Family battles internal wars

By Kirstie Hettinga
The Collegian

Arthur Miller’s All My Sons is as resounding today as it was when it debuted nearly 60 years ago.

All My Sons, which opens tonight in Fresno State’s John Wright Theatre, is a tale of ethics, family and the choices that people make for themselves and for society.

Dan Pessano, the guest artist who will portray Joe Keller, said the play is about the choices people have to make between morality and avarice. He said he sees the relevance of the play in today’s society.

Pessano said today’s society is an example of “people giving up on what would be the common good for their own selfishness or making choices that put people at risk for their own well being.”

All My Sons focuses on the lives of the Keller family, a family that has been torn apart by war and internal strife. Joe Keller and his wife, Kate, are coping with the loss of one son, Larry. Their other son, Chris, is dealing with the loss of his brother and the development of his feelings for his dead brother’s girlfriend, Ann.

Associate Director Anthony Rico Nan said, “The play revolves around that sense of loss and the loss of innocence as a nation and loss of family and loved ones.”

The Keller’s home life is further complicated by the stigma of Joe being charged with selling faulty airplane parts to the military during the war. More than 20 men died because of the damaged parts produced by Joe’s factory. Joe was exonerated. His partner, who also happens to be Ann’s father, was not and is serving time in jail.

Jacque Babb, who plays Kate Keller, said the play is not about a time period.

“Anytime you have a play about war, it’s timeless.” Babb also said the play is about relationships and “coping with your circumstances.”

How the characters cope with the circumstances thrust upon them moves this play forward. Chris Keller finds himself asking what he must do when the people he has had the most unshakeable faith in lose their way.

Mike Oldham who portrays Chris said, “It’s a hard show.” He said the show is poignant because it shows people what they hope never to deal with and how they deal with it when faced with no other option.

Director Ed EmanuEl said the play is very topical and said he has a hunch America will be going through some of the same things.

“We’re going to hear the same stories,” he said, referring to loss of loved ones.

EmanuEl said the show is a dedication to the playwright, Arthur Miller, who died earlier this year. EmanuEl said he “wanted to bring the poetry and power of the play to the audience.”

The power of the play is brought to the stage by a cast that includes theatre arts majors, an elementary student and the father-daughter duo of Guest Artist Dan Pessano and his daughter, Emily, who plays Ann.

Pessano said, “Theatre is the greatest team game there is because you have representations of all age groups, you have all skills, you’ve got guys, you’ve got gals, you’ve got kids and we’re all committed to the work.”

The cast’s dedication to the play has paid off. All My Sons opens tonight at 8 p.m. and at the same time on Dec. 3, and Dec. 6-10. There is a Sunday matinee Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for students, $13 for faculty, staff and seniors and $15 general admission.

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