"Endless, convoluted discussions, wonderments, arguments, belittlements, encouragements, fiery resolutions, abdications, returns, partings tremendous opportunities and small, squeaking dénouements and all in the kitchen now occupied by strangers who cannot hear what the walls are saying.
The image of aging and so many of your friends already gone and strangers in the seats of the mighty who do not know you or your triumphs or your incredible value.
The image of your son’s hard, public eye upon you, no longer swept by your myth … no longer knowing you have lived for him and wept for him.
The image of ferocity when love has turned to something else, and yet is there, is somewhere in the room if one could only find it.
The image of people turning into strangers who only evaluate each other.
Above all, perhaps, the image of a need greater than hunger or sex or thirst, a need to leave a thumbprint somewhere on the world. A need for immortality, and by admitting it, the knowing that one has carefully inscribed one’s name on a cake of ice on, hot July day."
– Arthur Miller, Introduction to Collected Plays, 1957, Viking Press, NY
This afternoon I saw The Alley Theater's production of "Death of a Salesman," which is one of the most important - if not THE most important - play of the 20th century. Many critics argue it is the greatest American play ever. Written in 1949, this modern classic still has many relevant issues and statements on American life today: economic hardships, lack of loyalty by companies to longtime employees, ambition or lack thereof, career goals, the definitions of success and failure in conjunction with the American dream, misguided values, betrayal, and difficult familial relationships and conflict.
In the play, Willy Loman passed on his distorted values to his sons, Biff and Happy and, as the drama unfolds, it becomes clear that this play is as much about Biff as it is Willy. While deeming the play "one of the modern theater's most overpowering evenings," critic John Mason Brown called it "a tragedy modern and personal, not classical and heroic, because its central figure is a little man sentenced to discover his smallness rather than a big man undone by his greatness."
In the Alley production, the flashbacks interspersed with current action were more distracting than convincing. The musical interludes were more disruptive than effective. Despite a convincing performance by Glenn Fleshler, the staging and pacing left me wanting more from this great American drama. This performance had potential but was ultimately more flawed than successful - just like Willy and Biff.
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