Death of a Salesman

         There are many plays that are worthy of reviving. There are even some plays that are worthy of reviving more than once. There are very few plays that are worth reviving five times in only 63 years. Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman is one of those rare plays that no matter how many times it is done on Broadway, audiences still seem to flock to the theater.

          Part of the reason for their current flocking is the unparalleled cast assembled to inhabit the humble Brooklyn dwellings of the Lohman clan. The other, of course, is Arthur Millers wonderful play which, to modern audiences may seem dated in it's language and subject, is truly universal in it's themes.

        The heart of Death of a Salesman lies in The American Dream, that which is described as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Willy Lohman, a traveling salesmen, has been working his entire life to achieve this American Dream, and finds that at this stage of his life, he has very little to show for it. It is the want of most parents to create a better life for their children than they experienced. It is the want of most husbands to provide for their wives a decent home and a few comforts. Willy Lohman feels he has failed on all accounts.

   This is the plight of many an American Citizen living amongst us today. We are constantly berated with messages of what it means to "have it good" in America. We are oppressed by our bosses, our government, and various financial obligations vying for a piece of our proverbial pie. We are all faced with that most basic of questions, "What's the point?".

    In the role of Willy Lohman, Phillip Seymour Hoffman is giving a master class of a performance. Though he is at least 15 years too young to play the role, it hardly matters. This is the stuff of theatrical legend being created on the stage of the Barrymore Theater.

  He is equally matched by Andrew Garfield as favorite son Biff, Linda Emond as faithful wife Linda, and Finn Wittrock as Happy. Linda Emond as Linda Lohman brings the perfect mixture of a faithful wife who longs to see her husband happy, coupled with a woman who has been on the sidelines of her husbands life and hasn't been able to live much of her own. As Biff, Garfield may at first seem to small of frame to be portraying a former football player, but soon displays a talent so large you forget how small of stature he may in fact be.

   The rest of the cast, including John Glover as Ben, Bill camp as Charley, and Fran Kranz as Bernard are all equally wonderful in their roles. Mike Nichols direction is superb. His choice to recreate the original Broadway set designs by Jo Mielziner is a huge asset to the production. Mr. Nichols guides his cast perfectly though Arthur Millers minefields, though no character seems to come out unscathed.

  The current revival of Death of a Salesman  is currently booking through June 2nd. Due to the high demand of certain cast members, an extension is unlikely so make sure you see it while you can. There are $30 rush seats given out on the day of performance for those patrons under 30 years old. Get there at least 90 minutes before the box office opens if you want one of these tickets as the line forms early. However you see it, be sure not to miss it. To quote Linda Lohman, "Attention Must be Paid".