What I liked
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What I didn't like
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My overall impression
“All American” is a very clever and poignant play about a horrific, powder keg that is ready to explode and the healing power of time and forgiveness.
The play is a new offering written and produced by Lynn Grant Beck and directed by Michael Strauss. It is currently showing at the McCadden Theatre as part of this year’s, Hollywood Fringe Festival.
The play introduces two similar families, each with two impressionable teens, each simultaneously inhabiting the same house, although from two different time periods, one from 1971 and the other 2020.
Twilight zone alert – because of the extreme chaos that is occurring in the lives of these two families the time continuum is fractured and the house that they both share becomes a time travel portal that seemingly opens and closes at will, catapulting them back and forth between eras.
The time mash ups are cleverly presented thru the use of each period’s unique language, cultural activities, food, music, and of course, the turbulent historical unrest of Vietnam era and the modern mayhem of today’s, uniquely american, gun violent culture.
Given the underlining darkness, anger and discontent each family is struggling with in their respective times, moments of relief, shared resolve and reconciliation emerge with each interaction by the time traveling families.
The entire acting ensemble give solid performances throughout, with notable stand outs, Cameron Blackman, as “Chase,” the modern day, isolated teen influenced by violent online extremists and Dan Pousson, doing double acting duties as “Hank,” the 70’s war torn combat vet and “Karl,” a modern day, mentally troubled, psych patient.
“All American” is not only an original story presented in a very unique way, but it’s undeniable strength is driven home to its audience by the relevance of it’s timely message.
One post note:
I watched the play with my own impressionable, teenage son.
He was as riveted as I was from the beginning to the climatic, surprise ending.
And to my pleasant surprise, our ride home was filled with enlightening and thought provoking conversation about the themes of the play and how they applied to our current everyday lives.
