Redtwist Theatre presents DEATH OF A SALESMAN Review

From the moment Brian Parry as Willy Loman comes onstage to begin living out the great story of the salesman’s unraveling, we latch. Parry’s Loman is at once someone we want to distance ourselves from—like his son Biff (played by Matt Edmonds), protect—like his steadfast wife Linda (played by Jan Ellen Graves), or perhaps distract in hopes of easing his roiling within—like his ever trying to please him son Happy (played by Benjamin Kerberger) ,or his neighbor and friend Charley (played by Adam Bitterman).

Death of a Salesman script seen anew

While other productions of this play seem to emphasize more the difficulties of a salesman past his prime, Parry’s performance keeps Loman’s flaming flaws the centerstage focus.

Not that we don’t sympathize with Willy even when he so disappoints us. Miller’s script demands that we do and the actors give every line that speaks to Willy’s humanity the gravitas that is their due. We hear it first so clearly from Graves’as Linda reminding her sons that their father is human. And, then later we hear it with the force of kettle drums when Willy’s friend and neighbor Charley, gives his graveside summation of the life, and death, of a salesman. This is a soliloquy delivered so naturally by Bitterman that you walk away wondering if he is acting as this New Yorker wise man or if he is him.

These are powerhouse performances, with the possible exception of the re-enactments of childhood scenes where the decision to simplify many of the characters into more cartoon-like stereotypes somewhat puzzles. On the other hand, this perhaps helps us to cherish their nuanced performances by these actors in their adult character roles—the two sons portrayed by Matt Edmonds and Benjamin Kirbirger and Devon J. Minerfroh as Charley’s son Bernard.