By Frank O’Donnell, WPRO Arts and Entertainment Contributor
David Kane was invited to explore the Rhode Island Stage Ensemble’s Young Director’s Series. After RISE’s board heard Kane’s concept for Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,” a play they’d already chosen, they offered him the job.
“There are so many sub-plots and high stakes,” says Kane about the play, “that I don’t know if my explanation could do it justice.” RISE’s synopsis: “A drama centered on the Kellers, a wounded American family struggling with loss and learning to live with the consequences of their actions.”
The play is based in the late 40s, and centers on a mishap involving defective missiles that kill 21 American soldiers. Buried secrets come pouring out in a 24-hour period in the Kellers’ backyard.
“To be perfectly honest, Arthur Miller is not a favorite playwright of mine,” says Kane. “But after reading this, it really struck a chord, that fact that this can happen tomorrow. The family secrets, the themes of loss and innocence, holding out hope, and having consequences for your actions catch up with you became unbelievably inspiring. The way everything unfolds and plays out is brilliant.”
“I’ve always loved ‘All My Sons,’” says Candice Sampson, who plays Anne Deever in the show. “The character of Anne has always intrigued me. Just when you think you know her, she throws you for a loop.”
Sean Burns plays Chris Keller, and he finds the show challenging. “Not only is there a lot of text, but it’s very heavy text and has to be presented perfectly to convey proper emotion throughout the show, and believe me, there’s a lot of it.”
Sampson finds the show’s subtext challenging. “There’s so much these characters are saying in between the lines and sometimes it’s tough to make sure that gets across. ‘All My Sons’ is as much about what is left unsaid as what is actually said.”
The best part for Kane is that the RISE board and his cast have placed their trust in him. “They allowed me complete creative control, and they embraced my vision, aesthetic, process and acting style. They didn’t know me, but they jumped in 100%, and then they became just as in love and invested in telling this story.”
Sean Burns says it will mean a lot if people come to see the show. “It would mean just as much to have the cast I work with bring you to tears.”
RISE presents “All My Sons” Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 12. Complete details can be found at www.ristage.org.
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Frank O’Donnell
