Christopher Lloyd Opens DEATH OF A SALESMAN at Weston Playhouse, 8/26

The Weston Playhouse Theatre Company proudly presents Death of a Salesman, a Tony award and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama that is perhaps the greatest of all American plays, on its MainStage from August 26 through September 11. Augmenting the special nature of this production is the presence of noted actor Christopher Lloyd, who returns to Weston in the classic role of Willy Loman. The production, sponsored by The Vermont Country Store and The Orton Family, with media sponsorship from Vermont Public Television, and supported in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Vermont Arts Council and the Vermont Community Foundation, will conclude with matinee performances for area schools and a 3-week New England Tour ending in mid-October.

Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman was an immediate critical and popular success from its Broadway premiere in 1949. The story of a common traveling salesman who fights changing times and his own failings to claim his family's right to the American Dream has since become one of the most performed plays in modern theatrical history.

While Christopher Lloyd is most widely known for television and film performances such as Taxi and Back to the Future, this Emmy and Obie Award-winning actor has an impressive and extensive theatrical resume. He has starred on and off Broadway and at major regional theatres in such diverse plays as Kaspar, Happy End, Morning's at Seven, Twelfth Night and Waiting for Godot. He began his professional career in Weston in 1964 and last returned in 1990 to play Sherlock Holmes opposite his brother Sam.

Lloyd is joined by Amy Van Nostrand (Broadway, the Guthrie, Weston's Private Lives) as Linda; Markus Potter (Denver Center, Long Wharf, Weston's As You Like It) as Biff; Nathan Darrow (Broadway's In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play, Berkeley Rep) as Happy; Matt Harrington (Syracuse Stage, Full Circle) as Bernard; Munson Hicks (Broadway's August: Osage County, Weston's Copenhagen) as Charley; Philip Kerr (6 Broadway shows, Weston's Proof) as Uncle Ben; David Bonanno (Broadway's The Light in the Piazza, Weston's Stones in His Pockets) as Howard and Stanley; Brandy Zarle (Second Stage, Weston's Tartuffe) as The Woman; Elizabeth Morton (Intiman, Actors Theatre of Louisville) as Jenny and Letta; and Beth Hylton (Kennedy Center, the Hippodrome) as Miss Forsythe.

Death of a Salesman will be directed by WPTC Producing Director Steve Stettler, who in recent years has directed Weston's The Light in the Piazza, A Number and the fall tour of Metamorphoses. He has directed in New York, regionally on both coasts and internationally, including a celebrated production of Miller's A View From the Bridge at the Ibsen Theatre in Norway. He will be supported by a creative team of Weston veterans including Timothy R. Mackabee (Scenic Designer), Stuart Duke (Lighting Designer), Kirche Leigh Zeile (Costume Designer), Daniel Kluger (Composer/Sound Designer), and Kathleen Petroziello (Production Stage Manager). Patricia Norcia will serve as dialect coach and Michael Burnet will serve as fight director.

"This play - amazingly never seen before on the Weston stage, the superb cast and design team, and the long-awaited return of Christopher Lloyd, presents us with the opportunity of a lifetime," said director Stettler. "This was the show that Chris wanted to do and the place he wanted to do it. We're very excited to share it with our largest and broadest audience ever through our extended schedule of performances at home and on tour."

Like all Weston productions, Death of a Salesman is complemented by extensive education and outreach programs. Director Stettler will discuss the play in The Playhouse Living Room 30 minutes before curtain on August 26, 27 and before the August 28 matinee. He will also lead a talkback in the theatre with members of the cast following the performance on Sundays August 29 and September 5. A Stage Notes performance guide and a list of tour locations can be found at westonplayhouse.org.

Reservations for Death of a Salesman and dinner at The Playhouse's Cafe at the Falls restaurant may be made at The Playhouse box office window, by calling 802-824-5288, or by visiting www.westonplayhouse.org. MasterCard, Visa and American Express are accepted. Ask about Vermont resident, youth and student discounts.

The Weston Playhouse Theatre Company is a non-profit organization supported in part by funds from the Vermont Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and an ever-growing family of individuals who believe in the impact that the performing arts can have on its community.