NTC Stages Arthur Miller Classic DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Novato Theater Company continues its entertaining and provocative 2017- 2018 season with the Arthur Miller classic, Death of a Salesman, one of the greatest plays in American Theatre. The NTC production is directed by Carl Jordan and produced by Candace Brown and Nick Moore. Death of a Salesman runs February 1-18 at the NTC Playhouse, 5420 Nave Drive in Novato.

Death of a Salesman chronicles the last days in the life of Willy Loman, a man who has spent more than three decades in sales and now, in his early sixties, finds his numbers-and his mind-slipping. Biff, his 34-year-old son, is out of work and running out of options. Happy, two years younger, compulsively exaggerates his own accomplishments. Willy's devoted wife, Linda, supports him unconditionally, but her constant encouragement cannot keep him moored to reality. Willy is literally haunted by the past, and visions of happier days and lost opportunities continually intrude as he struggles to make sense of the present moment. At heart, this is the story of the members of this American family's love for each other, and Willy's corrosive love for the American Dream.

Cast

Willy - Joe Winkler
Linda - Madeleine Ashe
Biff - Chris Ginesi
Happy - Neil Thollander
Charlie - Richard Kerrigan
Ben - Alan Weber
Howard - Michael Remak
Stanley - Al Christenson
Bernard - Matt Farrell
The Woman - Angela Squire
Letta/Jenny - Caitlin Strom-Martin
Ms. Forsyth - Lauren Bryn

Crew

Director - Carl Jordan
Producers - Candace Brown and Nick Moore
Assistant Director - Nicolas Christenson
Stage Manager - Brigid Tillotson
Set Designer - Ron Krempetz
Lighting Designer - Frank Sarrubi
Costume Designer - Janice Deneau - Costumes - Janice Deneau, Mary Weinberg
Sound Designer - Steve Dietz
Props - Maureen Scheuenstuhl
Set Construction - Michael Walraven

The Playwright and the Play

Arthur Miller (1915 - 2005) is a major figure in twentieth-century American theater. Among his most popular plays are All My Sons (1947), Death of a Salesman (1949), The Crucible (1953) and A View from the Bridge (1955, revised 1956). He also wrote several screenplays and was most noted for his work on The Misfits (1961) which starred Clark Gable and Marylyn Monroe. Miller was often in the public eye, particularly during the late 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s. During this time, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama; testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee; and was married to Marilyn Monroe (1956-61.)

Death of a Salesman received the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. The play premiered on Broadway in February 1949, running for 742 performances, and has been revived on Broadway four times,[1] winning three Tony Awards for Best Revival. Death of a Salesman has been numbered on the short list of finest American plays in the 20th century alongside Long Day's Journey into Night and A Streetcar Named Desire.

A Note from Director Carl Jordan

became attracted to the plays of Arthur Miller when I watched the Tony award-winning, Ivo von Hove's production of A View from the Bridge. This minimalist production was easily one of the most exciting and evocative pieces of theater 've seen in a long time. So, I started studying Arthur Miller's plays and I read Death of a Salesman for the first time last year. Yes, know that This is blasphemy - because I do have multiple degrees in theater. But I just had never read the play. I felt it was from another time and place. I had just watch the movie productions of the play and so now I sat down to study the play. It was incredibly difficult to read at first. But the more I read the more the Beauty and the artistry and the complexity of this play arose and seeped into my consciousness. There's a reason why this play has won so many awards -including the Pulitzer Prize for literature. it is because it is a beautiful work of art that transcends time.

If you haven't seen the play or only watched one of the various movies, I ask to take some time come see this production -with marvelous actors bringing Arthur Miller's words to life. Yes, it discusses some dark subjects -but the stories are alive in our lives right now! it is beautifully written, and with these incredibly talented artists, it is wonderfully acted as well.

CURTAIN TIMES AND TICKETS

Venue: NTC Playhouse, 5420 Nave Dr., Novato 94949

Preview: Thursday, February 1 at 7:30 pm

Opens: Friday, February 2 at 8:00 pm

Runs: Fridays and Saturdays: 8:00 pm; Sundays: 2:00 pm, through Feb. 18

Tickets: $27 Adults, $21 NTC Members and Subscribers, $24 Seniors/Students, $12 Children 12 and under, $15 Preview. Online ticketing at www.novatotheatercompany.org; call (415) 883-4498 for questions/information only. Theater box office now accepts touchless payment, credit and debit cards. Open Seating • Free Parking • ADA Compliant

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