Encore to present 'Death of a Salesman'

LIMA - You might recognize Willy Loman as your father, husband or brother.

You might even see something of yourself in the iconic play "Death of a Salesman," opening tonight at Encore Theatre in Lima.

According to director George Dunster, the Encore board of directors wanted a strong play to finish the 2007-2008 Encore Season when "Death of a Salesman" was selected (Dunster assumed directing duties after the original director, George Frazee, died in September). This is the first time Encore has performed the show since 1963.

"Death of a Salesman" was one of Arthur Miller's earlier works but helped establish him as one of the 20th century's great American playwrights. The 1949 drama, which chronicles the degeneration of an aging salesman and his family, won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1949, the 1949 Tony Award for Best Play and the New York Drama Critic's Circle Award for Best Play. It has also inspired several successful revivals which have garnered Tony Awards of their own.

To tackle such a venerable play, the 2008 cast and crew planned extra time and consideration into this production, said director George Dunster.

"We put an extra week of rehearsal into this show," he said. "We have gone back and studied the original (Broadway) product from 1949. We even brought in the head of the English department at Wright State University-Lake Campus to talk about Arthur Miller and the play itself."

Cast selection was also done with care, Dunster said. The cast of 11 features experienced community theater actors in supporting roles and Rick Workman in the lead role of aging salesman Willy Loman.

"Rick, in my estimation, is one of the finest community theater actors in the area," he said. "He's been in quite a few plays and is very highly regarded. This is a play he's been wanting to do for a very long time. At this point in his theatrical career, he has the experience, depth and knowledge and age to be able to take on the role."

Dunster said he hopes Lima audiences will not be intimidated by the production. With a crackerjack cast, impressive staging and lighting and the original play's score, Dunster said the production will be excellent.

"I think there's going to be some curiosity and some misgivings about us doing a strong drama like this," he said. "I think we're going to give the audience a strong evening of theater. Encore has a history of strong and wonderful dramas, and we hope people will give us the opportunity to show that we can do something like this."

"Death of a Salesman"

WHEN: 8 p.m. today, Saturday, May 16 and 17; 2 p.m. Sunday and May 18

WHERE: Encore Theatre, 991 North Shore Drive, Lima

COST: Adults $13, seniors $11, youths $8

FOR MORE INFO: Call 419-223-8866 for tickets.