‘ALL MY SONS’ at The Arctic Playhouse

by Henryce Zannini

The Arctic Playhouse opens its fall season with “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller, a drama based on a true story, set in 1947. The original play opened on Broadway at the Coronet Theatre in New York City in January 1947 and ran for 328 performances. The play examines the intricacies of a post-war American family and how far its patriarch, Joe Keller, will go to protect his family and his business, which he wants to hand down to his son, Chris. Joe’s wife Kate is determined that her oldest son Larry has survived the war and will return home to marry his neighborhood sweetheart, Ann. However, Chris and Ann are in love and plan to get married. Joe’s former business partner (who is Ann’s father) is in prison for shipping defective aircraft engine cylinders from his factory to the military during World War II, causing the deaths of 21 pilots.

Director Tony Annicone has cast this show with ten superb actors and has done an amazing job blocking a larger than life story on a very small stage. The entire play takes place in the backyard of the Keller home on the outskirts of an American town, and the Arctic boys have once again created a beautiful set. Costumer Nancy Spirito does an excellent job, as always, in capturing the appropriate apparel of the decade. Laurie Lavallee, Stage Manager, keeps the play running smoothly, from lights to music to scene changes.

Act One: It is August 1947, and Joe Keller and his wife Kate are visited by their neighbor, Frank, who is figuring out the horoscope of the Kellers’ missing son Larry. Larry went missing three years ago while serving in the military during World War II. A tree planted in his honor has just blown down; and although it is only an object, this tree plays a significant part throughout the play. Also popping in are Jim, a successful doctor and friend of the Kellers; Lydia, who is Frank’s wife; and Sue, Jim’s wife. As Chris tells his parents that he plans to propose to Ann, they are interrupted by Bert, the young boy next door. Ann arrives soon after, and it is then that we learn her father is in prison for causing the pilots’ deaths and that Joe was exonerated of the crime. During Act One, we also learn that Chris is suffering from survivor’s guilt due to a war incident. And so, we are introduced to 9 of the 10 characters in Act One!

Bert is played by 8-year old Caden Oates, who has no problem displaying his fine acting chops. I believe that this is just the beginning of a long theatre career for Caden! Russ Smith plays Jim and is totally believable as being frustrated with the stagnant domesticity of his life. He spends a little too much time in the Kellers’ backyard. Jeffrey Massery is Frank, and he does an excellent job of strengthening Kate’s faith by telling her that Larry must still be alive, because the day he died was meant to be his “favorable day” per his horoscope. Frank’s wife, Lydia, is played by Jennifer Mensel, who plays chipper to the hilt. She’s a dumb blonde to a “T”—even though she’s a brunette! Her exuberance is catchy and the perfect needed breath of fresh air, as this drama begins to get heavier. Denise Izzi, as Sue (Jim’s wife), has no problem strutting herself into the backyard and making her presence known. She skillfully plays this character as goading and even volatile, especially when she confronts Ann. We are introduced to George, played by Michael Pugliese, in Act Two. George is Ann’s brother. Upon his entrance, you can feel this drama intensify. He becomes enraged, powerfully unleashing his fury with his outstanding acting ability.

Throughout the entire play, the loss of Larry is the common denominator and catalyst among Joe, Kate, Chris, and Ann. Ron Martin is a looming presence as Joe Keller. He harbors a dark secret and therefore gives us a well played, extraordinarily profound performance. You can feel his angst and bitterness and vehemence, as he builds up to his major confrontations with his wife and his son. There aren’t enough adjectives to describe the feelings he makes you feel. Simply unbelievable. Christopher Ferreira, who plays his son Chris, executes every facet of his character with the utmost perfection. His performance is fierce and captivating. I do believe he displays every emotion known to man, and he is impeccable in doing so. Christopher’s performance is one of the most moving I have ever seen. I was glued to my chair. Bravo!

Rounding out this cast are Lynda DiStefano as Kate and Carolyn Coughlin as Ann, and both are forces to be reckoned with. Lynda’s performance of refusing to believe that her son is dead is heartbreaking. However, as her unreasonable belief that Larry will return some day continues, her character becomes pathetic. Lynda takes us on an emotional roller coaster ride, and she has us feeling all the ups and downs with her. She is a powerful performer. Carolyn shines as Ann in her romance with Chris, where she is sometimes giddy with love; and when she eventually and somewhat surprisingly sends her brother away. She is the fabric of truth; and as she shares those truths, she has you clinging to her every word.

“All My Sons” comes to a major and final climax in Act Three, and it is in this Act that we learn the meaning of the play’s title. This drama runs the entire gamut of emotions–light-heartedness, complacency, anger, pain, tragedy—and everything in between. It is a harrowing story of love, lies, and loss. This is a play not to be missed and well deserved of its standing ovation.

With only seven performances remaining (September 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 @ 7:30 pm; September 15, 22 @ 2:00 pm), reserve your tickets now at 401-573-3443 or at www.thearcticplayhouse.com.

And don’t forget—as always—free coffee, popcorn, and homemade cookies!

The Arctic Playhouse, 117 Washington Street, West Warwick, RI