A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.  I was deeply saddened at the news that Arthur Miller died.  One of the last great American playwrights of the 20th century is gone.  I’ve seen so much theatre lately that is artsy for artisness’ sake, that doesn’t tell a story, that doesn’t get you to care about the characters.  When I get to see some great work by the old guard; Horton Foote, Tennessee Williams, Miller, I am reminded of what good drama is.  When I go see a play by one of these masters, even if the production has problems, I know I’ll be entertained, entranced, moved.  These are scripts so powerful they can be performed on a blank stage with no props or production values and you will still feel for the characters.  I think it’s difficult for modern playwrights to write works like that because we think it’s all been done before.  All the great relationship plays have been written.  But I hope they haven’t.  RIP, Arthur Miller, you bookish iconoclast, you old bastard.