Review: ‘All My Sons’ an emotion-packed night of theater
Arthur Miller is one of the finest chroniclers of post-World War II America. His 1949 play “Death of a Salesman” is rightfully held as the gold standard in U.S. theater, with its exploration of the American dream and all the pitfalls that come with trying to achieve it.
Two years earlier, Miller found his first success onstage with another exploration of the American dream, “All My Sons.” Inspired by real-life events, it centers on two families – friends, neighbors and colleagues – whose lives are undone by a selfish act. It’s a powerful piece of theater and the Modern Theater Coeur d’Alene has done it justice.
Kate and Joe Keller live next door to the Deevers. One of the Keller sons, Larry, is sweet on the Deever daughter, Ann. Keller owns, with Ann’s father Steve, a machine shop under contract to provide airplane parts to the U.S. Air Force during World War II. A batch of cylinders comes up faulty, but they get shipped out anyway, causing the deaths of 21 pilots. Joe and Steve are arrested, but Joe is ultimately exonerated. He says Steve made the decision on his own to try to repair the cylinders rather than delay shipment. Steve is convicted and sentenced to prison.
About this time, Larry, now a pilot, disappears. Kate refuses to believe he’s dead and holds fast to the belief that he’ll return soon, putting her life on hold accordingly.
The play picks up the story three years later, when the Kellers’ other son, Chris, announces he has invited Ann to return to their hometown for a visit. Ann, her brother George and their mother moved to New York after Steve’s conviction, chased out of town by the shame and by angry neighbors. Chris and Ann have been corresponding for two years and are in love. Ann’s return to the neighborhood brings to light many terrible secrets and opens old wounds not easily healed.
Jadd Davis most ably directs a talented cast of players. Kim Berg, frequently seen at Spokane Civic Theatre, makes his Modern Coeur d’Alene debut as Joe. His Joe comes off as a kindly grandpa, a true charmer who can talk you out of your anger with ease. As Kate, Tamara Schupman shows once again why she is such a well-regarded choice for area casting directors. She makes you feel Kate’s pain.
Billy Hultquist as Chris is earnest and true, and determined to make a life with Ann despite the obstacles. He’s haunted by his war experiences but puts on a good outward show. But when certain truths are revealed, he explodes in emotion. It’s a performance that left more than one person in the audience in tears on Friday, judging from the sniffling around me. Aubrey Shimek Davis continues a string of strong performances that includes Laura in “The Glass Menagerie” at the Modern Spokane and “First Date” for Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. Her Ann is deeply saddened by the trouble life has thrown at her – dad in jail, boyfriend MIA during the war – so she grabs for happiness when she finds it.
The supporting cast is top-notch, with local favorite Dave Rideout as the Kellers’ neighbor, Jim, and Daniel Bell as George. There’s not a weak link in the cast.
“All My Sons” is not an easy night of theater. There’s a lot of tension between these characters, and director Davis does an excellent job of guiding his actors in maintaining that tension to maximum effect. The first act builds, then things blast apart after intermission. When the final plot turn arrives, it is a foregone conclusion. But that doesn’t stop it from being a shock nonetheless.