In Part 10 of a series of interviews with the Director and cast of Peace Mountain Theatre Company‘s production of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, meet David Dieudonne.
Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell readers where they may have seen you perform on local stages
Dave: My name is Dave Dieudonne, and I’ve been acting and directing in the DC metro area for the last 18 years. I’m a company member and the Programs Coordinator for Molotov Theatre Group, a horror/suspense theater dedicated to the art of Grand Guignol. I directed their Fringe production of Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom this summer. I have performed at many theaters in the area, including Silver Spring Stage, Rockville Little Theatre, Montgomery Playhouse, and many others. I was last seen at SSS as Kenneth Tynan in Orson’s Shadow. I’m excited to be working with many familiar faces and friends on this production of All My Sons.
Why did you want to appear in this production of All My Sons?
The prospect of working with Laurie yet again was top on my list. This is the 5th show Laurie has directed me in, and I have always admired her professionalism, deep intuition and intelligence, and sensitivity. I love Miller’s work, and have always wanted to tackle this particular piece, but really, it was the prospect of working with so many people I respect and admire.
Tell us about who you play in the show.
I play George Deever, brother of Ann. George is a childhood friend of Chris, both of them served in the war, and both were changed in very specific ways. One of the themes in the piece is about repressed issues being forced to the surface and I believe George is the embodiment of this. He is a representation of what was denied to most people who sacrificed themselves to serve their country, but he also represents the innocence of that pre-war world, when he was a friend to the Kellers. He is the broken promise of the past.
Why is this show relevant for today’s theatregoers?
The necessity for human solidarity is more prevalent than ever. We have a responsibility to each other as much as ourselves. There are so many, everyday, who are affected by the choices and mistakes of others, and we can’t afford to turn a blind eye to that. No one man is bigger than the whole.
What stands out most to you about All My Sons?
Just how perfectly flawed all its characters are- their confused values, flawed ambitions, betrayals, denials and profound disillusionments show how broken these people are, and allows that beautiful humanity to shine through. No one in this play is without culpability, without cruelty or without guilt. I love how high the stakes are- the truth in this play is so very much in the eye of the beholder. It’s almost less a matter of fact than of feeling to these people.
What do you want audiences to take away with them after seeing All My Sons?
That there really is no past that can be confronted with total honesty and no future that does not carry a threat as well as promise. You can’t reject the truth, you can’t deny causality.
All My Sons plays from October 15-25, 2015 at Peace Mountain Theatre Company performing at Congregation Har Shalom – 11510 Falls Road, in Potomac, MD. For tickets, call (301) 299-7087, or purchase them online.
LINKS
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘All My Sons’ at Peace Mountain Theatre Company: Part 1: Director Laurie T. Freed.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘All My Sons’ at Peace Mountain Theatre Company: Part 2: Elyon Topolosky.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘All My Sons’ at Peace Mountain Theatre Company: Part 3: Chris Daileader.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘All My Sons’ at Peace Mountain Theatre Company: Part 4: Michael Sigler.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘All My Sons’ at Peace Mountain Theatre Company: Part 5: Natalie McManus.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘All My Sons’ at Peace Mountain Theatre Company: Part 6: Julie Janson.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘All My Sons’ at Peace Mountain Theatre Company: Part 7: Charlene Sloan.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘All My Sons’ at Peace Mountain Theatre Company: Part 8: Bill Hurlbut.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘All My Sons’ at Peace Mountain Theatre Company: Part 9: Leah Mazade.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘All My Sons’ at Peace Mountain Theatre Company: Part 10: Dave Dieudonne.
