Friday, March 6, 2026
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Latest:
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Lifestyles

‘ALL MY SONS’

Evan Clark
From left, Chris Keller, played by Colton Swinbold; Ann Deever, played by Meg Kiley Smith; Joe Keller, played by Mike Boland; and Kate Keller, played by Laurie Dawn, talk about Deever’s new home and why she hasn’t gotten married yet in the play “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller performed on Feb. 10 in Memorial Hall. —Photo by Sara TweetAll My Sons" by Arthur Miller, Chris Keller played by Colton Swibold, Ann Deever played by Meg Kiley Smith, Joe Keller played by Mike Boland, and Kate Keller played by Laurie Dawn on Wednesday night in Memorial Hall.
From left, Chris Keller, played by Colton Swinbold; Ann Deever, played by Meg Kiley Smith; Joe Keller, played by Mike Boland; and Kate Keller, played by Laurie Dawn, talk about Deever’s new home and why she hasn’t gotten married yet in the play “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller performed on Feb. 10 in Memorial Hall. —Photo by Sara TweetAll My Sons” by Arthur Miller, Chris Keller played by Colton Swibold, Ann Deever played by Meg Kiley Smith, Joe Keller played by Mike Boland, and Kate Keller played by Laurie Dawn on Wednesday night in Memorial Hall.

“All My Sons” by Arthur Miller takes place in the back yard of a family called the Kellers in 1947.  This play captures the realism of the ability lying has to tear a family apart.

The Kellers are a family of four. The father and mother are Joe and Kate Keller; they have two sons Chris and Larry.  Larry went missing at war and Chris is back from the war running a manufacturing business with Joe.  Kate is convinced that Larry is still alive even after being missing for three years.  Larry was dating a girl who lived next door named Ann before he went missing, and she has come back to visit Chris with plans to become engaged. 

Chris Keller, played by Colton Swibold, tries to punch his father Joe Keller, played by Mike Boland, when he learns the truth about him during “All My Sons,” on Feb. 10 in Memorial Hall. —Photo by Sara Tweet
Chris Keller, played by Colton Swibold, tries to punch his father Joe Keller, played by Mike Boland, when he learns the truth about him during “All My Sons,” on Feb. 10 in Memorial Hall. —Photo by Sara Tweet

Ann’s father and Joe were partners in a manufacturing business that made parts for planes for the war, before a batch of faulty parts went out and killed 21 pilots.  Ann’s father was jailed and Joe got off free. 

We later find out that Joe actually did have the faulty parts shipped out, which is the reason Kate refuses to believe Larry is dead because she believes if he is dead, Joe’s parts killed him.

I found this play to be entertaining to watch.  It made me wonder what people are like underneath the surface.  Joe was a really great guy who was respected by everyone.  He got along with his neighbors and the kids in the neighborhood, but he killed 21 pilots and put all the blame on someone else to keep his business alive and stay out of prison.  Overall, it was well acted and played out, if this crew comes back for more shows I would definitely recommend going to watch.