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Performing Arts

Gauging our moral compass

Stellar production of Arthur Miller’s classic runs at DAC

Joe Keller is a likeable guy. Affable and apparently comfortable in his own skin, he’s worked hard to support his family by running a manufacturing business for 40 years. And he’s proud of his truncated education. When his better educated son laughingly corrects his pronunciation of the word “brooch,” Keller bites back.

That simple exchange draws a generational divide that chasms through Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons.”

In a wonderfully realized production now at the Durango Arts Center, more than pride is at stake. In this tightly written work, where every character completes a complex dramatic puzzle, seemingly offhand comments all pay off by the conclusion. Beyond the themes of familial duty, duplicity and the call of memory, the whole storied American Dream is at stake. Working hard and wanting the good life turn into moral dilemmas that can stain one conscience or a whole community. Keller isn’t the only one with a faulty moral compass.

Staged by a consortium of artistic entities, “Sons” has been organized by Fort Lewis College’s Department of Theatre, Merely Players and DAC. The production runs only through this weekend, so get a ticket now.

Miller’s post World War II story dramatizes the consequences of war profiteering. Despite cheerful banter, every character walks wounded to one degree or another.

An opening storm sequence sets all the contrasts in motion – deep underlying trouble and sunny, surface optimism. With dramatic sureness, director Mona Wood-Patterson approaches Miller’s alternating rhythms of detail and discovery with great intelligence. Charles Ford’s realistic set gives the Keller neighborhood just enough grass to underscore time, place and communal interdependence.

Wood-Patterson directs a stellar cast headed by Dennis Elkins, an Equity Actor who chairs FLC’s drama department. After the storm, Elkins immediately brings a smiling ease to 61-year-old Joe. He’s joined by a dream cast: Mike Gertsen-Rogers’ intelligent interpretation of son Chris; Dolores Mazurkewicz’s warm and determined Kate; Austin Minard’s loopy neighbor Frank; Katie Regan’s helpful Lydia; Anthony Berger’s smart kid Bert; James Rollins’ reliable Dr. Jim Bayliss; Erika Beardsley’s shrewish Sue; Molly Quinn’s thoughtfully realistic Ann Deever; and Avery Scott Martinez’s conflicted George, her brother.

The modern preference to transform a three act-structure into a two-act format is another matter. Miller crafted the story to unspool over one day in three acts with two intermissions. Contemporary directors are almost required to reformat with one intermission.

Consequently, momentum breaks in odd places. For example, toward the end of Act II, there’s a major confrontation between father and son followed by a blackout. On opening night, that stunned and confused the audience. It felt like a true ending. But because of the strong, believable performances of Elkins and Gertsen-Rogers, applause broke out. Yet, several plot lines remained incomplete. The powerful conclusion was yet to come. A note in the program about one intermission would help.

That said, it’s been a while since such a polished production of a great play has been offered to local audiences. Kudos to the collaboration that has brought “All My Sons” to fruition.

Running time is approximately two hours and 15 minutes.

jreynolds@durangoherald.com. Judith Reynolds is a Durango writer, art historian and arts journalist.

If you go

“All My Sons” – a production of Fort Lewis College’s Department of Theatre in collaboration with Merely Players and the Durango Arts Center – will continue with runs on Thursday through Sunday at the DAC Theatre. Visit www.durangoarts.org for times and ticket prices.



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