It’s hard to imagine that a play written just after World War II could offer an urgent message for today, but that is the case with Arthur Miller’s brilliantly crafted play, All My Sons, meticulously presented by Anteaus Theatre Company in Glendale. I cannot say enough about the genius of Arthur Miller’s carefully plotted exposé. But I do recommend that every budding playwright should examine this play for its skill, and it helps to have such as expert production as that at Anteaus.
What is the best way to describe Anteaus’ production of All My Sons? Miller’s second play presages his iconic Death of a Salesman (soon to have a local production itself) in that it examines the culpability of a man who makes a costly business decision that brings him down.
All My Sons takes place in the backyard of Joe Keller (Bo Foxworth), an aviation contractor and his wife, Kate (Tessa Auberjonois). It seems to be quite a neighborhood gathering place, with the likes of Dr. Jim Bayliss (Bryan Keith) and his wife, Sue (Cherish Monique Duke), or even little Bert (Arush Mehta) racing through. A downed tree, toppled by the wind, serves as a metaphor for what is about to unfold. For, as we soon learn, a hasty business decision under pressure, precipitates the actions that will bring down the Keller family.
Because her oldest son has been missing in action since the end of the war, Kate, too, is in a holding pattern, waiting for his return. She turns to fortune telling, provided by yet another neighbor, Lydia Lubey (Erin Pineda), supported by her husband, Frank (Johnny Patrick Yoder). Now she awaits the arrival of his girlfriend, Ann (Shannon Lee Clair) who has news. Unbeknownst to her, Ann and her youngest, Chris (Matthew Grondin), have developed a long-distance relationship that soon will expose the truths that have lain hidden from view.
In support of this excellent group of players, scenic designer Fred Kinney has designed a facade with telling cut outs to allow for inside action as well as the backyard, all lighted by designer Andrew Schmedake. Costumer Wendell C. Carmichael evokes a subtle period look, while the action is also subtly underscored by music designed by Jeff Gardner. Props from John McElveney and fight choreography from Shinshin Yuder Tsai contribute to the whole.
Under the direction of Oánh Nguyễn, this tight-knit cast skillfully unveils each revelation as we witness how business pressures determine actions having personal repercussions. In the hands of a less skilled theatre company, I doubt the message would resonate as it does at Anteaus. The message is as salient today as it was in 1947.
All My Sons continues Saturdays at 2pm and 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm, and Mondays at 8 pm, through March 30th, at Antaeus Theatre, 110 East Broadway, Glendale 91205. All Tickets: from $50.00 with discounts ranging from $5.00 off for seniors and $15.00 to 20.00 off for students . For reservations, phone (818) 506-1983 or online at www.antaeus.org.
