Chicago's Goodman Theatre's lauded production of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, starring Brian Dennehy and Elizabeth Franz, will transfer to Broadway's O'Neill Theatre, according to a source close to the production. Jujamcyn Theatres will produce the move.
Dates of the run could not be learned, but reports have Salesman setting up shop in early 1999. Playbill On-Line was unable to get a comment from Jujamcyn by press time.
Goodman press rep Cindy Bandle told Playbill On-Line (Oct. 30) that many New York producers had been to visit the show, which began performances Sept. 19 and opened Sept. 28. She stressed, however, on Nov. 3, that no commitments had been made.
Reviews, including notices in USA Today and The New York Times, have had high praise for the show, which represents the latest collaboration between Dennehy and Goodman artistic director Robert Falls. Miller himself saw the show and was highly complimentary, according to Bandle. The production must close in Chicago Nov. 7.
Dennehy and Falls have previously teamed up for acclaimed productions of Brecht's Galileo and O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh. The actor is best known for his movies, among which are Cocoon, First Blood, Presumed Innocent, Gorky Park and F/X. Franz created the title role in Christopher Durang's Sister Mary Ignatius..., for which she won an Obie Award. She was recently seen Off-Broadway in Minutes from the Blue Route at the Atlantic Theatre Company and The Cripple of Inishmaan at the Public Theatre. Broadway credits include Brighton Beach Memoirs, Broadway Bound, and The Cherry Orchard.
The cast of Salesman also includes Kevin Anderson (Orpheus Descending, Sunset Boulevard) as Biff, and Ted Koch as Happy. In 1997, Koch appeared in the Goodman's production of As You Like It. He recently received a Jeff Citation for his work in CT20 Ensemble's staging of Orphans.
Rounding out the cast are Steve Pickering (Howard), Howard Witt (Charley), David Frutkoff (Bernard), and Allen Hamilton (Uncle Ben).
For information on the Goodman season call (312) 443-3800.
