'All My Sons' examines a war torn family
A good job that returns a modest, but comfortable living in a suburban home to a wholesome, moral family -- in other words, the “American Dream.” The concept is well-known, well-pursued but the costs at which a person stops at to get their share of the dream, if it even exists at all, is perilous.
Stephens College is performing Arthur Miller’s modern drama, "All My Sons," which explores the combined sentiments of an illusory American dream and the concept of war profiteering in a post WWII American family. The play begins its tenure with a performance Friday, and runs through Halloween weekend. Despite being written in the first half of the 20th century, the primary themes are still relevant to a contemporary audience in light of the current war and economic pressures.
The play centers its focus on a father and owner of a parts making factory for the war, Joe Keller and the decay of his family under the strain of his guilt in sending poorly made parts to troops in the war. This mistake resulted in the death of American soldiers. His business partner goes to jail, though it is Keller who actually bears the burden of guilt.
Like many modernist pieces, the play centers its focus around men struggling with the intensity of war, capitalism and industrialization. However, director Lamby Hedge said an added benefit of the play is its several strong female roles. These roles consist of the wife of Joe Keller, Kate, whose complexity is amplified by her knowledge of her husband’s wrong doing. Anne, the daughter of the man who took the fall for Joe Keller and then two juicy, gossipy neighbor roles also play strong parts.
“Every role is a great role,” Hedge said. “Each presents marvelous challenges for the actor, and a chance to bite off something with complexity and range."
