By Marilyn Jozwik
JB Priestley is not the least bit subtle about his messages in his morality play “An Inspector Calls,” being presented by Sunset Playhouse through June 19.
In the show, the Inspector (Mark Neufang) rattles off nuggets regarding civil behavior to this well-to-do British family. “Public men have their responsibilities as well as their privileges,” he tells Arthur Birling (Martin Yates), a successful businessman and respected citizen. “We don’t live alone; we are responsible for one another,” the inspector tells the family, which includes Birling, his wife Sybil (Jenny Kozak), daughter Sheila (Miranda Hunt) and her intended, Gerald (Ryan Zierk), and son Eric (Hans Pfrang). The maid (Karolyn Wolkos)) appears occasionally.
Though set in in 1912 England, the show’s message is timeless and important, especially today when so much of our country is divided into camps.
But don’t think this show is just a long-winded sermon. Instead, it is compelling and dramatic, without a dull moment.
The family in Priestley’s play is not unlike those of today in so many ways, making it easy for playgoers to relate. Arthur Birling is arrogant and pompous, spouting his theories of the day, which include that there will be no war (England was two years away from WWI), there will be peace for decades (there were two world wars in less than 30 years), they’re building unsinkable ships (think Titanic). Everyone knows an Arthur Birling.
The ensemble cast of “An Inspector Calls” concludes the show in tableau fashion. Pictured from left are the Maid (Karolyn Wolkos), Sybil Birling (Jenny Kozek), Arthur Birling (Martin Yates), the Inspector (Mark Neufang), Sheila Birling (Miranda Hunt, Eric Birling (Hans Pfrang) and Gerald Croft (Ryan Zierk).
The Birlings are celebrating a special family event when the Inspector arrives with some disturbing news to derail the happy day. During his interrogation, secrets are revealed and this very comfortable, proper family is suddenly confronted with improprieties and most uncomfortable information about each other.
It would be really easy for this show to slide off the rails with weak characterizations of these very strong characters. If any one of them should lose credibility, the play would slip into implausibility. As it is, the show is a taut thriller with excellent performances eliciting audible reactions from the audience, which is drawn into this family drama by the compelling layers of revelations.
Under Carol Dolphin’s direction, this cast fulfills their characters’ duties wonderfully, conveying a certain sense of entitlement in each, especially the older generation. There were a few dialogue miscues on opening night, which didn’t affect the overall show.
Neufang as the enigmatic inspector is the consummate grill master, vexing the family with his intrusions and rapid-fire questioning. Family members, whose wealth and positions in the community have sheltered them from ever questioning their moral responsibilities, call him “rude, peculiar and suspicious” and having a manner that is “severe and confident.” Arthur Birling rebukes him, saying, “I don’t like your tone.” Neufang’s performance checks off all the boxes as he confidently circles the room, targeting each family member. Like a cunning creature, Neufang’s Inspector stalks the unsuspecting family, who haughtily resent his spoiling their day even while disturbing character flaws are revealed. Neufang’s total command of the Inspector role is the fulcrum that gives the rest of the cast firm footing for their roles.
Sybil and Arthur Birling (Jenny Kozek and Martin Yates) prepare to toast their daughter Sheila (Miranda Hunt) and her intended Gerald Croft (Ryan Zierk) in a scene from Sunset Playhouse’s “An Inspector Calls.”
I especially enjoyed the performances of the younger characters in the cast, including Hunt’s Sheila and Zierk as her beau, Gerald. Their exchanges are lively and passionate, sometimes heated as facades of respectability begin to crumble. There is a really nice connection between the two and other characters that helps make the family so relatable.
As Eric, Pfrang lurks in the background until he gets trapped in the Inspector’s web. Pfrang really shines in the final scenes in which the Birlings reflect in very different ways on the faults revealed by the Inspector.
Yates’ Arthur maintains a haughty, indignant attitude throughout, going toe-to-toe with the Inspector as he defends himself. Kozek as his wife Sybil, mirrors her husband in her displays of self-importance, and has a tone and confident posture befitting a woman of her status.
All characters handle their British accents nicely, and Michael Talaska’s set design and Matt Carr’s set construction create the Birlings’ well-appointed home convincingly.
If you go:
Who: Sunset Playhouse
What: “An Inspector Calls”
When: Through June 19
Where: 800 Elm Grove Road, Elm Grove
Tickets/Info: 262-782-4430