CEDAR FALLS - Even in a scene from Theatre UNI's "Death of a Salesman" staged for photography, Richard Glockner inhabits the skin of aging salesman Willy Loman.

When Mary Tharp Booty, as Willy's wife Linda, places a solicitous hand on his shoulder, Glockner begins a soliloquy about tiredness, failure and frustration. wrapped up in a tale about driving in a car he couldn't keep on the road. She tells him he needs to rest his mind, and he succeeds in looking even more defeated.

"Richard and Mary throw off sparks in their scenes together," enthuses Director Larry Paulson. "This is a classic in American theater, and it's a powerful show."

And it didn't take a salesman to sell Paulson, 1977 UNI graduate, or Tharp Booty, a 1975 graduate, on the idea of joining 14 other UNI graduates in the alumni production of Arthur Miller's award-winning play. The show, which opens April 11 and runs through April 20, celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Strayer-Wood Theatre.

A scholarship benefit performance takes place Saturday, and a resident cast will perform the show next Sunday.

The alumni guest artists are all working professionally in their fields throughout the United States. Paulson has directed shows around the country, including off-Broadway, and passed up two major shows to helm the UNI production.

"I wanted to do this for UNI. I'm excited to get the chance to direct at my alma mater and work with Richard and Mary," Paulson explains.

Tharp Booty, who lives in Dallas and creates her own theater projects, has lots of memories of the Cedar Valley. "At first I thought it might be selfish of me to want to do this," she says, laughing. "But I really wanted to. I've always wanted to play this role. My daughter lives here, so there were lots of enticements to come back."

Glockner, an associate professor of theater at UNI, is passionate about Loman and the play. Throughout the play, Loman alternates between bluster and a broken spirit, hovering on the line between harsh reality and his own deluded daydreams. Glockner describes it as the "tragedy of the common man. His experience … he's tormented by his hopes and dreams. He was sold a dream, the American dream, a false dream by society. He is an imperfect, flawed human being who is lost."

He is also is thrilled that so many UNI alums have made an "unequivocal commitment" to this show. His biggest concern, Glockner says, "is people will think the show is a downer. But if you look at Willy Loman's life, you'll see there is great hope here. He has two sons and one of his sons is going to follow his heart."

Joining Glockner as Loman's sons Biff and Happy are brothers Matt Mullin ('97) and Michael Mulling (2002). "It meant a great deal to me that I was asked to be in the show. I looked at the script and there are such great parts, plus there was the opportunity to work with my brother," Matt Mullin explains.

He is a working actor living in New York City, where his brother Mike also lives. Mike was excited that Richard wanted him in the show, too.

"I think it's an honor and it's been pretty challenging." says Mike.

Tyler Stilwill ('93,) plays Howard Wagner. Stilwill is a theater instructor at UNI and is director of the Black Hawk Children's Theatre. Also cast are Jay Edelnant, UNI Professor of Theatre, and theatre majors Darek Burkowski, Tim Cahill, Elizabeth Cameron, Amy Garretson, Charles Hays, Meredith Hogeland, Aaron Hoose, Tom Hoy, Lindsay Meisgeier, and Kt Marie Scarcello.

The production also features the work of several alumni guest artists including Steve Gilliam (class of 1970) as scenic designer; Richard Devin ('66) as lighting designer; Aaron DeYoung ('04) as sound designer; Eugenia Furneaux ('04), scenic artist; Katrina Sandvik ('94), assistant scenic artist; Ashley Feht ('05), hair designer; Cara Ullrich ('97), scenic carpenter; UNI instructor Linda Grimm ('98) and Julie McLaughlin ('97), costumers; and Brooke Harker ('00) and Sarah Rinner ('00), education coordinators.

Resident designers include professor of theater Carol Colburn, costumes; and Amy S. RohrBerg, associate professor of theater, designing makeup.

Written in 1949, "Death of a Salesman" won the Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award and New York Critics' Award for best play. It has been revived on Broadway three times. There have been eight film versions of Salesman since 1951 and Tim Burton's 2003 film, "Big Fish," was loosely based on Miller's play.