MORE LIFE FOR DEATH
Rob Morrow’s completely compelling interpretation of Willie Loman in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman has made the show so popular that an extension has been announced. Slated to close on August 4, 2019, the exciting event will play until August 25 (dark August 12 -15).
The miracle of Death of a Salesman is that it contains so many themes relevant to today’s world — the American Dream, the disconnect of father and son, a lifetime of work resulting in fiscal emptiness, self-deception — that this 1949 play can truly be called timeless.
This seminal script is like a beautiful and well-built Packard. This is a memory play in which salesman Willy Loman — 60, suicidal, despondent, lonely, mercurial, desperate, and barely clinging to sanity — suddenly aborts a business trip and returns to his wife, Linda, and their New York City home. Also living at home are Willy’s floundering adult children: Biff, a once-promising football star, and Happy, a womanizing and lost sales assistant. Throughout the play, scenes from Willy’s past are played out as he examines his legacy.
Loman believes in the American Dream but never achieved it. He lies to himself, to his loving and protective wife, Linda (the excellent Lee Garlington) and to both his sons Biff (Robert Adamson) and Happy (Dylan Rourke) about how he is well-loved by his customers. Of course, they see right through him.
Willie’s only hope now lies with his boys, who he believes will make something of their lives and in turn save him. But it’s obvious that this will never happen. His sons are as broken as Willie himself.
This 70th anniversary revival directed by Mike Reilly proves the play’s timelessness. This great American Tragedy definitely needs to be seen.
photos by Ed Krieger
Death of a Salesman
Ruskin Group Theatre
3000 Airport Ave in Santa Monica, CA
Fri and Sat at 8; Sun at 2 (dark July 12-14)
ends on August 4, 2019 EXTENDED to August 25, 2019 (dark August 15 – 18)
for tickets, call 310.397.3244 or visit Ruskin
