BWW Reviews: Everyman's ALL MY SONS Is What Theater is All About

Everyman Theatre's Artistic Director Vince Lancisi has done it again. He has directed a play I've seen on Broadway and did it better. This time it's the classic play by the late Arthur Miller, All My Sons.

I became acquainted with the play for the first time in  2008 seeing the Broadway production starring John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Patrick Wilson, and Katie Holmes.  I loved the play and what it has to say and was surprised that local theaters didn't seem to want to do it.

Well, leave it to Lancisi who directs this amazing cast in what arguably could be one the best productions ever done at the Everyman.

I will not divulge facts from the show which some critics have mentioned in their reviews which I believe should not be revealed.  The play takes place in 1947 and revolves around the family of Joe Keller, a successful manufacturer of parts used in World II airplanes. One batch of the parts turned out to be defective which caused the deaths of 21 American soldiers. What followed was a trial involving Keller and his business partner who was the only one convicted and sent to jail. His daughter, Ann has come to visit the Keller's son Chris. Chris' younger brother Larry has been missing while serving overseas and was engaged to Ann. Keller's wife Kate holds onto the hope that Larry will return alive and marry Kate. Meantime, Chris has invited Ann to the Keller home to propose marriage.

The role of Joe Keller is incredible complex. He is a loving father, husband, provider, and desires nothing more than to leave his successful business to his son Chris.  Playing the pivotal role of the 62 year old father is Carl Schurr. I at first thought he was too old to play the role, but I certainly understand why Lancisi cast him. He is the brick that holds this house together. He's a dynamic actor.

The incomparable Deborah Hazlett tackles the role of Kate and makes her character so believable. One cannot but feel sorry for her in her relentless hope that her son will return from the war. Has she ever not given a superb performance? This is her 20th performance at the Everyman. She was interviewed by Bruce Nelson and this can be found on the Everyman Theatre blog at www.everymantheatre.org.

Clinton Brandhagen you may remember from  Irma Vep and playing the role of the canine in Shipwrecked. (He actually still has calluses on hands from that part.)  What an actor!!

Playing the effervescent Ann is Beth Hylton who brings so much exuberance to her character. She's a breath of fresh air in a the middle of malaise.

A key character is Ann's brother played by Tim Getman, who arrives at the Keller home after visiting his father in jail.

Neighbors of the Kellers include Megan Anderson as Una, Drew Kopas as Frank Lubey, Bruce Randolph Nelson as Dr. Bayless, Jjana Valentiner as Lydia Lubey, and the brothers Thomas and TJ Langston play the young Bert.

Daniel Ettinger's set is just what is needed and the lighting by Andrew F. Griffin is very effective. The show is a little more violent according to Brandhagen and Lewis Shaw is responsible for the realistic fight choreography.

I had the distinct honor of meeting the playwright before the broadcast of the 2002 Tony Awards. I met him in the back of the theater, walked up to him, shook his hand and said simply, "Thank you so much for your work." It was a moment I'll never forget.

To read a nice article on Schurr, see Mary Carole McCauley's article in the November 11 Baltimore Sun..

For tickets, call 410-752-2208, visit email boxoffice@everymantheatre.org or visit www.everymantheatre.org.

Everyman Presents A Tribute to Johnny Mercer, a winter cabaret from Dec. 26 to January 2.

Following that,Shooting Star by Steven Dietz will run January 19 to February 20. Forty-five minutes prior to each performance, audiences are invited to attend an informational discussion about the new theater in downtown Baltimore on Fayette Street.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

 

 

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