Lebanon Valley College's Wig & Buckle Theater Company to Perform All My Sons in February

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Wig and Buckle Theater Company will produce “All My Sons,” a play by Arthur Miller on Feb. 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22.

ANNVILLE, PA (01/26/2015)(readMedia)-- Lebanon Valley College's Wig and Buckle Theater Company will produce "All My Sons," a play by Arthur Miller that is based on a true story. The production is the third performance of the Company's 2014–2015 season, "Beneath the Surface." Appropriately for such a theme, Miller's 1947 play explores deception as it relates to guilt and the destruction of the American dream.

"Audiences will enjoy the play's themes and family relationships," said Shannon Kane '16, a stage manager for the production. "It's a timeless play that anyone can relate to."

"All My Sons" centers around former factory head Joe Keller (Chris Dunlap '15) and his family. In the aftermath of World War II, his son Larry is missing and presumed dead, and his wife, Kate (Lacey Eriksen '16), adamantly refuses to believe that he will not be returning. Underlying the growing unrest in the Keller family is Joe's darkest secret and the engagement of son Chris Keller (Blace Newkirk '16) and neighbor Ann Deever (Hannah Brough '17).

"Chris and Ann are in love, and the show starts with her return from New York," said Brough. "Playing Ann Deever has been interesting. She's from the 1940s, so she's a very ladylike and serious character, and I've never done something like that before."

The cast has already finished blocking the majority of the show, having returned early from winter break in order to prepare. Dr. Kevin Pry, the show's director and an associate professor of English at LVC, is very pleased with how well the show is developing.

"Progress has been remarkably swift," said Pry. "The actors are a very fine group, and very quick. They're very committed."

"Dr. Pry is very supportive. He lets us do a lot of the blocking ourselves, and will ask us about our motivations and why we're moving in a certain way," added Brough.

Pry noted that performing "All My Sons" is very intense, calling it an "emotional rollercoaster." He cited the grim attitude of the play's war veterans and the devastation felt by their stateside counterparts as an example of clashing experiences and personalities.

"The play deals with all kinds of human trauma attached to war," said Pry. "You really have to throw everything you are into it, so it can be physically and emotionally exhausting."

Pry also believes that the cast's willingness to push themselves to their limits is a huge part of what makes the show worth watching. Like Kane, he also spoke of how the show is relatable to a modern audience, especially given the current prevalence of armed conflicts.

"It's an astoundingly wild and emotional night in the theater," said Pry. "You have to be a brave actor to do a play such as All My Sons."

The show features the acting talents of Chris Dunlap '15, Lacey Eriksen '16, Blace Newkirk '16, Hannah Brough '18, Jarrod Goss '16, Kevin Gane '16, Rachel Hogan '17, Jacob Kanavins '18, and Suzette Madanat '15.

The company will also perform "Tartuffe" in April, directed by Lacey Eriksen '16.

Evening performances will be Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13–14 as well as Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21–22 at 8 p.m. Matinees will be held on Sunday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are free for LVC students, $15 for adults; $10 for non-LVC students, alumni, and faculty; $5 for children 10 and under; and $5 for seniors 60 and over.

For more information or to reserve tickets, visit www.wigandbuckle.com, call 717-867-6162, or email wigandbuckle@lvc.edu.