Review: ALL MY SONS Opens the Walterdale Theatre's 65th Season

At first glance, the Kellers are just another tight-knit family in their nondescript American neighbourhood. However, the shadow of World War II lingers, as does the Kellers’ unspeakable pain of losing their son and brother, Larry. As the post-war years crawl past, the family matriarch, Kate, clings fiercely to her hope that her missing son will still come home. Her husband, Joe, has grimly accepted Larry’s likely fate while the other son, Chris, grapples with his own romantic feelings for his brother’s visiting girlfriend. 

Arthur Miller’s 1946 tragedy, ALL MY SONS, opens the 65th season at Edmonton’s Walterdale Theatre. The intimate venue is ideal for this emotionally fraught drama. Not even the minutest gesture or facial expression goes unnoticed by the audience, who hangs onto the characters’ every word. Joan Heys Hawkins’ simple but striking set design features the Kellers’ back door and yard, complete with a trellis, potted plants, and a lone tree crippled by a recent windstorm. Richard Hatfield’s lighting design evokes dewy early mornings and moonlit nights while Geri Dittrich’s costumes help bring the 1940s to life. 

Performing in such an emotionally charged show is no easy feat, but the performers make it look effortless. Dave Wolkowski leads the cast as the often-formidable Joe while Ursula Pattloch paints a heartbreaking portrait of his still-inconsolable wife, Kate. Franco Correa steps into the shoes of the Kellers’ 20-something son, Chris, and Jasmine Hopfe portrays his matter-of-fact love interest, Ann. Stopping by occasionally are the Kellers’ horoscope-obsessed neighbour, Frank (Amir Shah), the downtrodden Dr. Bayliss (Lee Conrad), and their respective wives, Lydia (Angela James-Findlay) and Sue (Mélissa Masse). 

What begins as a slow-burn domestic drama rapidly escalates into a gripping story of long-buried secrets, lies, and loyalty. By the time Ann’s brother, George (Colin Stewart), arrives in Act II, the simmering tension only continues to escalate. The chemistry between the performers is effortless, as is the characters’ grief, anger, and often fragile hopes. When rare glimmers of comic relief appear, they often do so in the form of Joe’s interactions with the precocious, pint-sized neighbour Bertie (Catherine Krause). 

From the beginning to end, ALL MY SONS is utterly compelling. It is one of the Walterdale’s finest productions in recent years and one that audiences will not soon forget. From the beginning to end, ALL MY SONS is utterly compelling. It is one of the Walterdale’s finest productions in recent years and one that audiences will not soon forget. It plays until October 21.  

Photo: Scott Henderson, Henderson Images, featuring Dave Wolkowski and Franco Correa

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