All My Sons

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All My Sons

Wasatch Theatrical Ventures at the Raven Playhouse

Reviewed by Jeff Favre

June 09, 2010

Photo by Ed Krieger

Arthur Miller's well-known 1947 World War II–era family drama echoes the classic Greek tragedy model, and director Kiff Scholl, with his capable cast, delivers palpable pathos. Scholl also enhances the story's emotional power through contrast by mining comedic moments.

Those light moments come mostly in the first act, as Joe Keller (Mark Belnick) gets a visit from his friendly, goofy neighbors (an appropriately smarmy portrayal by Kevin Ashworth and a pleasantly nerdy performance by Matt Shea). They provide plenty of laughs before it's revealed that the townspeople doubt whether the exonerated Joe or his currently imprisoned partner were responsible for delivering a batch of cracked cylinder heads for war planes that caused the death of 21 pilots. But there's no stopping the past with the arrival of Ann (Lauren Dobbins Webb), the former fiancée of Joe's son Larry who has been missing in action for three years. Ann hopes to marry Larry's brother Chris (Nicholas S. Williams), which pushes Joe's wife, Kate (CaroleAnne Johnson), closer to a mental breakdown because she steadfastly refuses to believe Larry is dead. Ann's brother George (David Kirkpatrick) arrives with news that may change everyone's life.

Miller's central characters are experiencing internal conflicts, and that's easiest to see in Williams, who displays through his barely controlled anger Chris' doubts about his father's innocence and his guilt for surviving the war. Webb portrays Ann as a strong, independent woman who is near the breaking point. Though a bit understated, Belnick steps up his energy toward the climax, showing Joe as a man who will do anything to keep his family intact.

Davis Campbell's attractive house set somehow fits without seeming crowded, and Scholl impressively blocks the characters so there's always physical and emotional balance on the stage. And Scholl frequently varies the pace to match the emotional complexities in Miller's script.

Presented by Wasatch Theatrical Ventures at the Raven Playhouse, 5233 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Jun. 5-Jul. 25. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m. (323) 960-4420. www.plays411.com/sons.