Death of a Salesman - Too good to be missed

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Willy Loman, in the play Death of a Salesman, written by Arthur Miller and currently directed by Mike Nichols

The story is depressing. At the end of the play, the actors are so depleted of energy that they can barely stand in front of the also exhausted public to receive their well deserved "standing ovation". It's indeed a very good production.

The play is so intense, so well interpreted that you, as a spectator, end up participating in the suffering of the characters and that is why you're completely washed out at the end. You actually want the tragedy to end, but at the same time you are curious to know how those people found themselves in that situation. It is so real, so well played, that is almost as if you were living the whole drama under your skin. As if you became one of them.

According to my husband they screamed too much. I agree with him. At some point it was unbearable and I just wanted to ask them to stop arguing. But I don't think it's an exaggeration of the actors, I think it's part of the play. They want you to feel uncomfortable with their pain and their choices in life. You almost feel like a voyeur. You shouldn't be in their house, looking at their problems. Don't you have your own back at home? Why are you judging them? 

The actors are fantastic. I already admired Philip Seymour Hoffman for his work on screen, but seeing him on the stage was priceless. In my opinion, he's by far one of the best actors of the moment. And Linda Edmond is so credible, she makes us feel that acting is easy. 

Death of a Salesman, directed by Mike Nichols is currently being played at Ethel Barrymore Theater, here in New York and I definitely recommend to buy the tickets early because they are selling fast and the play only goes until June 2nd.