Like many an American, I read the Arthur Miller play "Death of A Salesman" in junior high or high school. I thought it was depressing and heavy, but memorable. (My older daughter read Miller's "The Crucible" instead as a student.) I liked that it took place in Brooklyn, my hometown.

But seeing it live on stage was an amazing experience. It's on now at the Hudson Theatre in Manhattan's Theater District, and it is groundbreaking primarily because the leads and some of the minor characters are played by African American actors. There are also some interesting staging touches, such as a guitarist who leads the cast in a song before the play officially begins. 

I couldn't believe how powerful this play could be, and the cast, especially protagonist Willy Loman (Wendell Pierce), his long-suffering wife Linda (Sharon D. Clarke), and his idolized older brother Ben (Andre De Shields) were wonderful. Even the smaller roles were very well done. I sat in the balcony, and there were people near me who, at times gasped, cheered, and even cried during the performance. 

To summarize this iconic play, Willy Loman is in his early 60s. Forever ambitious, full of bluster (and BS, in many ways) but also fragile and beset with self-doubt, he has been a salesman most of his life but is being phased out and thus contemplating suicide. His sons come to stay with him and Linda for a few days, and they hope to relaunch their careers and lives in various ways.

But this is a tragic play, and we watch Willy's mental and physical disintegration, and his sons' weaknesses hashed out, and it's not a happy play. There are jokes (often bitter humor), but this play is realistic, humbling, and very thought-provoking. 

Among the themes delved into here, and done especially well in this staging, are how Americans deal with the "American dream," family dysfunction, ambition and how much of life is lies and puffery. This resounds in today's society when we see politicians and business magnates who BS their way through situations, bragging so greatly that it is ultimately quite painful. 

Willy Loman is not a malevolent soul, but he will never live up to his ideals, so he just fakes his way through so much. Does this sound like many people you've encountered? 

I remember learning that his name is significant: "Loman" is like the low man on the figurative totem pole. But it dawned on me that there is also an homage to Brooklyn and the legendary clothing store chain Loehmann's which was founded in Brooklyn. 

This performance was also special due to an unscripted surprise after the cast took their bows: they celebrated lead actor Pierce's birthday! A cake was brought out, and we all sang a rousing "Happy Birthday" to him. This was such an unusual moment in theater for me and probably for most of the audience (as well as the cast), which made the theater even more special and alive.