ICT theatergoers will have the opportunity to experience the work of one of America’s greatest playwrights when “All My Sons” is performed May 29 through June 13 at the IAC Dupree Theater.
All My Sons won Tony Awards for Arthur Miller for Best Author and Elia Kazan for Best Director when it debuted on Broadway in 1947. Restaged in 1987, All My Sons earned the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. A 2008 Broadway revival starring John Lithgow, Diana Weist, and Katie Holmes also received critical acclaim.
Inspired by a true story, the play deals with how business conducted without ethics can destroy the lives of others. Joe Keller becomes a successful businessman by selling defective airplane parts to the U.S. government that result in the deaths of World War II servicemen and the imprisonment of his business partner. The personal stories constructed to cover up loss and guilt eventually unravel, forcing all to confront the truth.
Diane Truitt plays Kate Keller; Michael McNiel is Joe Keller. Photo by Mike Morgan.
ICT MainStage has assembled a stellar cast of talent to perform one of the most powerful works in the American theater. Stage favorite Michael McNiel takes the part of Joe Keller, whose pursuit of success destroys the domestic tranquility he worked hard to achieve. Diane Truitt makes her longawaited return to ICT as Joe’s wife, Kate, who believes in the eventual appearance of their son Larry, missing in action during wartime service.
Theater talent Jordan Willis is back at ICT in the role of Keller’s younger son, Chris, a service veteran who desires to marry his missing brother’s girlfriend. Catherine DuBord adds to her bountiful stage credits the role of Ann Deever, Larry’s girlfriend and the daughter of Joe’s imprisoned former business partner.
Stage and screen vet Brad Stephens is also back at ICT as Ann’s brother George Deever. Theater pro Fred Patchen makes his ICT debut as Dr. Jim Bayliss, family friend of the Kellers. Popular stage talent Diana Gonzalez takes the part of Sue, wife of Dr. Bayliss and a Keller family friend.
Paul Arnold steps out from behind his familiar stage lighting role in his debut as Frank Lubey, who keeps alive the belief in Larry’s eventual return home. Promising theater student Lyzz Broskey makes a memorable ICT debut as Lydia Lubey, Frank’s wife. Taking his first public stage bows is third grader Drew Smith as Bert, a neighborhood boy and frequent visitor to the Keller home.
Marco E. Salinas is again in the ICT MainStage director’s chair, bringing numerous director credits and sound design awards with him. Much-in-demand set designer Wade Giampa and costume designer Suzi Cranford work their magic at ICT for a third time.
Column Award winner Sam Nance again adds his lighting design genius to an ICT production and is joined by all-around ICT vet Fernando Lara as property designer. ICT MainStage favorite Tom Ortiz is back to stage manage the production, while Jo Anne Hull is again in charge of set dressing. ICT MainStage vets Evelyn G. Hall, Mary Bongfeldt, and Binnie Tomaro handle producer responsibilities.
A powerful theater experience, All My Sons is a play not to be missed. For ticket information and reservations, call (972) 252-2787 or go on-line at www.irvingtheatre.org.
Performances are Fri. and Sat. May 29, 30 and June 5, 6, 12, 13, at 8 00p.m. Thursday, June 4, 11, at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 7 at 2:30 pm. at the Dupree Theater, Irving Arts Center 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving. Tickets prices are Thursday: Adults $15 and Seniors/Students $13. Friday – Sunday: Adults $18 and Seniors/Students $16. Student Rush – $5 cash 5 minutes before curtain if seats are available.
— The Irving Journal, May 26, 2009
The final curtain descends on To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday this Saturday at the Mesquite Arts Center. The Michael Brady play, under the direction of Brad Stephens, has moved hundreds to laughter and tears since opening on April 10th. The critically acclaimed production is the second in Mesquite Community Theatre’s highly successful 25th Anniversary Season.
Only three more shows remain 
Mesquite Community Theatre continues their Silver Anniversary season with their second production, To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday, opening tonight at the Mesquite Arts Center. The Michael Brady play is my D/FW stage directing debut. Thursday’s preview audience responded very favorably with laughter and tears in all the right places. My cast, as always, exceeded my expectations and truly delivered heartfelt performances. I could not be more proud!
Friday, April 10, 2009 at 8 PM
All performances are held in the BLACK BOX THEATER at the Mesquite Arts Center (MAC), 1527 N Galloway Avenue in Mesquite, Texas. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and S.T.A.G.E. members, and $8 for children 2-6 years old. Cash or check only, please. No credit or debit cards accepted.
My good friend, Lois Sheeler, at Mesquite Community Theatre informs me that I have recieved MCT’s 2008 People’s Choice Award for my performance as Chris Keller in 
THIS WEEK, Mesquite Community Theatre announced auditions for their upcoming production of To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday by Michael Brady. Directed by Brad Stephens, auditions will be held over two evenings in February at the Mesquite Arts Center.
Brad Stephens 