Anthony LaPaglia returns to Australia in acclaimed production of Death of a Salesman with Melbourne and Brisbane seasons

Following triumphant seasons, five-star reviews and widespread acclaim in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth in 2023-2024, GWB Entertainment and Andrew Henry Presents are proud to announce Arthur Miller’s timeless Pulitzer Prize-winning classic play Death of a Salesman will return to Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne for a strictly limited two week season from 11 August, before making its Brisbane debut at QPAC on 28 August.

 

 

Emmy®, Golden Globe® and Tony Award® winner Anthony LaPaglia will reprise his role as Willy Loman, for which he received a plethora of rave reviews for the Melbourne, Sydney and Perth seasons. LaPaglia’s portrayal of Willy Loman offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this extraordinary actor at home in Australia in one of the most iconic plays of the 20th Century.

Anthony LaPaglia expressed his delight to be returning to the role of Willy Loman for an encore season at Her Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne where the production triumphed in 2023. He said:

Arthur Miller was the presiding genius of American theatre in the 20th Century and “Death of a Salesman” arguably his finest achievement . I was lucky enough to meet and work with Arthur when I played Eddie Carbone in “A View From the Bridge” on Broadway in 1997 and feel a deep affinity for his work.

The story of Willy Loman is simply one of the greatest roles ever written and remains timeless in its creation of the tragic unravelling of a man’s identity after years of neglecting his relationships and true self-fulfilment. You see the effect this has on his devoted wife and the shattered relationships with his sons. It also speaks profoundly to the American Dream and, in many ways, foreshadows the dissolution of that dream in the 21st Century. Even after 77-years this play, like all great classics, is as powerful and relevant as ever.

Death of a Salesman, a gripping and emotional exploration of the American Dream and its consequences, has resonated with audiences for generations. With its profound themes and timeless relevance, Miller’s masterpiece continues to thrill audiences with its deep insights into the human psyche and its brilliant portrayal of our vulnerability, hope and despair.

 

 

Directed by legendary stage and screen director Neil Armfield (Cloudstreet, The Diary of a Madman, The Secret River), this celebrated production offers theatregoers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the power of live theatre in a transformative experience.

Shared Armfield:

When we developed this production of Arthur Miller’s great drama of the failure of the American Dream, Biden was in the White House. With the extraordinary Anthony LaPaglia at its heart, the success of our show gathered and extended. As the presidency changed, we were shocked at Miller’s prescience. And now, as the Trump administration seems on the verge of chaotic collapse, this great play is all the more alive and urgent. I’m thrilled to be joining this brilliant cast once again as we bring this dazzling work of human imagination to life.

LaPaglia and Armfield will be joined by a stellar Australian cast, including Logie and Helpmann Award winner Alison Whyte reprising the role of Linda Loman, the complex and devoted wife of the failing salesman and Josh Helman (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) in his Green Room Award nominated performance as Willy’s tortured son Biff Loman, the golden boy who has descended into self-doubt and despair, with Ben O’Toole also reprising his role as Biff’s feckless brother Happy.

★★★★★ “So gripping that the audience doesn’t make a sound, outstanding.” Limelight

★★★★★ “Finally, local audiences have their chance to see why one of our greatest acting exports has been gathering accolades on the New York stage’” Time Out Sydney

★★★★1/2 “The 20th century’s ‘best play’ is tragically relevant. Anthony LaPaglia’s salesman will convince you of that.” The Age

“The most amazing theatrical experience of my life” Radio 3AW

Producers Torben Brookman and Andrew Henry shared in the excitement of reviving the production after it was seen by over 90,000 people across Australia:

This production of Death of a Salesman reaffirmed just how thrilling great theatre can be when it’s done at the highest level. Under Neil Armfield’s direction and led by towering performances from Anthony LaPaglia and Alison Whyte, audiences didn’t just respond, they were deeply moved. Bringing it back to Melbourne, and introducing it to Brisbane for the first time, feels less like a revival and more like continuing something truly special.

 

 

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Season Details

Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre| Melbourne
Date: 11 – 22 Aug 2026

Venue: QPAC Lyric Theatre|Brisbane
Date: 28 Aug – 06 Sept 2026

For more information click HERE