<= Danielle Peleg Gallery presents Original Paintings, Drawings and Lithographs by 13 Year Old ALEXANDRA NECHITA wind up on Broadway. "It wasn't even a far-fetched thought," says Witt. Like the rest of the cast, he was cer- tain Salesman would enjoy a limited Midwest run. This was just one play in the Goodman Theater Production series. We never had any illusions or dreams of taking the play to Broadway. However, after the rave reviews hit the newsstands, prominent producers began showing up, and plans were made to move the show to New York. Before they knew it, most of the original cast members wereperforming Miller's great drama on the New York stage. "I feel a terrific responsibili- ty to do the best I can in this play," said Witt, who met Miller while in rehearsal both in Chicago and in New York. "We all feel obligated to our- selves as well as to Arthur Miller. This is not simply a play — it's great literature." Ironically, Death of a Salesman was the first play Witt ever saw. And, in the span of his theatrical career, he has por- trayed several of the roles — including Willie and Biff. Born and raised in Chicago, Witt had always wanted to be an actor. He attended the Goodman Theater SChool in Chicago and moved to New York after graduation. He hooked up with Joseph Papp, and wound up doing Shakespeare in the Park. After marrying and starting a family, Witt, who has three children but has since divorced, moved back to Chicago to direct community theater and become an actor-in-residence at the Goodman Theater School. Like many serious thespians, his work has taken him to many places, including Washington, D.C, where he and his family spent several years. He has performed in regional theaters across the United States, and returned to the New York stage, including Broadway, to play Shelley in David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross, a role he reprised in Edmonton, Canada. His other credits include Uncle Vanya, Twelfth Night, Love's Labour Lost, Waiting for Godot, Our Town and All My Sons, another Miller. play. All tolled, Witt has appeared in more than 300 plays, spanning every- thing from drama to comedy. "I can't even count how many I have done, he laughed He's been offered a bevy of televi- " "Mozart with a paintbrush" Charles Osgood "She's a child prodigy" Newsweek "... a budding Picasso" USA Today • Reception for the Artist Saturday, June 12 from 6 pm to 9 pm For Reservations, call 248.626-5810 Danielle Peleg Gallery 4301 Orchard Lake Rd. at Lone Pine • Crosswinds Mall • West Bloomfield 248.626.5810 Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30-6:00, Sun 12:00-5:00 unica Unique gifts, accessories and 340 East Maple Road furniture. Extensive selection of Birmingham, Michigan 48009 " books on design, architecture, p: 248.593.9085 art glass and studio pottery. f: 248.593.9087 We also offer bridal & gift registry. w: http://www.un icahome.com 6/4 1999 Dp_troif lEwish_Niewc . sion roles as well, and has guest-starred on more than 75 series. His list of TV credits includes Law and Order, Alice, Hill Street Blues, The Rockford Files and The Bob Newhart Show. Although he grew up in a Jewish home, and his grandparents were strictly kosher, Witt was not raised religious. "I have always identified myself as a Jew, but it wasn't until I visited the Soviet Union in 1973 that I felt much closer to Judaism," he said. "I made arrangements to visit dissi- dents, and I got to know one man in particular. He had been thrown in jail 0 Brian Dennehy (Willie Loman) and Howard Witt (Charlie), both nominated for their performances in "Death of a Salesman." several times and we talked about his relationship to God. That experience made me feel closer to my religion. "It's interesting. My kids didn't grow up with any religion — their mother is not Jewish — but one of my daughters wears a Star of David and my son considers himself a Jew. My kids and I have even talked about having our bar and bat mitzvahs together. For now, Witt is busy concentrat- ing on Death of a Salesman. "It's a very moving play to do each night," said Witt, who is so emotionally involved during every performance that he barely notices when the likes of Meryl Streep is sitting in the audience, as she was on a recent evening. As for walking off with the coveted statuette at the 53rd annual Tony Awards, Witt said, "It would be won- derful, but I can't let myself even think about it. "\X"e'll just have to w ait and see."Pl )1