PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

#1

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 12:14pm

it's breaking news on playbill.com...

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/144126-Philip-Seymour-Hoffman-Will-Return-to-Broadway-in-Death-of-a-Salesman

EXCITED!!!!!

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...everyone was doing the mambo and drinking golden cadillacs...

Updated On: 10/20/10 at 12:14 PM

#2

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 12:42pm

Spooky Synecdoche New York parallels!

#3

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 12:50pm

The casting of Emond is thrilling. Hoffman, I'm not too sure...

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"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

#4

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 12:54pm

Yuck, so this is official, is it?

Well, on the bright side, that's about $150 I'll be saving.

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"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/

#5

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 12:56pm

I've like Hoffman's work in the past, but somehow feel that he lacks the gravitas to pull off Willy Loman. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised, but I'm not taking any bets on it. And I do like Hoffman -- just not in this particular play.

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BroadwayEd

#6

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 12:58pm

Damn. I'll be up at Emerson by then. Oh well. Christmas break. :)

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I know you. I know you. I know you.

#7

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 1:06pm

excited to see this play on Broadway (since I didn't see any previous production) but I'm not so sure about Phillip Seymour Hoffman. I was doubtful (no pun intended) when I heard he was cast as the priest in, well, Doubt, but it proved me wrong! Hopefully he surprises me again.

#8

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 1:32pm

I don't think Hoffman is the first person anyone would think of to play Willy Loman. But he's also not a stupid guy and he's an incredibly talented stage actor, so I think it's safe to say he knows what he's doing and has something in mind that will work. Before we all attack the casting, I think we should give him a chance to show us his take on the play.

#9

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 2:38pm

I guess nobody talented was available.

#10

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 3:52pm

Way too young for Willy Loman. Should have gone to Al Pacino.

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If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#11

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 4:13pm

I feel like Death of a Salesman is the straight play equivalent of Gypsy on Broadway. The last revival was only 10 years ago. Do we really need ANOTHER one? Especially when the last one was so critically acclaimed.

#12

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 8:22pm

Hoffman is, in my opinion, basically incapable of giving a bad performance, and I'm sure he will be a great Willy Loman. But yes, he is way too young for it, so why the rush? He would be even better in the part in ten or fifteen years when he would have even more life (and parenting) experience--plus we wouldn't have to look at him in silly old age makeup.

Anyway, to compensate, they've also cast an equally youngish Linda Emond as his wife. So does this mean they will be auditioning high school students for Biff and Happy?

Updated On: 10/20/10 at 08:22 PM

#13

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 8:46pm

See COLD MOUNTAIN and you'll change your mind about Hoffman being incapable of giving a bad performance.

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"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/

#14

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 9:28pm

I don't really want to see Hoffman in this but I thought that Christopher Lloyd (Taxi, Back to the Future, etc. etc.) was doing this show somewhere up in Connecticut or Boston right now? Would have LOVED to have seen his performance.

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"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium!"

#15

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 9:33pm

After seeing Brian Dennehy in the role I have seen the ultimate Willy. No reason to plunk down $ 150 no matter how good he will be.

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Poster Emeritus

#16

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 9:39pm

devonian.t, first thing I thought about... o.o

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Recent Broadway and Off-Broadway:: Carrie, Merrily, Ionescopade
Next On The List :: Clybourne Park, Once, Streetcar, BOM

#17

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 11:24pm

I actually really surprised with the Hoffman hate. I think that he's one of the finest actors of our generation and personally can't wait to see him in this.

#18

PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Posted: 10/20/10 at 11:39pm

I don't think he's flawless, but I'm certainly excited to see his take on the role. I think it is important to note that the original Willie was only 38 when he performed the role. And no one seemed to mind there.

In terms of it being revived too often...I think that as our culture becomes more and more obsessed with getting ahead, what the play has to say is extremely important. I say bring it.

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Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.