University’s “Death Of A Salesman” is liked, and well liked at that

At one point, everyone has come across "Death of a Salesman," whether in a high school English class or when reading about its famous playwright, Arthur Miller.

On Saturday Nov. 22 "Death of a Salesman" was revived in the Student Union directed by Steven McCasland and produced by Group Therapy Productions.

The story of "Death of a Salesman" follows Willie Loman, a salesman for life, who tries to support his wife, Linda, and two sons, Biff and Happy. Chasing the American Dream, dealing with the emotions of feeling disappointment and the hardships of family values follow the characters throughout the play.

McCasland always seems to have the audience interact with his cast in some way. The audience was seated on sides of the set and the cast would occasionally talk through the audience as if their point of interest was just through the warm bodies watching them. Although at times it was disappointing to only see the back of the actors due to seating placement, the fourth wall is always tested with McCasland's directing and that is refreshing.

A blanket of leaves littered the ground of the stage giving the air a smell of autumn. The director's note explained this technique to be one of "signs of a changing time, of a world revolving…" was a great addition and played with all the viewer's senses.

The cast entered onto the stage and stood stationary in front of the audience, silently introducing themselves. When Linda Loman (Kimberly Diamond) spoke her first line, she set the tone of the play to be an intense one. Diamond plays an amazing Linda. As she interacted with her husband, main character Willy Loman (Rory Allan Meditz), she shows herself as a shield to protect Willy from reality. Diamond is so intense you can feel every one of her aches.

Meditz on the other hand keeps you in limbo. The audience seemed to be afraid to breath as he walked close to each raise platform where the audience was seated, almost breaking the fourth wall. He keeps you entranced and the glazed over look her holds never falters unless he is in that limbo Loman's reality and flashbacks.

Another stand out performance was done by Trevor St. Pierre who played the role of Biff Loman. You could see the transition between the first act, a middle-aged guy with a temper, to the second act, a son who just wants his father to love him and to see reality. You are brought up and down with St. Pierre's emotions, and members of the audience actually cried as the strained relationship developed throughout the night.

More amazing performances were done by Bradley LeBoeuf, playing Happy Loman and Danielle Stout, playing Bernard. LeBoeuf, showing the "yes man" attitude of the family dynamic and is the mirror image of his father. Pity is felt for his character because it is inevitable that he will be following the same path as his father.

Stout was great, along with three other women in the show that were put into traditionally male casted roles. A challenge she had was playing Bernard in two different age groups (one in the teens and the other in mid-thirties) but she overcame them with leaps and bounds. Too many women play men's role and perpetuate women's characteristics into their characters but Stout held her own and wowed the audience.

One character that is overlooked in the play is Uncle Ben, Willy Loman's brother (Benvolio Tomaiuolo) who portrayed that illusiveness Willy is looking for. Tomaiuolo did as very good job staying aloof from Meditz's character and always keeping you curious of what type of interaction the two brothers might have if Ben was alive.

Comic relief was brought to the set by Stanley (Macaela Sears) who brightened up a dramatic moment between the Loman men. Other notable performances were given by Charley (Beth Ann Daddona), Howard (Ellen Toland), Jenny (Kelly Reader), Miss Forsythe (Samantha Mercado), Letta (Megan Smith), and The Woman (Miranda Hennum).

The University's rendition of "Death of a Salesman" was a refreshing interpretation of a classic.