After the Fall

De: Arthur Miller

Narrado por: Amy Brenneman, Anthony LaPaglia, Amy Pietz, full cast

Miller’s famous autobiographical drama takes place inside the tortured mind of a 40-year-old lawyer. Quentin is haunted by his disastrous affair with a needy sex symbol—a character rumored to be based on Marilyn Monroe, Miller’s second wife.

Recorded before a live audience at the Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles in April 1999.

Directed by Richard Masur

Producing Director: Susan Albert Loewenberg

An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast recording starring:

Amy Aquino as Felice/Elsie

Amy Brenneman as Maggie

Gregory Itzin as Mickey

Anthony LaPaglia as Quentin

Claudette Nevins as Mother

Natalija Nogulich as Holga

Amy Pietz as Louise

Al Ruscio as Father

Raphael Sbarge as Lou

Kenneth Alan Williams as Dan

Radio Producer: Raymond Guarna

Recording Engineer: Ed Cerrato

©1999 Arthur Miller; 1999 L.A. Theatre Works (P)1999 L.A. Theatre Works

Great writing and very realistic

A very realistic portrayal of complex human beings and relationship dynamics. Yes, it is a bit misogynistic but that is a sign of the times, not a reflection of Miller’s writing. At least the character that is rumored to be Miller himself (Quentin) is self aware and cognizant of his wrong doings and short comings. I think it is a raw, real and beautiful piece of work.

Stay with it

This play can be a bit confusing at first as it establishes characters and weaves backwards and forwards from the present to the past. It is rewarding if you can stay with it and not be put off early. A play you can listen to a few times without being bored. A great insight into the mind and life of the playwright during his time with Marilyn Monroe.

After the Fall

As Miller intended this when written, I opted to listen to an Audible presentation of the play starring a young Anthony LaPaglia as Quentin and Amy Brenneman as Maggie. Miller exercises his demons in AFTER THE FALL, covering many topics that he considered his fall from grace. This Audible version has a full cast and a live audience and the listener has a better understanding of Miller's torment (its not all about Marilyn): a child trying to live up to his mother's expectations, the Communist hearings when threatened with naming other party members, his perceived failures as a great author and playwright, and his failure as a loyal husband.

I don't think I would've enjoyed reading this. For others interested in this short play, I do recommend finding a live version. Miller was a genius and often rambles on about subjects the ordinary reader, most likely looking for more of Marilyn than they'll get, will not comprehend if you're unfamiliar with Miller's life. It's clear to all that Quentin IS Miller and Maggie is the doomed Marilyn, but Monroe fans needn't get excited about MIller dishing on the entirety of his marriage to MM. It's basically Miller touching on the low points of his success and failures and how he tries to reconcile and excuse himself from fault. Miller rarely spoke of Monroe in real life and it's hard to decipher whether either of these individuals actually loved one another or confused their lust for gain. Either way, AFTER THE FALL is a painful insight into what I can only imagine was the best of times and worst of times for both.

What a bunch of pretentious Crap

The actors were good. They did the best they could with a terrible piece of writing. Maybe it was supposed to be experimental? Abstract? It came across as a bunch of psychobabble.

Genius! A Textbook Lesson in BPD

This can be a tough listen--flashbacks, interior monologues, etc. Nevertheless, Miller extends the lines to all the dots--and creates a dramatic constellation of heartache and grief that flashes fame, fortune and drugs against a toxic political backdrop. Every character is damaged; imagine LONG DAY'S JOURNEY played against the Red Scare. The actress portraying Maggie is phenomenal--sensitive, vulnerable and world-weary--all in a 40 minute progression. In fact, all the actresses are top-drawer. OMG--Quentin's mother and first wife are beyond memorable. I listen to this play at least 2X a week. Miller's MISFITS should have had this power. AFTER THE FALL is a must-buy!

Absolutely gutted me.

This absolutely gutted me. Found my heart quite literally racing several times. Halfway through the audio production I bought a physical book of Arthur Miller's collected plays. I got some shit I need to highlight.

Not one of his best....

Too much thinking about the same ideas. Very repetitious. Sometimes people are such idealists and they think too much. Guilt seemed a big part of his life. Miller didn’t connect well with women and didn’t make a great husband. He lived in his head with his thoughts and was married to his writing.
As to Marilyn, she was damaged goods and had no self worth. Mental problems ran in her family and how Miller ever believed she would be a good wife showed that even a great thinker could be quite stupid about important matters in life. This play really annoyed me in many ways.