Southeastern theatre presented its production of Arthur Miller’s 1947 drama, “All My Sons,” to a near sold out crowd in the Vonnie Borden theatre.

The play, performed Oct. 12 through Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m., explored the themes of greed, family and loyalty through the depiction of the Keller family’s ability to deal with a scandal that happened during World War II.

“I’ve loved ‘All My Sons’ for the longest time; it’s one of my favorite Miller plays,” said Director Chad Winters. “It’s still very relevant today because money, money, money is still a major issue.”

The play, based on a true story, begins on a Sunday morning at the Keller’s house in 1946. It tells the story of Joe Keller, a 60-year-old businessman who was implicated in selling faulty aircraft parts to the United States Air Force.

He is exonerated, but his former friend and neighbor, Steve Deever, ends up taking the fall and serving jail time. Joe’s neighbors never really believe he is innocent. It is the exploration of this scandal that moves the play along. Chris Keller, Joe’s son, and the voice of morality in the play, must deal with his father and the painful emotions his possible guilt brings up.

Terrell Robinson Jr., a junior communication major and the actor who played Joe Keller onstage, believes that Keller is a complex character who should leave the audience questioning their emotions.

“If you get past him killing 21 pilots, he’s actually an extremely likeable guy,” Robinson said. “In the first act, he’s just goofy Uncle Joe having a good time. The second act starts to get a lot heavier.”

The set featured a side view of the Keller’s two story house with windows and their front yard. Most of the play’s action takes place in the yard, but the set was constructed in order to allow the audience to see what was happening inside the house.

“Arthur Miller is really specific in what he wanted for his set, and we took to him on that and went out of the box with it,” said Scenic Designer Amanda Klipsch, a senior majoring in general studies.

The cast featured 10 actors who delivered performances full of emotion and passion that engaged the audience emotionally.

“I could feel what the actors were feeling,” said Jinnie Stewart, a senior majoring in Spanish education and English education. “Everything seemed very real and it portrayed life superbly.”

Winters expressed his excitement at the turnout, as well as the large student support that the play has received. Additionally, he hoped the audience left the theatre thinking about how the themes apply to their lives.

“I think the biggest thing is to never become complacent with the way society is,” said Winters. “The choices that we make for the American Dream and success; where do you draw the line and keep yourself from doing something that could be immoral?”

Southeastern theatre will be onstage again for their production of James Sherman’s “Mr. 80%”  directed by Megan Cleveland, which will run from Nov. 16 to Nov. 19. For more information, visit Southeastern theatre’s website by searching “theatre” on www.selu.edu.