The curtain is set to rise on this year’s fall play, Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, tonight. If you’re still contemplating going, you have the opportunity for a unique theatrical experience.
“[All My Sons] is not something that schools do as often, so I feel like if they see it now, you know, they probably won’t get this chance for a while, so they should probably take advantage of it,” cast member Kyleen Pickering said of the dark, mature play.
The cast is small but well-rounded, and has a wonderful, natural chemistry that can be felt from the seats. The show is subtle and intriguing, and creates an emotional connection with the audience. It is quietly powerful and moves along at a perfect pace.
As engaged as the audience will be with the play, the actors are just as excited for them to experience it.
“I’m excited for them to see how the play escalates and how your expectations change throughout the play,” senior Joe Brommel said.
Those expectations should be easy for the cast to manipulate, since few students will be familiar with its plot. The play is a classic but is uncommon for a high school stage.
“People keep asking me what’s it about, but I don’t know how to tell them because it’s so complicated,” Mitch Kedzior said. “So I’m just interested to see what the reactions are.”
While capturing the plot may be difficult for the performers, junior Neal Edwards was capable of capturing the tone of the play compared to last year’s farce, Noises Off.
“Noises Off was a total comedy, and this is a total tragedy,” Edwards said. “It’s really sad almost the entire time. It takes things in a darker direction, it’s going to be something new for audiences.”
“It’s meant to show the shaky lines between good and evil,” sophomore Celeste Pelletier said. Those shaky lines are drawn in the most familiar of settings for the show.
“You start out with a very picturesque town in the late forties and then the cracks start to show as the play goes on,” Brommel said. “I think people will really like seeing that.
“And also, I mean, the set is fantastic for the show. It’s so nice, there’s Astroturf, there’s a tree planted. It’s fantastic,” he said, laughing.
The set is, in fact, fantastic. It is a picture that you could assume was your own backyard. The scenery even left some people speechless. Edwards, when asked what he was most excited for, could only spit out: “The set, ‘cause…the set.”
Well, there you have it folks: the beginning of what seems to be a beautiful tragedy. With a stellar cast and an awesome crew, this production is set up for success. One that leaves you walking out after the curtain has closed questioning the rules of right and wrong and the trust of family.