All My Sons

Reviewed by Julyza Commodore
Lounge Theatre
Through May 12th

[Note: This review is part of the Z. Clark Branson/Stage Raw Equity and Inclusion Initiative for Young Journalists. Stage Raw staff are mentoring the young authors, as they build their professional resumes as arts journalists.] 

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Arthur Miller was a socially-conscious playwright who used his plays to critique both capitalism and the American dream.

 All My Sons, which premiered in 1947 and won five Tony awards as well as Best New Play award by the New York Drama Critics Circle, was inspired by a news story — the conspiracy on the part of the Wright Aeronautical Corporation and corrupt army inspection officers to approve defective aircraft engines for the military. The scandal was brought to Miller’s attention by his then mother-in-law, who read about it in an Ohio newspaper.

The play is centered around the fictional Keller family and takes place in the aftermath of World War II at the end of the summer in 1946.

On the outside looking in, it is easy to assume that the lives of the family members are perfect and that they are living the American dream. This is not at all the case as they are all affected by the loss of son Larry, who is believed to have died during the war. While Joe (Mark Belnick), the patriarch, no longer believes that his son is alive, his wife Kate (Francesca Casale) still clings to hope. This causes a great amount of difficulty for their other son Chris (Jack Tynan), as he wishes to marry Ann (Alexis Boozer Sterling), Larry’s former fiancée.

Every character in the play is dealing with some form of denial, with secrets that eventually becomes exposed. How they deal with all of this is central to the drama.

The biggest secret is patriarch Joe’s, who has committed the crime of knowingly selling faulty equipment to the military. Many believe that he is responsible for the deaths of soldiers, including his own son Larry. He is also accused of framing his business partner, Steve Deever, who went to prison for the crime. This causes conflict that impacts everyone in the family. If he is guilty, his remaining son may lose respect for him and his wife may realize that her husband is not the man she thought he was, and she will have to accept that her son Larry is dead.

In his note, director Gary Lee Reed mentions, “It is my hope that in the telling of Arthur Miller’s brilliant play about lies we can more clearly understand the value of truth with each other and those we love.” It’s a message that resonates, as we are seeing art that reflects real life.

Each actor’s performance is fleshed out with clear intent. As Kate, Casale’s denial of her son’s death follows her throughout the entire show, with her emotions continuously running overboard. By contrast, the mission of Belnick’s Joe — of keeping everything intact, especially within his family — is very evident. Throughout, he exemplifies tenacity as this strong leader of the family — until he is confronted about the death of his son and his own connection to it.

Belnick’s ability to depict the pain of that confrontation really stood out for me.

As Chris, Tynan presents an extremely dedicated and determined son, with his needs and wants very apparent. Meanwhile, Sterling is relatable and honest as his brother’s grieving fiancée Ann, a woman who is so engulfed in love, that is all that she sees.

Lighting done by Derrick McDaniel is simple with a few fade-outs and fade- ins when necessary; for the most part it stays the same. The set, designed by Pete Hickok, is straightforward: the yard in front of the Keller’s family home, the backyard, and the front half of the home where we see characters enter and exit. It serves the story and the characters as all of the action happens right, front and center.

In a world in which lying to get ahead has become the norm, especially in our political climate, All My Sons remains strikingly relevant.

The Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; through May 12. (323) 960-5570 or online https://www.onstage411.com/sons. Running time: two hours and ten minutes with one intermission.