Japanese Bunraku intermingled with contemporary theatrical storytelling
Theater Mitu will present Arthur Miller’s classic American drama “Death of a Salesman” at Brigham Young University during three shows Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, in the Pardoe Theatre.
Shows on Friday and Saturday night will begin at 7:30 p.m., and there will also be a matinee on Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at byuarts.com or at the Fine Arts Ticket Office. Tickets range in price from $6 to $11. This event is also part of the artsPASS season ticket package.
Theater Mitu will be utilizing ancient Japanese Bunraku puppetry techniques intermingled with contemporary theatrical storytelling methods in ways never before seen.
“We have taken Arthur Miller’s initial title for the piece, ‘The Inside of His Head,’ quite literally and created a stage filled with memories, regrets and echoes,” said director Ruben Polendo.
Theater Mitu, based in New York City, has worked for the last decade to bring a new style and sense to the theater. Members of the company study ancient myths, dances, poems and ceremonies and bring some of those elements into the productions.
“We diligently ask ourselves the question, ‘Has this company become what it set out to be?’” Polendo said. “The question touches on notions of age, potential, self-belief, how the world perceives us and how we perceive it. It builds on ideas of humility, failure, reality and above all, hope. This question sits at the heart of Arthur Miller’s tragedy, as well.”
“Miller presents us with the character of Biff as the locus for this question. He is in a complete and utter state of exploration, having once sat as the chosen son, surrounded by dreams — which he certainly helped create. He was once the epitome of potential,” said Polendo.
“Now he sits plagued by the realities of the world: age, financial crisis, heartbreak and fear. Miller travels with him through the question, ‘Did he become what he set out to be?’ And, furthermore, ‘Does he have the courage to find the answer and reclaim his potential?’” he said.
For more information about the performance, contact Ken Crossley at (801) 422-9348 or visit www.theatermitu.org.
Writer: Brandon Garrett
