Arthur Miller’s All My Sons A Riveting Drama

a review by Alex Brooks
Hubbard Hall has opened a fine new production of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, directed by Allen McCullough. McCullough is an actor based in Brooklyn (although he has deep roots in Bennington). He has a lengthy resume as an actor, but this is his debut as a director. He makes no grand directorial statements here – the set is simple, there is no music or fancy stage business or innovative interpretations – he succeeds by drawing great performances from his actors and putting the acting at the center of the production.
The play was written in 1946 and produced on Broadway in 1947, and it was Miller’s first success in the theater, winning a Tony Award for best written play and a NY Drama Critics Circle Award. It launched his hugely successful career, although the play’s critical view of the American Dream of material success earned Miller a trip before the House Un-American Activities Committee a few years later during the McCarthy era.
Watching it is an intense experience as Miller takes us from mystery to tragedy through the story of one man’s American Dream, which turns to nightmare when honesty and morality are casualties of an overweening desire for business success. With echoes of both Greek tragedy and Ibsen, the play ingeniously demonstrates the impossibility of separating business ethics from one’s personal life, calling into question traditional American verities about war and making one’s fortune.
The play’s themes seem to be focused on current issues in our country even though it has been 63 years since it was first written and performed. As Director McCullough puts it, “I am struck by how fresh and relevant it is to our present moment.”
The cast is uniformly strong but is carried by compelling performances by Josh Bywater as Chris Keller and Melissa Herion as Ann Deever. The energy of their romance brings to life the agonizing entanglements of their family’s recent history and makes the whole thing work. Both appear on the Hubbard Hall stage for the first time, and this infusion of young acting talent bodes well for the rebirth of Hubbard Hall theater in the post Kevin McGuire era.
Remaining performances are April 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 8 pm and April 11, 18 and 25 at 2 pm. Tickets are $20 for Hubbard Hall members, $24 for non-members and $15 for students and children. Tickets may be reserved and purchased by calling 518-677-2495.