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tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 2004
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 8:05 pm: |     |
In Memoriam:
Arthur Miller, creator of some of the greatest metaphors in all American history: McCarthyism and the Salem witch trials; Willy Loman and the emptiness of a life in pursuit of mere survival.
Find meaning in your lives, and care about others. Judge not, lest ye be judged.
So be it.
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Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 3897
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 4:28 pm: | |
One of the greatest minds in the twentieth century. To be 33 and write Death of a Salesman from two lines that were bugging him...
Willy???
Its alright.. I came back..
Elizabeth Franz who won the tony for Death a few years ago, lent her talents to a short film I made and tells wonderful stories of him, and my friend Ryan did one of his plays that transfered to Bway and tells the same kinds of stories. In my bedside drawer I have a handwritten note from him about the filming of The Crucible. He was accessible and generous to those that he worked with. One of the people I just wish I could have met.
He wrote till the end, with Finishing the Picture, his last major piece, opening in Chicago last October.
I am glad they dimmed the lights last night. He deserves the honor. |
sbenois
Citizen
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 13173
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 5:26 pm: | |
I'm kind of surprised that Miller's death hasn't elicited a bigger response on MOL.
If he only wrote Death of a Salesman, it would have been an achievement far beyond the reach of most mortals. But Miller also wrote a whole host of other brilliant works that were right at the center of American consciousness during very tough times in the early 50s.
He was truly an icon.
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bak
Citizen
Username: Bak
Post Number: 703
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 11:41 pm: | |
If you ever see an ad for a production of his play "All My Sons" anywhere, do yourself a favor and get tickets. It's timeless. |
Dave
Moderator
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5264
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 12:04 am: | |
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17515-2005Feb11.html
http://www.umich.edu/news/?Releases/2005/Feb05/r021105
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4258707.stm
http://www.nypost.com/commentary/40415.htm
http://www.plenglish.com/Article.asp?ID=%7BAF4E51C6-831B-4D22-ADAF-336EFBFEFE4B% 7D&language=EN
http://www.newcriterion.com/weblog/2005/02/arthur-miller-communist-stooge.html |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 3898
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 9:46 pm: | |
Sbenois... I think it is because there are some people whose artistry reached a purity that it is hard to feel like anything but a stooge when writing about such a great writer. Elizabeth Franz tells the story of one time backstage when Mr. Miller came back after the show and marched over to Brian D.'s dressing room. Dennehey said..
So??? or words to that effect and Mr. Miller said..
very nice work, but you missed a word..."Oh. second act"
How is one not intimidated to write about a writer like that? |
sbenois
Citizen
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 13177
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 10:08 pm: | |
Could be.
Since you bring Brian D up, I have a story for you.
A few years ago (5? 7? ) Brian was playing Willie Loman in the revivial of Death of a Salesman on Broadway.
Right at the crucial moment, when Dennehy was delivering the big climax...someone in the audience, some complete moron, had his cell phone go off. It was just amazing.
It rang once. Brian continued. It rang twice. Brian continued. It rang a third time...Brian continued to deliver his lines. It rang a fourth time...and without breaking from character, Dennehy shouts, "would you shut that damn thing off". Everyone smiles. Some clapping starts from the audience but Dennehy continues, finishes flawlessly and then gets a thunderous standing O at the end.
After the show we wait for him. He comes out of the theatre on 49th St. My wife gets his autograph and we tell him how great it was that he kept it together. He had a few choice words for people who bring cell phones to the theatre. Then some guy next to us says that he's visiting NY from Wyoming.
Dennehy looks at him, smiles and says "are you one of those right wing gun nuts out there?"
Gotta love Brian D. |
Nohero
Citizen
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 4326
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 11:19 pm: | |
"I'm kind of surprised that Miller's death hasn't elicited a bigger response on MOL."
Especially since he was a boring, stupid lib.  |
sbenois
Citizen
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 13182
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 11:24 pm: | |
No, because he was a great writer and Maplewood/MOL generally has enough cultured people to respect and reflect when people like him pass on.
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Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 2027
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 11:48 pm: | |
we talk alot about streaks in sports but in theatre, well, Arthur Miller wrote "All My Sons", "Death of a Salesman", "The Crucible" and "A View from The Bridge" I believe consecutively, over a seven year period. Ive been fortunate to see all four shows with some amazing actors, and its rare and great theatre (and writing) drama that leaves you shaking well after the show is over. |
KingofNJ
Citizen
Username: Kingofnj
Post Number: 10
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 11:53 pm: | |
I had the pleasure (10 years ago) of meeting Arthur Miller at his home in Ct. He seemed like a quiet man and at the same time had a slight air of arrogance -- not in a bad way but just in the sense that he knew he was brilliant. |
Dave
Moderator
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5272
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 11:59 pm: | |
Arthur Miller never made a lot of money. His name was not in the news much. He's not the finest character that ever lived. But he's a human being, and a terrible thing has happened to him. So attention must be paid. He's not to be allowed to fall in his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must finally be paid to such a person. |
Nohero
Citizen
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 4330
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 12:18 am: | |
Sorry for being facetious, Dave.
Arthur Miller was a great writer, for making people face things that they knew deep down inside, but didn't want to admit that they knew. "Death of a Salesman" showed that a life which could be labeled "ordinary", could also be tragic. "The Crucible" showed that art could step up and stare evil in the eye, and come away triumphant. For that, some might label him a "stupid lib".
I could go on and on, but I was struck by the statement that "a terrible thing has happened to him". He was 89 years old, and still in the middle of creating a new work. If any of us have the chance to have just a fraction of the influence he had, and then to continue being creative at the end of a long life, we would be very fortunate indeed.
Yes, I know you were quoting from the play. |
Dave
Moderator
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5273
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 12:21 am: | |
the actual lines…
quote:Willie Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He's not the finest character that ever lived. But he's a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. He's not to be allowed to fall in his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must finally be paid to such a person.
Death of a Salesman
Linda, referring to her husband Willie Loman, Act 1
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wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 562
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 8:34 am: | |
First time I ever read "Death of a Salesman" was to prepare for an audition monologue in college (Linda's final talk to him - after his death). I've read and seen it several times since including a televised version of the Brian Dennehy version - on PBS, I think. I don't think I ever saw a live production, regretfully. Hank's right - live good theatre stays with you much longer than any other medium. Thanks Arthur - the world is a much better place for what you gave us. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 3899
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 9:06 am: | |
Sbenois...I have some great Brian D. stories courtesy of his co-star in that Death of A Salesman production. (Have I not shown you my little film, The Reader, I have shoved it down so many throats I forget who has or hasn't seen it.) I don't print those stories here for fear of some sort of legal action.. Funny thing is, the other gal in The Reader was also on Bway with Brian D. and shared some VERY similar stories about him. I think it is why the two women work so well together in the film.
PL me and I will drop off a copy to your abode.
cheers.
One of my favorite quotes of his..(A. Miller's that is)
"The apple cannot be stuck back on the Tree of Knowledge; once we begin to see, we are doomed and challenged to seek the strength to see more, not less."
Stupid Lib 
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drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 828
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 9:23 am: | |
I loved the picture in the Times obit, taken last year, sitting and working with actors at age 88.
I'm saving that because it's a vow to myself to be in the same place- working in the theatre- until the last moment, and not out to pasture with the TV. |
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