ALL MY SONS Colorblind Casting Controversy

Pat Cerasaro

Arthur Miller's classic 1947 drama ALL MY SONS is preparing for a Broadway revival later this season headlined by Tracy Letts and Annette Bening and the production is embroiled in a casting controversy that has yielded the exit of original director Gregory Mosher. Reportedly, Mosher approached the Arthur Miller Estate with a request for two African American actors to play the roles of Ann and George Deever, two roles traditionally cast with Caucasian actors, a decision which was rejected by Rebecca Miller. Following the impasse, Mosher has exited the production, to be replaced by Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien. 

In a statement released to The New York Post this week, Miller expressed, "I wanted to be sure the concept held water historically and thematically," further stating that the casting choice "was in danger of white-washing the racism of 1947 suburban Ohio." Additionally, Roundabout Theatre Company CEO and executive producer Todd Haimes commented, "They couldn't agree on the specific casting choices that would lead to the richest-possible ALL MY SONS for 2019." 

ALL MY SONS was originally presented on Broadway in 1947, directed by Elia Kazan, followed by major revivals in 1987 (winning a Tony Award for Best Revival Of A Play) and 2008, along with several West End productions in the intervening years since its inception. The 2019 revival is scheduled to begin previews on April 4 at the American Airlines Theatre, with an opening set for April 22. Complete casting for the forthcoming revival is expected to be announced soon.