Death of a Salesman - Nathan Lane - 2021

[DressedInYourPajamas]

Was just listening to Nathan Lane's episode of Marc Maron's podcast and right at the very end he mentions that he's going to be doing Willy Loman in 2021. Has this been officially announced yet? Or just speculation?

[haterobics]

DressedInYourPajamas said: "Has this been officially announced yet? Or just speculation?"

Those are our only two options?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Not officially announced, but Lane has been talking about this production since Angels in America... Joe Mantello directing, Scott Rudin producing, Lane and Laurie Metcalf co-starring as the Lomans.

https://www.vulture.com/2018/03/nathan-lane-on-playing-roy-cohn-in-angels-in-america.html?utm_campaign=vulture

[RippedMan]

I'd see it. 

[DoTheDood]

Isn't there already rumors of the Marianne Elliott's West End revival transferring? 

[Jordan Catalano]

Yeah, the “Salesman” on the West End right now is the best production of the show I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine a world where it doesn’t transfer to Broadway.

[Kimbo]

Jordan Catalano said: "Yeah, the “Salesman” on the West End right now is the best production of the show I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine a world where it does transfer to Broadway. "
 

I can. It’s a world where, since Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf all but announced they were doing this  together a long time ago, Scott Rudin has long since  already optioned the Broadway rights for the next few years, thereby precluding any other possible competing productions.

 

[Owen22]

Jordan Catalano said: "Yeah, the “Salesman” on the West End right now is the best production of the show I’ve ever seen."

Then you need to have seen many more productions...cause it is SO not great...

 

[52889j]

Jordan Catalano said: "Yeah, the “Salesman” on the West End right now is the best production of the show I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine a world where it does transfer to Broadway."

Also loved it and sincerely hope it does transfer.

Or....could It come to BAM or St Ann's so we can have the Lane/Metcalf version as well? I'd see both...

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Take. My. Money.

[quizking101]

At this rate, Metcalf is going to try to be Tony eligible every year until she dies and I am HERE for the Metcalf-issance

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

quizking101 said: "At this rate, Metcalf is going to try to be Tony eligible every year until she dies and I am HERE for the Metcalf-issance"

HAHA...funny yes,  but i agree 100%..."Metcalf-issance"...truly funny!!

[LightsOut90]

Im going to be so angry if this happens over the Wendell Pierce revival transferring...

[jimmycurry01]

LightsOut90 said: "Im going to be so angry if this happens over the Wendell Pierce revival transferring..."

Angry? Really? Really?

[haterobics]

LightsOut90 said: "Im going to be so angry if this happens over the Wendell Pierce revival transferring..."

If things that aren't yet announced come to fruition over other things that were never announced it is good to preannounce one's disappointment.

[Scott19]

haterobics said: "LightsOut90 said: "Im going to be so angry if this happens over the Wendell Pierce revival transferring..."

If things that aren't yet announced come to fruition over other things that were never announced it is good to preannounce one's disappointment."

I think this made my day. :) Thanks for the wisdom, Haterobics.

[Impossible2]

LightsOut90 said: "Im going to be so angry if this happens over the Wendell Pierce revival transferring..."

I wouldn't waste your anger. Great performances, but the direction and production was average at best.

[JBroadway]

Impossible2 said: "LightsOut90 said: "Im going to be so angry if this happens over the Wendell Pierce revival transferring..."

I wouldn't waste your anger. Great performances, but the direction and production was average at best."

 

Funny, I felt the exact reverse. I thought the staging and concept were impeccable, but the performances were a bit underdeveloped (but then again, I saw an early preview at the Young Vic)

[Impossible2]

JBroadway said: "Impossible2 said: "LightsOut90 said: "Im going to be so angry if this happens over the Wendell Pierce revival transferring..."

I wouldn't waste your anger. Great performances, but the direction and production was average at best."



Funny, I felt the exact reverse. I thought the staging and concept were impeccable, but the performances were a bit underdeveloped (but then again, I saw an early preview at the Young Vic)"

I saw it mid run. I didn't like the play (it's the only Miller play I've seen in the last few years I didn't love) or the direction at all. The flashback thing felt weird and didn't work for me and the final scene seemed badly mishandled to the point it crashed the whole play and lost it's meaning. The staging was ok...serviceable...the performances were the only thing that left any sort of impression on me.

[JSquared2]

LightsOut90 said: "Im going to be so angry if this happens over the Wendell Pierce revival transferring..."

 

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

It's all about the first-class rightsholder. There have been rumblings about this Lane production for about 5 years, and it was first mentioned in the press a full year before the Young Vic production. Two of Scott Rudin's previous Arthur Miller revivals won Tonys, he knew Miller, and likely has a good relationship with the estate.

Maybe the Young Vic production could play St. Ann's or BAM or someplace like that in 2022.

[persephone88]

If Wendel Pierce's does cross over, I hope it does not play BAM. We saw Long Day's Journey there in the mezz and the accoustics were terrible. If I ever go again, we will spring for orchestra seats. I really liked Wendel Pierce on The Wire, and would love to see his take on Willy Loman. And be equally happy if Nathan Lane does a production as well. Seeing it in a smaller theatre would be wonderful.

 

[qolbinau]

I’m not sure if the performances would be the ‘best ever’ but I must admit I found the staging and additions of music to the West End Salesman to take the play to another level. Having Sharon D Clarke singing at the end of the funeral like that was heartbreaking and shows how music can really add an extra dimension sometimes. I also thought having a black family in this play subtlety taps into racial elements. M Elliot seems to be pretty consistent and churning out good work recently.

On the other hand, Nathan Lane and Metcalf sound great too.

[viagalactica6]

Having Sharon D Clarke singing at the end of the funeral like that was heartbreaking and shows how music can really add an extra dimension sometimes.

I am not really sure about having Ms. Clarke singing at the funeral scene. I hate it so when white directors place Black folks singing in white play classics some mournful spiritual song. Like in the Scarlett Johannsen production of Cat On a Hot Tin Roof and the director had all the Black actors singing spirituals at one point. Believe me, as you saw for yourself, Ms. Clarke is a strong enough actress that she didn't need to be burdened with a song in order to provide some kind of dramatic impact.

[JBroadway]

viagalactica6 said: "Having Sharon D Clarke singing at the end of the funeral like that was heartbreaking and shows how music can really add an extra dimension sometimes.

I am not really sure about having Ms. Clarke singing at the funeral scene. I hate it so when white directors place Black folks singing in white play classics some mournful spiritual song.Like in the Scarlett Johannsen production of Cat On a Hot Tin Roof and the director had all the Black actors singing spirituals at one point. Believe me, as you saw for yourself, Ms. Clarke is a strong enough actress that she didn't need to be burdened with a song in order to provide some kind of dramatic impact."

 

Just a reminder that the production is a co-directed by Miranda Cromwell, a black woman - not assistant-directed, but co-directed. Every creative decision would either have been made by Cromwell, or thoroughly discussed with her. That doesn’t necessarily negate everything you’re saying, but I think it’s important to keep in mind when considering the racial optics of the production.