Long Beach Playhouse to Present DEATH OF A SALESMAN, 5/23-6/20

The Long Beach Playhouse proudly presents Death of a Salesman on its Mainstage Theater from May 23 to June 20, 2015. Written by Arthur Miller, the play centers on the life of Willy Loman, a traveling salesman who is past his prime, is struggling to remain relevant and is seeing his life and values reflected back to him through his two sons. His wife, Linda, is faithful in her love and her defense and protection of him, despite his many flaws.

"This is truly a thrilling work of deep and revealing beauty by one of the true masters of American Drama," said Andrew Vonderschmitt, Executive and Producing Artistic Director for the Playhouse. "Willy Loman has become the quintessential image of the traveling salesman, forever chasing his dream of success, but always falling short of true contentment and happiness."

The play is presented in a series of dreamlike flashbacks that show the failing philosophy of Willy's life, even as he stubbornly hangs onto the need to be liked. His hopes and regrets are shared by everyone who has questioned life choices.

The 12-member cast is a mix of new-to-the-Playhouse actors and returning veterans. Willy Loman is played by Karl Schott who makes his fourth Playhouse appearance. Harriet Whitmyer, long remembered for her turn as Helga Ten Dorp in Deathtrap, is cast as Linda Loman. Skip Blas, always an audience favorite, plays Ben Loman. Other Playhouse veterans include: Phie Mura, John Conway, Zackary Salene, Robyn Hastings, and Rob Ramon Flores. Making their debuts at the Playhouse are: Nick Warnock, Tyler Gray and Gary Douglas. Twenty-year Playhouse veteran Carl daSilva is directing the production.

"It's the first time the Playhouse has done the play," said Vonderschmitt. "We are going to work hard to make sure it was worth the wait for our audiences."

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THIS PLAY:

• Pay what you can Thursday May 21
• Two for One Preview Friday May 22 - Tickets are $12.00
• Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on May 23 - Tickets are $27.00

Adults are $24.00, seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00. Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00-2:00 pm on scheduled matinees.

Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA, 90804, right across from the Long Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.

Pictured: Zackary Salene as Happy and Rob Ramon Flores as Stanley. Photo by Mike Hardy.

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