Conversation so far:
When did Arthur Miller's career begin?
That same year his first play was produced; The Man Who Had All the Luck won the Theatre Guild's National Award.
Did the play do well for him?
The play closed after four performances with disastrous reviews.
Did he have any hit plays?
In 1947, Miller's play All My Sons, the writing of which had commenced in 1941, was a success on Broadway.
Did he win any awards?
(earning him his first Tony Award, for Best Author.
Did he write the plays?
CANNOTANSWER.
what did critics think of his work?
"a very depressing play in a time of great optimism" and that positive reviews from Brooks Atkinson of The New York Times had saved it from failure.

Question: what play is this remark referring to?
Self-contained rewrite: what play is the remark, "a very depressing play in a time of great optimism," referring to?