A vivid take on a classic play

Harold Goldstein

Making its theatrical debut at Pierce College, Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” shined on stage with brilliant dialogue, incredible acting and impressive stage design.

The story focuses on Joe Keller (played by Bill Ruehl), a 61-year-old man who ships airplane parts to airplane construction sites or repair shops. During World War II, he profiteered greatly from the war by shipping faulty airplane parts to be used on military fighter planes.

Now, the war is over and Keller and his family are living contently in their home with a lot of money to spare. However, without realizing the ramifications of his actions, Keller finds hidden truths that turn his world completely upside down and make him face one of his worst nightmares.

The history of past wars has become a rudimentary tool for creativity among writers, artists and filmmakers. For instance, video games like “Call of Duty” and “Brothers in Arms” were inspired greatly from the World Wars, not to mention films like “Saving Private Ryan” and “Flags of our Fathers.”

In essence of these past wars, creative people don’t just become influenced by the battles or politics involved, but by the emotional output of the general public when faced with hardships. “All My Sons” is no different from the many emotional war films out there today.

Though the play does not deal with World War II, it does focus on the people who were involved that handled the manufacturing and preservation of the weapons that the soldiers used and the vehicles they rode in.

To be clear, “All My Sons” was an emotional roller coaster from start to finish and showed this in very simplistic ways.

The stage design was remarkable, as it focused on the backyard of a small two-story house. There was so much detail in the stage that you would’ve thought you were in the backyard, standing on the grass and letting the sun hit your face come daybreak. The grass looked as though it had been there for days, the stub of a small tree looked as though it had been actually cut through, and the house looked real because you could see people through the window walking back and forth.

In unity with the stage design, the special effects were equally as impressive. Amid the various sound effects used in the play, cars were also featured to give the sense that someone was actually driving up to see the Keller family. Using both lighting to show spotlights facing the house and hearing the rumbling engine coming up the driveway created this simple effect.

Besides the great use of lighting and sound effects, the acting was simply amazing. The transitions from conversation to conversation were fluid and relentless. The

actors portrayed their characters so well that it was as if they had a second skin. This is understandable, since the characters themselves are simple, normal Americans who are trying to survive life in whatever way possible.

With great special effects and unpredictable emotion, “All My Sons” was a thrill ride that brought the viewer to the heart of the American dream, showing how far people will go to make it come true.

The play’s last showing was on Sunday.

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