“All My Sons” at Antaeus TheatreA slowly building but very explosive presentation of Arthur Miller’s post-World War II play, this production explores the repercussions and adjustments forced on survivors of the war and their families, with unique twists for this particular group of family and friends.
By Carol Germain
The set is cleverly designed to accommodate the various scenes, and the dramatic lighting and sound effects are especially effective as the play picks up speed and emotions intensify.
It begins slowly and casually, with Joe Keller (Bo Foxworth), who runs a successful manufacturing business, reading the newspaper in his backyard while family and neighbors drop by for initially casual conversations. Joe discusses the previous night’s storm and the devastation of a particularly meaningful tree with neighbors and a friend who supports his wife Kate’s (Tessa Auberjonois) belief that Larry is alive, based on various psychic signs.
Joe and Kate have two sons: Chris (Matthew Grondin), active in the family business, and Larry, who has not returned from the crash of his plane in the war. Kate, however, remains convinced that Larry is alive and will find his way home. The storm-shattered tree had been their symbol of hope for Larry’s survival, and its demise sets the tone for the story on multiple levels. Although Larry has been missing for three years and most believe he is deceased, the family allows Kate her rigid faith that he will return. The fallen tree foreshadows the eventual explosion of secrets and lies that will unravel the carefully contrived reality most have accepted.
Unbeknownst to Joe and Kate, their surviving son, Chris, has developed a relationship with Ann Deever (Shannon Lee Clair), Larry’s former girlfriend, and plans to propose to her. Chris is especially eager for everyone to face the likely reality of Larry’s death. The situation is further complicated by Ann’s father, Steve Deever, Joe’s former business partner, who is in prison because Steve’s company sought to save money by shipping defective cylinders that were installed in military planes, resulting in the deaths of 120 American airmen. Both Joe and Steve were prosecuted, but Joe was exonerated. From there, the truth explodes, and the title becomes painfully clear.
Without spoiling the dramatic repercussions, I’ll quote the director, Oanh Nguyen, and encourage reflection before and after seeing this dynamic production on the profound questions he raises:.:
“What do we owe one another? Where is the line between protecting our own and harming someone else? How do we justify the choices we make? When does support turn into enabling? And when do we look away because the truth is too hard to face?”
Highly recommended.
“All My Sons” at Antaeus TheatreAll My Sons
Written by: Arthur Miller
Directed by: Oánh Nguyễn
Fri., Sat., Sun., Mon. through March 30
Antaeus Theatre Company
Kiki and David Grindler Performing Arts Center
110 East Broadway
Glendale, CA 91205
Tickets: Antaeus.org