From Brisbane to India and London to Washington, Arthur Miller’s classic to be performed globally in 2019 Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, is widely lauded as one of the greatest plays of the 20th century, winning countless awards, going on to be revived on Broadway four times and regularly adapted for cinema and television. 70 years on from its Broadway debut, Miller’s towering classic is arguably as relevant now as it was in 1949.
This year, Queensland Theatre Company joins prestigious theatre companies across the globe performing Death of a Salesman in its 70th anniversary year. In fact, Queensland Theatre Company’s production, which commenced preview performances last week and officially opens this Thursday February 14, has had the honour of performing the play exactly 70 years after it opened on Broadway – 10 February 1949.
To acknowledge the significance of this event, the cast and crew of Queensland Theatre’s production received a special message from Dr Stephen Marino, President of the Arthur Miller Society & Editor of the Arthur Miller Journal. Dr Marino, who recorded his message from his office located in in the same Brooklyn neighbourhood that Arthur Miller lived in the 19402 &1950s.
“I hope you move your audiences to the same tears and cheers that happened at the Morosco Theatre on Broadway 70 years ago, so I will be thinking of you on Opening Night – break a leg!” said Dr Marino.
Apart from the Queensland Theatre’s production, one of the most highly anticipated productions will be performed at the Young Vic in London from May-June, directed by two-time Tony winner Marianne Elliott and starring an all-black cast including Wendell Pierce (Jack Ryan, Suits, The Wire).
Another is an Indian adaption entitled Salesmaner Mrityu (Bengali translation) directed by and starring popular Indian actor/singer/writer/director Anjan Dutt. There are also productions taking place throughout the United States by theatre companies in New Jersey, California, Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, South Carolina, Montana, Washington & Michigan (where Miller went to University and first started work as a journalist).
Seasoned director Jason Klarwein (My Name is Jimi, Much Ado About Nothing) helms Queensland Theatre’s production of Miller’s towering classic with a star-studded cast featuring Charles Allen (True West, Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story), Kevin Hides (Composing Venus, A Conversation), Peter Kowitz (Janet King, Crownies), Thomas Larkin (The Wider Earth, Macbeth), Jackson McGovern (The Owl and the Pussycat, Rent –The Musical), Angie Milliken (The Effect, Rake), Sarah Ogden (The Crucible, Moth), Ilai Swindells (SLiDE, Harrow) and Gemma Willing (Tidelands, Wuthering Heights).
Queensland Theatre presents Death of a Salesman in the Playhouse – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) until 2 March 2019. For more information, visit: www.queenslandtheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Peter Kowitz stars in Death of a Salesman (supplied)