“J B Priestley wrote ‘An Inspector Calls’ after the First World War and like much of his work contains controversial, politically charged messages. It was first performed in September 1945 in the Soviet Union, followed by the UK. ‘An Inspector Calls’ is set in 1912 . . . ” – Oxnotes
Director Jennifer York says “Written by a known Socialist of the time, this play is a scathing critique of the class system, moral complacency, and the consequences of individual actions.” Over the years, we have seen many of Jennifer York’s productions . . . and we always come back from a winner.
The Cast and Crew
Andrew Fry (Arthur Birling) has a face you easily recognize once you’ve seen him in a show or two. We last saw him as Don Kuschner in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” with a group of about 20 of our friends.
Eloisa Cardona (Sybil Birling) has been in two other Dukesbay plays. Other productions she’s been in are at Seattle Rep., Seattle Children’s Theater, Seattle Public Theater, and ACT.
Big Anderson (Sheila Birling) earned her BA in Visual Narrative Design from SPU. She has appeared in several productions. She recently appeared at New Muses in Winnie the Pooh (Piglet). Big has performed in local productions and Princess Cruises and American Immersion Theater.
Ejay Amor (Eric Birling) studied Voice at Cornish College of the Arts and received his BA in Theatre (Acting & Dance) from Western Washington University. Projects that he is most proud of have been Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing and Macbeth in Macbeth for Greenstage Theatre Company. We saw him at Centerstage as Hamza in Ten Acrobats in an Amazing Leap of Faith.
Gunnar Johnson (Gerald Croft) is a local actor, playwright, theatre instructor (ages 7-18) and producer. He has toured with his production company The Salty Siblings, and performed in his folk-punk vaudeville duo, Bowler & Spoons. He is working for his Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Studies. Peg and I would like to thank him for getting the theatre door open for Peg and me at the last rehearsal of An Inspector Calls.
Kareyana Rose Aguon (they/she) (Edna) is beyond excitement for their first show at Dukesbay. They/she received her Associate in Arts from Pierce College in 2020. They/she appeared in Standing Rock and Movement. Kareyana also appeared in the ensemble of Head Over Heels and Ragtime at Lakewood Playhouse in 2022. Peg and I saw both excellent performances.
Mark Peterson (Inspector Goole) Mark has been performing in the Puget Sound area since 2008. Mark also performed on the Dukesbay stage for The Night of the Iguana. He was last seen in Tacoma Little Theatre’s production of One Man, Two Gov’nors, which drew sold out nights of hilarity. Both Don and Peg laughed and laughed and laughed.
Jennifer York (Director) has done yeoman work with this production of this decade of decades story that leaves much to think about in a world of constant changes and concerns over a simple dinner party.
“An Inspector Calls” is a fascinating thriller by J. B. Priestley with an even more mind-boggling ending. Have you ever wondered what the ending meant? Or who the inspector is? The story is engaging and gradually works its way up to the climactic ending. But after reading it, I felt both exhilarated and baffled.” – Roses and Thorns Books.
An Inspector Calls runs through Nov. 10, 2024 at The Dukesbay Theater, 508 Sixth Ave. #10, Tacoma, WA 98402. Shows are Fridays, Saturdays (7:30 pm), and Sundays (2:00 pm). Click here for tickets.
