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Article Text:
By Joseph T. Rozmiarek
HPU theater has a live one in its “Death
of a Salesman”
In "Death of a Salesman" at
It also doesn't hurt that the Arthur Miller play is considered by
some to be the best American play ever written.
The 1949 play applies ancient Greek dramatic principles to a
commonplace anti-hero, traveling salesman Willy Loman.
At the end of his career and near physical and mental exhaustion, Willy's fate
is made clear by the play's title.
His tragic character flaw is that he lives in a created reality
built on supreme confidence in a smile and a shoeshine. But after a lifetime of
espousing unrelenting competition, Willy is left with crumbling personal
relationships.
The play is also Miller's statement against the American
middle-class myth of unending prosperity that ignored the twin realities of the
Cold War abroad and increasing class tensions at home.
Broader statements aside, the HPU production succeeds on the human
level.
Don Pomes creates a vivid performance as the demanding central
character. Pomes shows us a Willy very near breakdown
and increasingly unable to differentiate between memory, imagination and daily routine.
At one moment he is angry or stubbornly insistent. The next, he is lost is a
haze of past voices.
The role is physically demanding, with the character on stage
almost continuously during the play's three hours. Pomes' approach is
relentless in pressing the character against inevitable odds. Willy's mild
dementia grows to panic and ultimately to the desperation that fuels his tragic
end.
Scot Davis is also excellent as the eldest son, Biff. A high
school hero, now lost on his own life path, Biff helps Wil!
ly conceal a dark incident
that precipitated their estrangement. But a s Biff
travels through the play, he comes to greater personal clarity. The two
characters' final confrontation is wrenching and memorable.
Sylvia Hormann-Alper helps anchor the
family as steadfast wife Linda. It's a reactive role, quietly supportive, but
punctuated with moments of fierce defense for a man to whom "attention
must be paid." Hormann-Alper neatly underplays
the emotion until the role demands its release.
The supporting characters are clearly created and without a false
note among them.
Joshua Gulledge is convincing as Happy,
the wastrel younger son. Hank Chapin is the realistic and understanding
neighbor Charlie, and Brad Powell is appropriately chilling as the vision of
Willy's successful older brother Ben.
Michael Walters' set and Cathie Anderson's lighting allow for mul! tiple
locales to coexist in the small playing area, and Dennis Graue's
sound design underscores and heightens the emotion.
HPU offers a small gem with this production - polished and
emotionally uncompromising.
Drop-in:
Death of a Salesman
$14 discounts for students, seniors
375-1282
Copyright (c) The
Record Number: hon2002111212445309
Column: Rozmiarek Joseph T
Stage
Review
Author: Rozmiarek Joseph; Freelance OK
Author: Advertiser Final
Section:
Page: 3E
Dateline:
Index Terms:
Stage Review
Entertainment
Play
Death of a Salesman
Deceased Name: Maltby Joyce Miller
Arthur