A San Francisco revival of the classic drama “Death of a Salesman” has been canceled after a cast member, Richard D. May, 64, was struck and killed by a car while walking to a rehearsal for the show, reports and theater company officials said.
The African-American Shakespeare Company, which performs adaptations of classic stage plays with BIPOC casts, was set to open a production of Arthur Miller’s tragic drama last weekend. But a real-life tragedy intervened.
Cast member Ray, 65, reportedly was walking to a rehearsal on the morning of Oct. 28 when he was struck and killed by a car at Post and Hyde streets in San Francisco’s lower Nob Hill district, officials at AASC said. According to AASC and S.F. Police Department reports, a white BMW ran a red light and struck another car, which hit and killed Ray. The BMW driver was arrested and an investigation is continuing, reports said. No other details of the accident were available.
May was reportedly walking to Taube Atrium Theater, located at the War Memorial Building on 401 Van Ness, for the final rehearsal of the production. May, a former homeless man, had finally realized his dream of working as an actor and had been cast as Uncle Ben, a relative of the play’s central protagonist Willy Loman. AASC officials said the part represented his first paying role as an actor.
The production had already been delayed by Covid-related developments, AASC members said. And while the company considered continuing with the production as a tribute to May, it was finally decided that closing the production was the best alternative.
“We’re all heartbroken,” said company executive director Sherri Young,” and the shock of Richard’s passing and how it occurred continues to hover over all of us. Of course we wanted audiences to see the show after all the work put into the planning and rehearsals, but this is where we are.”
The production had originally been scheduled to run through Nov. 12. Those who had purchased tickets will be refunded automatically by City Box Office, AASC officials said.
There was no word yet on any memorial arrangements for May.