Dish-Houston

DISH received the sad word over the weekend that due to a health problem, Alley veteran James Black is unable to perform the role of Willy Loman in the Alley Theatre’s current production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman.  Everyone is confident that he will make a full recovery and will be able to return to the Alley stages in future productions.

“I must put my health above all, follow the medical guidance of my doctor, and step away from this role and this great production,” says James Black.  “I leave with a heavy heart and apologize for disappointing loyal Alley subscribers and current ticket holders.”

Managing Director Dean R. Gladden continues:

“We request that you respect the privacy of James Black and feel confident that he will return to full strength soon and be able to direct this year’s production of A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas. We have cancelled performances through Friday, October 5 and are doing our best to contact all ticket holders to reschedule for performances later in the run.”

Artistic Director Gregory Boyd is pleased to announce that Glenn Fleshler will play the role of Willy Loman. He was the understudy for Willy Loman in the recent Broadway production. His Broadway credits also include Captain Brice, RN in Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia and Antonio’s man/ensemble in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. A definitive first preview and opening will be announced at a later time.

ABOUT DEATH OF A SALESMAN
The return to the Alley of Arthur Miller’s Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece Death of a Salesmanis particularly relevant today. The play juxtaposes the American Dream with the realities of a fluctuating economy, unequal opportunities, and unfair advantages, with vivid characters and consummate theatricality. As salesman Willy Loman approaches the end of his working life, he must reconcile his unrealized dreams while struggling against the current world. Recommended for general audiences; mature themes.

ABOUT GLENN FLESHLER
Glenn Fleshler is making his Alley Theatre debut. On Broadway, he appeared in Death of A Salesman, Arcadia, The Merchant of Venicewith Al Pacino, A Behanding in Spokane, Guys and Dolls, and Spring Awakening. He appeared with Meryl Streep in Mother Couragein Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre, Maggie Smith in The Lady From Dubuque in the West End, and the Drama Desk-winning cast of Stuff Happens at The Public Theatre along with many other productions Off-Broadway and around the country. He has had many recurring roles on TV including George Remus on Boardwalk Empire, Pavel Mirminsky on Delocatedand Det. Milton Trammel on Damages. He has also made appearances on Law & Orders, Fringe, The Good Wife, Bored to Death, Sex and the City and Third Watch. Films include: Margaret, All Good Things, A Price Above Rubies and the upcoming releases of Gods Behaving Badly, Nightingalewith Marion Cotillard and Joaquin Phoenix, Starbuck with Vince Vaughn and the latest Woody Allen project.