“All My Sons” at Hartford Stage by Zander Opper

“All My Sons”

Hartford Stage

Hartford Stage is currently presenting a devastating and superlative production of Arthur Miller’s play, “All My Sons.”  Mainly focusing on two families after World War II, this show gradually reveals more and more information into the secrets and lies that exist beneath the surface.  Under the fine direction by Melia Bensussen, “All My Sons” is also blessed with a superb cast, with Marsha Mason being particularly outstanding.  Even being familiar with this play or the film version with Edward G. Robinson and Burt Lancaster, the power of “All My Sons” to move and shock an audience remains highly potent.  “All My Sons” at Hartford Stage is stunning and it is most highly recommended to try to catch the show before the production closes.

On Riw Rakkulchon’s attractive and lush set of a suburban neighborhood in 1946, this play slowly introduces the characters in the show, with the ultimate drama not really surfacing into near the second act.  The first person seen onstage is the excellent Michael Gaston as Joe Keller, who occupies the house onstage, which sits rather high on a hill on the set.  The opening friendly chatter between the neighbors in the town doesn’t begin to hint at the crux of the tensions in the play.  It is revealed that Joe Keller’s son Larry, who served in the war, has been missing for over three years.  And while Joe and, especially, his other son Chris (the terrific Ben Katz) want to move on and pronounce that Larry is gone forever, Joe’s wife Kate maintains that, since Larry’s body was never found, he will still eventually come home.

Kate is played by Marsha Mason and it is really in the introduction of this character that the plot of the show begins to fully surface.  Mason looks great in her period perfect outfits (the expert costumes are designed by An-lin Dauber), but it is the intensity and warmth in this actress’ portrayal which brings the play to its full strength.  Simultaneously serene and, at times, acutely distressed, Mason really shines in the show and she truly represents the heart of the play and is one of its driving forces.

This is not to say that the rest of the cast is not similarly stellar.  Playing neighbors to the Keller family, Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr. is the local doctor in the town and his wife is played by Yadira Correa.  Simmons easily holds his own amongst his fellow performers and Correa is particularly strong in a tension-filled scene in the second act.  The character which Correa interacts with in this scene is the lovely Fiona Robberson as Ann Deever.  Ann was Larry’s girl before the he went off to war and it is established early on that she wants to now marry Larry’s brother Chris.  Robberson and Katz, as these two characters, have a wonderful chemistry onstage and one begins to root for them to finally get together, despite Mason’s belief that Larry will return from the war.

To reveal any more about the show would spoil the many surprises and untold stories that pop up in the play.  Suffice it is to say that “All My Sons” gradually grows in power through its second half, with the final moments moving one to tears.  Also in the cast of characters are the neighbors Frank and Lydia Lubey (played extremely well by, respectively, Dan Whelton and Caitlin Zoz) and there is also the adorable Malachy Glanovsky as Bert, the young boy in the neighborhood who regularly visits the Keller family.  And then there is the slightly frightening Reece Dos Santos, as Ann’s brother George, who enters late in the show and casts a dark and angry shadow upon the play.  Indeed, once George makes an appearance, the many skeletons in the closet of the central families begin to pour out.

“All My Sons” at Hartford Stage is a handsome production, with atmospheric lighting by Mary Louise Geiger and the original music and sound design is provided perfectly by Lucas Clopton.  The director keeps one riveted throughout and, as one truly becomes attached to the characters in the play, the drama eventually, and quite literally, finally explodes.  “All My Sons” is one of the strongest productions recently seen at Hartford Stage and everyone involved with this show brings full and heartbreaking justice to Arthur Miller’s shattering play.  Do try and see it and make sure you bring plenty of tissues.

“All My Sons” runs through May 5, 2024, at Hartford Stage, 50 Church St., Hartford CT.  For tickets and more information, please call 860-527-5151 or visit www.hartfordstage.org.  

Photo: Marsha Mason and Fiona Robberson

Photo by T. Charles Erickson