene

"a summery and delicious production" - Show Biz Radio

Part domestic drama, part satire, part science fiction and part philosophy debate, Edward Albee’s Seascape tells the story of Nancy and Charlie, a troubled, aging American couple facing tensions in their relationship as they contemplate retirement. Their visit to an East Coast beach is enlivened by the unexpected appearance of another couple, Leslie and Sarah, who join them in wide-ranging discussions of trust, communications, human progress, evolution, empathy and more. The perspective of Leslie and Sarah is especially interesting, because they are large, scaly, humanoid sea-lizards, highly-evolved and considering a life-altering move from the ocean to the land.

Edward Albee is generally regarded as America’s greatest living playwright. He is also one of its bravest and most versatile, and none of his plays proves this more than his 1975 drama Seascape, which won him the second of his four Pulitzer prizes for drama. Funny, whimsical, complex, and challenging, the play defies conventional labels, and creates an evening of constant surprises, not the least of which is that it shows its famously acerbic and pessimistic playwright in an upbeat and playful mood.

Directed by Steven Scott Mazzola

Running time: 1 hour, 55 minutes with one intermission