Early Miller From A Noise Within

In 1947, a novice playwright named Arthur Miller was struggling to learn his craft. Those struggles mercifully succeeded with his first hit play, “All My Sons,” an earnest tragedy about a corrupt factory owner. It’s a labored and dated tome, primarily of interest to academics. But if any theater can inject vitality into Miller’s old-fashioned morality tale, it would be Glendale’s gifted repertory company A Noise Within.

But even this company can’t overcome the play’s clunking construction. They only triumph during the climactic moments when Miller stops playing chess with his characters. Then, actors Steve Weingartner as the enlightened son and Dierk Torsek as the doomed father briefly but brilliantly demonstrate catharsis, while Deborah Strang’s mother observes with compelling despair.

So expect the expected and this “All My Sons” won’t disappoint.

* “All My Sons,” A Noise Within, 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale. In repertory with two other productions. Call for dates/times. Ends May 1. $13-$15. (818) 546-1924. Running time: 2 hours.