Posted on April 19, 2007
Although it has been a hard week for the JMU community, the show must go on for the cast of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons.” The emotionally charged play centers on the Keller family, a group of people dealing with lies, love and death.
Joe, the patriarch, has a dark secret that everyone uncovers by the end of the play. The rest of the action occurs in response to what Joe has done.
This play is flawless and the entire production is complete. Casting could not have been better; the set is beautiful and complex and the acting is perfection.
It is difficult to say which actor’s character steals the show because they all do. Each scene will astound the audience with another character’s magnificent performance. The emotion delivered by the actors show their talent and a deep understanding of the play.
“It’s going to be a different show every night,” senior Dan Crabtree said.
You can’t help but relate to [the Tech tragedy].”
The war theme of the play also brings a sense of importance to the subject matter. Senior Brynn Dorsey says that because her own family members fighting in Iraq, she knows that her family “goes through the same emotion[s]” as Kate, her character.
The production phenomenally represents the 40s through costumes, lighting, props and the set. The characters are clad in picture perfect 40s attire, with such attention given to detail that junior Emma Fyffe struggled with a hat that a character mentions is from the 30s, which is a different style than the ones in the 40s.
The actors thought is was a “really cool experience to do a period piece,” according to junior McLean Fletcher.
“I look like my grandmother [in the costumes],” she said.
Dan Crabtree had only one word to express his feelings on the costumes. “Suspenders.”
“All My Sons” features a fabulous set designed by Ben Nicholson featuring a two-story house from the 40s with amazing details again, right down to the wallpaper in the kitchen and the power lines that lead to a meter on the side of the house.
Light design by Shelly Thiss took much inspiration and colors from Norman Rockwell paintings, giving a subtle aura of nostalgia that keeps the scene believable.
The cast consists of many good friends, which made the rehearsals easy and fruitful.
“We had a great rehearsal environment, which can’t be said for every show,” Crabtree said.
Senior Brandon Ferraro said that in rehearsals “you can throw something new at [other actors],” because the cast is so close.
“All My Sons” shines as a beautifully acted production jam-packed with emotion and unbelievable talent—from production details to the results of Pamela Johnson’s directing. Everyone should see this production and witness this compilation of talent before so many in the cast graduate.
Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” runs through Saturday night. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are available for $6 with a JAC Card in the Harrison Box Office, located in Harrison Hall, room 1107, 12 to 4 p.m. through Friday.
