“Death of a Salesman” Comes to MCCC's Kelsey Theatre

Pierrot Productions brings the fiercely eloquent American classic, "Death of a Salesman," to the stage at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. Dates and times for this award-winning drama are Fridays, Feb. 24 and March 2 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Feb. 25 and March 3 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Feb. 26 and March 4 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on Mercer's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Feb. 24.

Written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Arthur Miller, the play is a tragedy of Shakespearian proportions. It follows the waning days in the life of Willy Loman, a simple man who has striven for the American Dream as a traveling salesman while fighting economic forces and his own personal demons. In addition to facing his own increasing obsolescence, Willy struggles with a strained marriage and his failed dreams for his two sons, Biff and Happy.

Premiering in New York in 1949, the original production ran for a total of 742 performances, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. The music that served to accentuate the plot development in the Broadway original will be utilized in the current production.

Notes Director Ruth Markoe, of Lawrenceville, "Although the play was written in the 1940's, many of its themes reflect the troubled times we live in today, and, as such, is particularly poignant."

The cast features Tim Anderson of Princeton as Willy Loman; Peggy Waldron of Hamilton as Linda Loman; Chris Scheid of Newtown, PA, as Biff Loman; and Tim Liu of Kendall Park as Happy Loman. Ensemble cast members include Derek Capre of East Windsor, Kevin Hallam of Hamilton, Lauren Makrancy of Florence, Jean Prall Rosolino of Princeton, Walter Rosenthal of Pennington, Wayne Rossignol of Hamilton, Paul Saunders of Lawrenceville, and Aziza Seven of Princeton.

In addition to Markoe, the production crew includes producer Pete LaBriola and stage manager Tara Simonelli. Lighting design is by Kelsey Theatre's own Kitty Getlik and costumes are by Ruth Rittmann.

Pierrot Productions was founded in 1989. Since its inception Markoe and LaBriola have shared directing duties on their productions.  Markoe directed last season's "Blithe Spirit" at Kelsey Theatre, as well as a double bill of "Pygmalion" and "My Fair Lady" in 2010, while LaBriola was the director for "The Producers" in 2009.

Tickets for “Death of a Salesman” are $16 for adults, $14 for senior citizens, and $12 for children and students.  Tickets may be purchased by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333 or online at www.kelseytheatre.net.  Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Free parking is available next to the theater. For a complete listing of adult and children's events for the remainder of the 2011-12 season, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.