This past weekend O’Dowd theatre department closed their winter production of All My Sons. Written by Arthur Miller in 1946, the play surrounds the Keller family, who are struggling with the disappearance of their son Larry, who has been missing since the end of World War II. Over the course of the play, tensions rise between the characters as hidden family secrets are revealed, keeping the audience hooked and entertained. Performances opened on February 7th with a completely sold-out theater and closed last Sunday afternoon on February 16th! This captivating production was a must-see and had the audience leaving the theater emotional and astonished.

The show was performed in the Black Box Theatre, a new addition to our campus in 2022 with the completion of the Bishop John S. Cummins Center in 2022. The set, built by O’dowd own tech crew, was a single house, with a porch stretched to the first row in the audience. To the left was a great tree that fell to the floor in a storm within the first moments of the production, making the experience feel realistic and as though the audience was living in the story. 

They open with Joe Keller, played by Benji Wolmark ‘26, and his son Chris Keller, played by Roman Wenzler ‘26. Their impressive dynamic only adds to the performance’s realism and emotional depth. Later joined by Kate Keller, played by Sofia Marletta ‘26, the family discusses their lost son Larry and argue over his whereabouts. Sofia’s performance of a devoted mother was both heart-wrenching yet powerful, as she depicted the character’s devotion and faith in both her son and her family. The emotions portrayed by this talented cast felt extremely authentic, drawing the audience in and causing us to share sentiments of sorrow and empathy. 

As tensions rise between the characters as siblings Ann and George Deever arrive, played by Eli Morse ‘27 and Hannah Sweeting ‘26, the both mysterious and suspicious nature of Joe’s past builds suspense, keeping audience members on the edge of their seats as secrets begin to come into the light. 

After intermission, the production takes a serious turn. With the introduction of new characters, stories, and context, we learn the truth about Joe’s past endeavors with the father of the Deevers, who was falsely imprisoned. Through a scene of angst, betrayal, depression, and grief, Benji, Sofia, and Roman capture the family’s despair and mourning as they discover the truth about their first-born son Larry and the truth behind his passing. 

Zoë Howard ’26, a student who saw the production during closing weekend comments, “The show was very well done, all of the acting was great and the storyline had me invested the whole time. Their ability to memorize so many lines and appearing so natural onstage was incredible.”

Overall, the way that the actors handled such intense and grave topics was both fascinating and impressive. The acting in All My Sons was beautiful work, and both the cast and crew should be very proud of their success. If you missed the chance to see these amazing students perform, stay tuned for more information on the upcoming spring musical and cabaret performances, and make sure you follow @odowdtheater for updates!