Joe Mantello on Radical 'Death of a Salesman' Revival and Working with Scott Rudin
In a boldly abstract revival of Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman,' Joe Mantello takes the helm, featuring Nathan Lane as Willy Loman and Laurie Metcalf as Linda Loman. The setting, a smoke-filled garage housing a 1964 Chevy Chevelle, symbolizes Willy's fragmented psyche. Mantello highlights the car's importance while removing any sense of nostalgia from the production. Lane's portrayal is described as reminiscent of a 'song-and-dance man, after the music stops,' whereas Metcalf's Linda displays a sharper edge, notably refraining from tears during the requiem. Mantello, who has long aspired to direct Lane, previously worked with both Lane and Metcalf on 'November.' He also addressed working with Scott Rudin, emphasizing his belief in second chances, despite the surrounding controversy. Steppenwolf has refuted allegations regarding Rudin.
Key facts
- Joe Mantello directed a new Broadway revival of 'Death of a Salesman' starring Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf.
- The production is set entirely in a garage with a 1964 Chevy Chevelle, representing Willy Loman's fractured mind.
- Mantello and designer Chloe Lamford used Miller's concept of 'concurrences' to avoid nostalgia.
- Lane's Willy is described as a desperate vaudevillian; Metcalf's Linda is steelier and does not cry at the requiem.
- Mantello first mentioned directing Lane as Willy over 30 years ago on 'Love! Valour! Compassion!'.
- The production also features Christopher Abbott and Ben Ahlers as the Loman sons.
- Mantello defends working with producer Scott Rudin, citing accountability and second chances.
- Mantello disputes a New Yorker article's anonymous source about Steppenwolf's ethical stance on Rudin.
- Metcalf confirmed Mantello's account of Steppenwolf's private position; Steppenwolf denied it.
- Mantello's production of 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf' with Metcalf and Rupert Everett closed during previews due to COVID-19.
Entities
Artists
- Joe Mantello
- Nathan Lane
- Laurie Metcalf
- Arthur Miller
- Chloe Lamford
- Christopher Abbott
- Ben Ahlers
- Brian Dennehy
- George C. Scott
- Lee J. Cobb
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Wendell Pierce
- Dustin Hoffman
- Rupert Everett
- David Mamet
- Glenn Davis
- Michael Schulman
- David Rosenberg
- Terrence McNally
Institutions
- Broadway
- Steppenwolf Theatre Company
- The New Yorker
- Variety
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Chicago
- Broadway