Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman is opening at the Old Globe on January 27th with previews starting on the 22nd.

I can’t wait to see it.

It is a story of ignorance, pride, and inadequacy with a dash of denial, dishonesty, and delusion.

Perhaps this is a cautionary tale.

As most of us know, Willy Loman is a veteran insurance salesman. Willy has recently been taken off salary and is now working on straight commission. Of course, Willy is a lousy salesman so he is borrowing money from a neighbor to pay the monthly bills.

Willy should have been a carpenter and builder. He is skilled and enjoys the major improvements he has made to the home.

Willy thinks that being a business/salesman has more value or is more prestigious than being a builder.

I think this is one of the themes Miller develops brilliantly.

Instead of doing what he loves, instead of following his talents, Willy tries to be someone he isn’t.

Willy develops a success principle for himself. The principle is to be well liked and attractive. There is one problem with this. There is no way that Willy likes himself or finds himself attractive. If he did, he would have worked with his hands.

Willy confronts his inadequacy as a salesman with daydreams and wishful thinking.

He has delusions of grandeur regarding his funeral. He tells lies about how his insurance clients appreciate him and of how vital he is to the New England region.

Instead of being true to his love of building, he creates an illusionary life that ultimately ends in suicide.

From what I’ve heard, The Globe is going to do a traditional production which I think is a good choice.

The show will be staged in The Sheryl and Harvey White Theater. This theater is “in the round” which is to say the audience surrounds the stage.

This is a unique opportunity to see a great American play in an intimate setting.