Review: ALL MY SONS at Twin Lakes Playhouse

For one more weekend (Sept. 20-22), the Twin Lakes Playhouse, 600 W 6th St., in Mountain Home presents Arthur Miller’s ALL MY SONS, and let me tell you.....this is a good one. I’d go see it again if I could. With direction by Mike Horberg, this group of thespians embrace this classic as if they lived it. Get your tickets at twinlakesplayhouse.org before they sell out.  

Based off a true story, Joe Keller (Mike Horberg) is a successful businessman who owns a factory that produced aircraft parts during the war. However, it’s revealed that his factory knowingly shipped faulty airplane cylinder heads, which caused the deaths of 21 pilots. His business partner, Steve Deever, took the fall for the crime and went to prison, while Joe was exonerated.  

The story is driven by the tension that arises when Joe's son, Chris (Logan Bresette), who survived the war, falls in love with Ann Deever (Hannah Ehlinger), the daughter of Steve, and wants to marry her. Kate Keller (Kelsey Ledford), however, clings to the belief that Larry is still alive and opposes Chris's marriage to Ann because she believes it would be an admission that Larry is dead. The moral question surrounding Joe's actions comes to a head when Ann’s brother, George, returns, having visited their imprisoned father and learned the truth about Joe's complicity. 

The emotional depth displayed by the actors is truly remarkable. They skillfully bring to life the raw and complex emotions of the Keller family, making the audience feel every moment of grief, guilt, and moral conflict. Each actor’s ability to convey the weight of the play’s themes—family loyalty, moral responsibility, and self-deception—creates a visceral connection with the audience, drawing us into the painful reality of their world. It’s clear that this cast has poured heart and soul into the performance, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who witnesses their remarkable work. 

Mike Horberg showed all the emotions throughout this play. He started out gregarious and happy, went to worried and concerned, and ended up distraught and emotionally wounded.  Though it was unforgiveable what Joe did, my heart wanted it all to work out. 

Hannah Ehlinger and Logan Bresette as Ann and Chris had gentle chemistry, but they responded to Kelsey Ledford’s Kate as if she really were their mother. Ledford was emotional and demanding. She really controlled the cast with her mother’s guilt. Trey Wentworth as George was another emotionally demanding character. There was no secret that he was upset at the whole situation.  

The rest of the cast did a great job supporting the main family. I especially enjoyed watching Michael Barker’s Frank placate Kate with the horoscope. He kept things light for a moment until you learned just how serious the situation was.  

The set was impressive. It really did look like the back of a house. It was massive. The costumes help set the mood for the time period.  

Twin Lakes Playhouse puts out a lot of great work that cultivates meaningful engagement with the community, all while preserving and celebrating the power of great theater to reflect the human experience. This production is a great example of this and needs to be viewed if you are anywhere near Mountain Home.  

For tickets, visit their website at twinlakesplayhouse.org. 

CREATIVE TEAM 

Director – Mike Horberg 

Assistant Directors – Steve Fox & Jenny Horberg 

Stage Manager – Jenny Horberg 

Lights and Sound – Jeff Pyzocha 

Set Design – Mike Horberg 

Set Construction/Painting -- Mike Horberg, Jenny Horberg, Steve Fox, Jeff Pyzocha, 

Michael Barker, Vance Jones, Shannon Igans, Parker Issacson 

Special Thanks – Sierra Harris 

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