All My Sons
by Arthur Miller
Directed by Randall Arney
with Len Cariou, Laura Metcalf, Neil Patric Harris
Geffen Playhouse, Los Angeles, CA
April 20, 2005
Image: The Geffen's title artwork for All My Sons
The Geffen Playhouse's 3rd play of the current season is a strongly acted and deftly staged production of Arthur Miller's classic 1947 play, "All My Sons." It's a true test of a great play when, almost 60 years later, its themes and drama still hold true and relevant. The story is gripping, the characters are as though they could be around today, and the themes timeless. Themes like moral integrity in the face of struggle, or like waking up one day and discovering your parents aren't the gods you thought they were - all presented in a context that is hardly dated, even if it is specific to World War II.
The cast is almost uniformly strong, especially Len Cariou as the father. Neil Patrick Harris has the tendency to be a bit stiff at times (and he looks out of place all buffed up and pretty), but manages to hit all the right emotional notes. I was very impressed with Amy Sloan's Ann, who was entirely natural and at ease in her character while still bring texture and warmth.
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