Reviewer: Howard Steven Frydman aka “The Howard”
Production: All My Sons
Theater: The Hartford Stage
Playwright: Arthur Miller
Directed by: Melia Bensussen
Scenic Design: Riw Rakkulchon
The Howard Says- “All My Sons”- The Gold Standard of Live Theater at Hartford Stage
I believe in the Hartford Stage! There is no denying it- for highly charged emotional productions, dynamic acting, direction par excellence and stellar costumes & set designs- The Hartford Stage is indeed the “Gold Standard” of Live Theater. I have just come from such a “Gold Standard” outing- their current production of the Arthur Miller masterpiece drama, “All My Sons”, directed by Hartford Stage Artistic Director, Melia Bensussen, and starring the “one and only” star of stage and screen – Marsha Mason! Par Excellence!!! Well let me tell you friends, upon viewing “The Howard” most ardently states “Believe you me”, this is indeed “a once in life time theatrical outing”– “High Drama” at its FINEST! Truly, this is an experience you simply do not want to miss!! My friends, “All My Sons”, continues the Hartford Stage’s 60th Anniversary Season, in true dramatic fashion, and will be in production until May 5, 2024, at 50 Church Street, Hartford, CT.
I rightly state, The Hartford Stage has been a good friend over the years. Let me reminisce before our entry point review of “All My Sons”. We have been friends from my very first encounter and review entry production, “Cymbeline”, staring Kate Burton, “Our Town” with Hal Holbrook, to “Kiss me Kate” staring the multi-talented Anastasia Barzee. I truly state I am an ardent fan of both The Hartford Stage, artistic director Melia Bessussen and current star – Marsha Mason, this very day, we are so privileged, to be part of an audience of enthusiastic theater folks and be able to take in the amazing, dramatic talents of actress Marsha Mason, who we last saw in The Hartford Stages production of Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers.” She was totally brilliant then, and OMG, throughout “All My Sons”, as “Mother” Kate Keller she is a highly charged dynamo delight, we feel her pain, emotions reign supreme, and we sit at the edge of our seats, head in hand at her every stage entry. Let me fast forward three hours after performance, returning home, I turn on my television, and you guessed it, Mason’s film classic “The Goodbye Girl” is playing. Richard Dreyfuss is knocking on her apartment door and Marsha states “you have five minutes, leave your bags, this is not a permanent conversation.” Deja vu I tell ya – something is watching over me!! The permanent conversation here- actress Marsha Mason, director Melia Bessussen, and Hartford Stage combined– a must see theatrical experience.
I so like to utilize Alfred Hitchcock’s term “The MacGuffin”, the catalyst that either sets everything in motion, resolves around, and the direct motivations for our various characters. In playwright Millers three act play “All My Sons” it’s the discovery that faulty cracked cylinder heads for aircraft engines used in WWII were flawed, 21 pilots lost their lives and a coverup by Joe Keller (Michael Gaston), who profits from the war, blaming his partner Steve Deever for the crime, was put into place – “weld up the cracks and paint them over” and send them out. With this small detail, worlds collide, families destroyed and we enter the world of “All My Sons.”
This August Sunday morning of 1946, local businessmen Joe Keller will not get to read his paper in peace, as he sits in his disheveled back yard. There are several storms a brewing- besides the storm the night before that has taken down the apple tree dedicated to the honor of WW2 pilot son Larry, another son, George Deever, (Reese Dos Santos) has just come from visiting his father Steve in prison and now knows the real truth and intends to confront Joe. Devoted mother and wife Kate Keller, (Marsha Mason) still has an undeniable belief that her son Larry is still alive, “there’s no body and there’s no grave,” all the while knowing her husband Joe was really at fault. In the meantime, Joe and Kate’s other son Chris (Ken Katz) has invited Larry’s old girlfriend, Ann Deever (Fiona Robberson) to visit, with the intention to marry her. Yet Ann brings with her more than marriage on her mind, a letter from the past that may be the key to unlocking long kept dark secrets.
Friends, as stated, I strongly urge you to see this glorious “true treasure of a production” at Hartford Stage. From unforgettable star quality, the glorious Marsha Mason, extraordinary stage direction from Melia Bensussen, an amazing scenic design by Riw Rakkulchon, “All My Sons” is an unforgettable event that only comes around once in a blue moon! Folks this is truly “edge of your seat” drama unfolding before you – you are connected to our actors, supporting them with our full attention to the drama that is slowly unfolding. Major kudos to our cast including Michael Gaston as Joe Keller, making his Hartford Stage debut, provides a stellar heartfelt performance. Joining Marsha Mason and Michael Gaston in the cast includes Yadira Correa as Sue Bayliss, Reece Dos Santos as George Deever, Ben Katz as Chris Keller, Fiona Robberson as Ann Deever, Godfrey Simmons as Dr. Jim Bayliss, Dan Whelton as Frank Lubey, and Caitlin Zoz as Lydia Lubey. Thank you, Harford Stage, for being OUR Friend!!! Enjoy!
All My Sons will run through Sunday, May 5, 2024. Tuesday through Thursday evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8:00 p.m.; matinee performances on Saturdays, Sundays, and a select Wednesday begin at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets for All My Sons start at $30. Discounts are available for students and groups. Email boxoffice@hartfordstage.org for more information about pricing and availability.
There are three ways to purchase tickets, online at HartfordStage.org, by phone at 860-527-5151, or in person at the box office at 50 Church Street.
Howard Steven Frydman aka “The Howard” is General Manager and Executive Director of BATV – Channels 5, 95 & 96 and a member of the CCC. Please feel free to contact Mr. Frydman with your thoughts and ideas at TheHoward24@gmail.com.
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