All his life, his plan was to be successful at his job, live the American dream and have his son’s follow in his foot steps. Even with his dedicated wife, Linda at his side, he is just too tired to go on.

Wafting back and forth like a delicate dance between the present and the past, his hopes for his eldest sons are profound, only to be disappointed by the men they eventually become. Seeing the ghost of his brother, Ben, reminds him that the choices he made earlier on in life, though honorable, may have been ill decisions, leading to a secret regret that becomes unbearable.

Real life couple Joseph Ziegler and Nancy Palk bring characters Willy and Linda Loman alive with charismatic interaction and honest onstage chemistry. There is a great love not only between the fictional characters, but between the real life husband and wife and this shines through out the play. It is however the realistic, gut wrenching performance by Ziegler, that powers the play to the end.

Miller’s portrayal of the harsh reality of the working class man in Death of a Salesman is played, close to the chest, crisply portraying the every man's struggle to reach the American dream, but never quite getting to the top of the mountain. A solid story retold many decades over, still holds true even in 2010 as it did when it premiered in 1949. Albert Schultz’s careful direction, pays respectful homage to Miller, keeping this masterpiece honest and pure.

An evening filled with wrenching emotion, breath taking set design and stellar performances has the audience literally moved to their feet. A well deserved standing ovation, not just for the playwright and the superb cast, but the wondrous insight and vision that Albert Schultz brings to reality.

Death of a Salesman is only at The Young Centre for the Performing Arts until November 13th and is a must see for both Miller fans and those who have yet to experience the story.