As the first snow of the season fell on our little town last night, Arthur Miller’s famous play opened on the LHU main-stage, November 7, 2019. Opening scene of the tired old stooping man entering a house holding bags in both hands, looks lifeless at first. But then, we see the main characters, Willy’s two sons Biff and Happy, and wife Linda waking up the stage to life. This is a generation crafted in the Great Depression of the 1920s in New York City. A cross-section of what actually happened to families across this country is captured thru this small four-member household. Willy’s over-expectation of himself and his son’s talents only drives him into greater and greater conflict with his elder son Biff, who at age 32 cannot hold a job and still lives at home.
Daydreaming or rather, the ‘American Dream’ brings disaster after disaster to the relationship between father and sons, mother and father, children and parents. All this, while the family struggles to survive by trying to make the two ends meet. Willy drives an old beat-up car that keeps breaking down, refrigerator in the house is worn out, the roof needs fixing, etc. Troubles keep draining the meagre income of this run-down salesman and reduces him to seek assistance from neighbors and friends.
Financial woes are not the only problem of Willy, who sees his neighbors prosper. Linda, the goodly wife bears it all thru realty check and whole heartedly supports husband Willy, despite his infidelity with another ‘women’ in Boston. This was an age of social conservatism in American society, whereby patriarchy was the order of the day. This social depression combined with economic deprivation seals Willy’s fate. With his suicide, the American Dream becomes a nightmare. The family is torn apart as Biff leaves for good and very few people actually show up for the salesman’s funeral. With him dies his sales philosophy of serving the people over profit. One can say, the reason why this play became so iconic in the history of American theatre, is its depiction of the society’s departure from the old ways into a new way of life. Measuring success and seeking happiness thru mate-rial wealth and prosperity.
This is a well-produced play. The stage space is quite efficiently utilized. Low, meandering and dark dim high-contrast lighting in the closing scene captures the entire mood on the stage dramatically. The melancholy that lingers like the ghost of Willy’s successful older brother uncle Ben, finally leads the audience into the tragedy of the entire World War II generation. The cast, character, and costume design are all quite well-done. The onstage music is the only bit of disappointment. A drowning low melancholic background echo on the stage throughout the duration of the play, would have prepared the audience for the closing scene of suicide, funeral, and Linda’s lonely tearless presence. Nevertheless, the acting and direction shows the hard work and talents of LHU University Players. Keep up the good work.
Rumor has it that the Theatre Program is being shuttered. Let’s hope it’s only a rumor. Because, over the years, our highly talented students have put out some great plays for the enjoyment of the University community. Through these plays, the theatre and art department teach us to appreciate Humanities. It’ll be shame to see it go.
