Youth Of A Salesman

Willly Loman in Death Of A Salesman is one of the most notable modern roles an actor can attempt, so any new Broadway production is a big deal.  The part was played by Lee J. Cobb and has since been done by George C. Scott, Dustin Hoffman, Brian Dennehy and now, in a new Mike Nichol's-directed revival, Philip Seymour Hoffman.

A number of critics feel that Seymour Hoffman at 44 is too young to play Willy, who's in his 60s.  Of course, Lee J. Cobb was 37 when he originated the role. (Is it easier to be young and play old or the other way around?  Theatre tends to be more forgiving than movies in both directions). But what this reminded me of was Hoffman in Synecdoche, New York, where he's a masterful director (who goes from youth to old age) who gets noticed by putting on a production of Death Of A Salesman with actors in their 20s. It was a nice touch (by director-writer Charlie Kaufman) in that it showed us an innovative guy who had ideas that might work. It's so easy to show bad art in a film or play, but showing art that might be good, much trickier.

PS  Let's not forget Albert Brooks' version of DOTS starring kids.

PPS  More than half the reviews I read stated the play is more relevant than ever.  I've written about this line before, so just let me note it's time to retire this insulting cliche.

PPPS In one of the more positive reviews, John Lahr in The New Yorker states:

Willy is defined by the spirit of competition and by its corollary, invidious comparison. Envy is the gasoline on which American capitalism runs...

If he means the play says that, it's arguable.  If he's simply stating it as a fact, I'd say I don't think he gets capitalism, American or otherwise.