Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Ordinary people, Ordinary troubles, Compelling drama

"Willy was a salesman. And for a salesman, there is no rock bottom to the life. He don't put a bolt to a nut, he don't tell you the law or give you medicine. He's the man way out there in the blue riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back - that's an earthquake. And then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you're finished. . . A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory."

When: Monday July 11, 2005 at 7:00 and Tuesday July 26, 2005 at 7:00
Where: FIRESIDE ROOM (rm 4-5 on 7/26)
What: DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller
Who: UUCPA Thespians
Why: To commemorate the passing of one of America's greatest playwrights.

This month the Thespians offer a change of pace from their usual light fare. "Salesman" is not a bundle of laughs; it is drama, real drama, at its best. Willy Loman is not a comic person; he is not an important person; he is not an historical person; he is not an admirable person. Willy's family. friends, associates, and acquaintances are not comic, important, historical, or admirable people. No, Willy Loman and all the other characters are real people.

We don't often read real drama. Last year we read Miller's adaptation of Ibsen's "Enemy of the People". Year before it was Herman Wouk's "The Caine Mutiny". Bertold Brecht's "A Man's a Man" in '01, and Ferenc Molnar's "Lilliom" in '00 - - that's about it for the current millenium. And, you know what? For every one of those, it worked!

We start with a great play. Even now, thumbing through the text looking for my opening quote, I was caught up in the lives of Willy, his wife Linda, and his sons Biff and Happy. And when we gather together to read, you will be Willy, and she will be Linda, and he will be Uncle Ben, and they will be Biff and Happy, and I will be . . . We will get caught up in our parts; we will interact with each other; we will be moved by the experience.

I know I'm looking forward to reading it on BOTH July 11 and July 26. Won't you join me for at least one of these evenings? You're welcome to just drop in at the last minute, but if you'll email or call me ahead, you'll be guaranteed a better part.

Send an email to thespians-info@uucpa.org
or call me if you'd like more information.

UUCPA Thespians

Philip Hodge, Chair