In 1947, Arthur Miller, a young playwright with only a single produced play to his credit, lit up Broadway with "All My Sons," a searing postwar drama about personal responsibility and human illusions. Two years later, Miller wrote "Death of a Salesman," and its astounding success sent his first hit into a prolonged period of theatrical neglect.
Now "All My Sons" is back on the boards as Taproot Theatre Company's first offering of its 2003 season. It's a perfect choice for this hard-working company, which makes the most of it — presenting a show that is deeply felt and, at times, surprisingly funny. That's right, Arthur Miller can be funny.
Major adjustments
Director Karen Lund has assembled a cast of capable actors. Working on a tidy backyard set by Richard Lorig, they skillfully evoke postwar America and the difficulties of adjusting to peacetime life.
The Kellers have what most of us say we want: a comfortable life, a loving family and a promising future. The father Joe Keller (Robert Gallaher) has made a small fortune during the war selling munitions to the American military. Now he is grooming his son Chris, a returning war vet, to take over his retooled manufacturing business. Joe and his family have recently endured a wartime scandal. Defective airplane parts made by his factory resulted in the deaths of a number of fighter pilots. Joe's partner was convicted and jailed for the crime.
Another shadow hovers over the Kellers. Larry, their second child, didn't come back from the war.
In less than 24 hours, both of these circumstances will be re-examined and the Kellers' world will explode.
Gallaher is a revelation. His Joe is a big bear of a man who enjoys his money and prominence in his community. The storm clouds around him can't darken his unshakeable confidence. Gallaher isn't showy; he simply knows this guy inside-out and his projection of an unexamined life hits home hard and true.
Kim Morris also turns in a brave performance as Joe's wife Kate, a woman so haunted by grief that she refuses to accept her lost son's death. This may be the best part Miller ever wrote for a woman and, despite some overplaying in the first act, Morris finds Kate's powerful core.
Finding time for love
Scott Plusquellec and Jesse Notehelfer have trickier roles. As Joe's surviving son, Chris, and his girlfriend, Ann, they represent the new generation who want to move on with their lives. Miller is never very strong with love scenes, but these two actors show us decent people harboring complex feelings of love and loyalty.
Don Brady, Nikki Visel-Whitfield, Angie Lai and Kevin Brady turn in strong work as the Kellers' neighbors and friends. And Scott Nath, playing George, the tortured son of Joe's wronged partner, provides in one masterful scene the essence of the play: How hard it is to live with the truth when your life is dependent on lies.
