THEATRE REVIEW: "Death of a Salesman" at the Winter Garden Theatre (New York, NY)

      On March 11th, 2026, I saw a matinee performance of the Arthur Miller play "Death of a Salesman" at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City.  This was not the first Broadway Revival of the play, nor will it be the last.  But it was my first time seeing the play.  I never read the written version for school before either.  So this was a new experience for me.  I do, however, know some obscure theatre trivia about the play.  For instance, the 1949 Premiere Broadway Production, 1949 Premiere Detroit Engagement, 1949 Premiere Chicago Engagement, and 1950 Premiere Los Angeles Engagement of "Death of a Salesman" all performed at theatres which have since been demolished.  Interesting, huh?

     "Death of a Salesman"  is about a man named Willy Loman, a traveling salesman who becomes disillusioned as he grows older.  He struggles with inner turmoil and painful reminders of past failures, while also falling short of the "American Dream."  Add to this his family struggles and powerful memories blending with reality,  All of these elements combine to form a play just short of three hours in duration, yet one that flows at a chaotic pace.  

     At the performance of "Death of a Salesman" that I saw, the cast included Nathan Lane (Willy Loman), Laurie Metcalf (Linda), Christopher Abbott (Biff), Ben Ahlers (Happy), Jonathan Cake (Uncle Ben), John Drea (Howard Wagner), K. Todd Freeman (Charley), Michael Benjamin Washington (Bernard), Joaquin Consuelos (Young Biff), Jake Termine (Young Happy), and Karl Green (Young Bernard).  While the entire cast did a great job, I think Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf stole the show.  Plus, I've been fortunate enough to have seen both of them in stage productions before.  I saw Nathan Lane in the Pre-Broadway World Premiere of "The Addams Family Musical" in January of 2010.  I saw Laurie Metcalf in the Broadway Production of "Grey House" in May of 2023.  Both "Grey House" and this revival of "Death of a Salesman" were directed by Joe Mantello.

     

     Chloe Lamford's scenic design didn't change much throughout the show.  The floor of the stage was covered in a thick layer of dust.  A car would roll up and down stage depending on what was happening in the show.  I think each character in the play was imprisoned by their various life roles, but no one more than Linda.  She couldn't even participate in a family conversation without being told not to interrupt by her husband, who she always defended to her exasperated sons.  I think the scenic design reflected how everyone was stuck in place, and unable to break free from what little choices in life they had.

     As I write this blog post, the production is still in previews, and wont officially open until April 9th, 2026.  The production is scheduled to run until August 9th, 2026.  I'm glad I finally gotten to see "Death of a Salesman."  I had no idea the play was almost three hours long, and might not have stayed to the end had my seat been overly uncomfortable.  I had won the ticket lottery for this show, and was pleasantly surprised to find that I was assigned to sit in one of the private loges, or theatre boxes.  There was ample leg room, and the option to stand up and stretch without disturbing anyone behind me.

     When I learned that "Death of a Salesman" was being presented at the Winter Garden Theatre, I was surprised.  The last show I saw at the Winter Garden Theatre was "Back to the Future."  It was also the only other show I've seen there.  I associate the Winter Garden Theatre with big-budget musicals, like "Cats," "Mamma Mia," and "West Side Story," all of which once called the Winter Garden home.  When I won the ticket lottery for "Death of a Salesman," I expected it to be presented at the Booth, Royale, or Golden Theatres.  Then again, when a Broadway Revival with a lot of star power is mounted, the Winter Garden is an appropriate venue.

Production Photo by Emilio Madrid. 

     Without a doubt, I would not see "Death of a Salesman" again.  The show was too long.  It is a great play, but I was getting restless even before intermission.  There were a few moments in Act Two when I thought the show could have ended, yet it continued to drag on.  Yet interspersed between the tedious moments of the play were those that made "Death of a Salesman" an emotional powerhouse that I'd recommend to anyone who's looking for a powerful play to see.  I'm glad I stayed until the end.  Yet, is it really the end?