Christopher Abbott and Ben Ahlers Balance Death of a Salesman With Knicks Fever

Christopher Abbott and Ben Ahlers have found a backstage ritual to help them handle the emotional demands of starring in the Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman: watching the New York Knicks. The two actors play brothers Biff and Happy Loman in Joe Mantello’s acclaimed production at the Winter Garden Theatre, where Nathan Lane stars as Willy Loman and Laurie Metcalf plays Linda Loman. The play, which runs for nearly three hours and asks a great deal of its cast, has become a major critical and commercial success, earning nine Tony nominations including Best Revival of a Play and Best Direction.

Abbott and Ahlers said their shared Knicks fandom became a practical way to build chemistry during rehearsals and to unwind during the long run. They would meet at Abbott’s apartment, eat Chinese food, watch games, and run lines, creating a shorthand that carried into the rehearsal room and onto the stage. Ahlers, who is making his Broadway debut in the production, said the routine helped them stay connected while navigating one of the most emotionally intense plays in the American canon. Abbott, who made his Broadway debut in 2011, said the job requires attention not only to performance but also to the memories and bonds formed offstage.

The current revival stays close to Arthur Miller’s original 1949 text while adding a few visual touches of magical realism, including a red 1964 Chevy that remains visible on stage and foreshadows Willy Loman’s fate. Set designer Chloe Lamford has also been recognized with a Tony nomination. The production has drawn praise for its combination of classic dramatic power and fresh staging, with critics and audiences responding strongly to the performances of the leading quartet.

For Abbott, Ahlers, Lane, and Metcalf, the show’s dark subject matter requires a deliberate effort to preserve humor and lightness backstage. Ahlers said the emotional weight of the play can easily linger after the curtain comes down, so the cast works to maintain balance through small rituals and shared moments of levity. He described the production’s opening family dynamic and the Knicks games during intermission as ways to keep spirits up during an otherwise draining experience.

The actors also see the strong audience response as evidence that theater still has a meaningful place in American culture. Abbott said it is encouraging that modern audiences continue to embrace a play that some might consider old-fashioned or melodramatic, while Ahlers noted that audiences often respond positively when they are treated with seriousness and respect. The final scenes of the performance reportedly leave the theater in near silence, broken only by sniffles from the crowd.

The timing has added another layer of excitement for the cast: the Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years. Abbott and Ahlers hope to attend Game 3 on Monday, their weekly night off, continuing the offstage tradition that has helped sustain them through one of Broadway’s most demanding revivals.