'All My Sons' good without spark

Before 1947, Arthur Miller had more turkeys than the Pilgrims. And then came "All My Sons." Director Richard Perez's show opened Friday at the John Waldron Arts Center at 122 S. Walnut St. The show runs two more weekends -- Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. It plays in the JWAC Auditorium. \nHarvey G. Cocks, Jr. spent 30 years in New York City and is my favorite source on all things theater. Cocks said he saw the show for free when it opened at the Coronet Theatre boasting the names of Karl Malden, Arthur Kennedy and Ed Begley. The show was directed by a man whose history wasn't much to brag about before "All My Sons," either. But almost 60 years later, Elia Kazan can do all the bragging he wants.\nRoughly 50 people braved the soon-to-be ice-covered Bloomington streets to witness the opening night of the 6th show in the JWAC 10th anniversary series.\nJoe Keller (Mark G. McIntyre) is a self-made man who is no stranger to hard work. The idea that war is good for business served Joe well during World War II. His factory made cylinder heads for P-40 fighter aircraft and made more money in the four or five years of the war than Joe thought he'd see in a lifetime. McIntyre did a wonderful job playing a crusty, working-class man, who feels that the well-being of his family far outweighs the good of society. Lively and energetic, McIntyre's stage movements and presence were top notch. None of his gestures seemed awkward, but always natural. He was never "not-in-the-scene."\nI can't say the same about Brent Burcroff's portrayal of the dreamy-eyed son Chris, who seems to have an almost dysfunctional view of reality. Perez's choice of Burcroff puzzles me. He was too tall and lanky to fit in well with the other cast members. He was much too tall to be a son of Joe and Kate Keller. His delivery was monotone and much too subdued. But his performance had a few bright sparks during the scene of George Deever's (Mike Price) visit, and in the conclusion of the show.\nIt seems monotone and lackluster energy swept the cast. Next door neighbor Dr. Jim Bayliss (Kevin Woodruff) suffered the same fate, but without any of the redemptive sparks.\nBut whenever a dull minute crept along too long, Joe and Kate (Marcia Dangerfield) came along and saved the show. They had an excellent chemistry. The married couple suffered the wrath of a corrupt reality. Joe was tormented by it, and Kate was in denial of it.\nIf you've seen Miller's "Death of a Salesman," you'll see comparisons to it in "All My Sons." It may even seem as though "All My Sons" was a trial run for the better known and epic "Salesman." Similarities include the corruption greed can create; the conflict between the family's two sons; and the mother seems to be a little out of it. Also, the father is struggling to cope with the reality he knows too well. The ending with the father's surrender to that reality is familiar as well.\nWhile I recommend this show wholeheartedly, and speak well of Perez's directorial talent frequently, I caution that the show seems to drag at times. Some of the acting isn't anything I'd rave about. Which I haven't.