Arthur Miller's wartime drama All My Sons isn't exactly one of his most popular or well-known plays.

But to No Refund Theatre director Hillary Cook (senior-art education), the World War II period piece is something that most thespians dream about.

"It's one of those plays that grabs you at once," Cook said. "As an actor, you want to do it immediately."

And whether it's the play's relevant wartime content or amusing period slang that draws audiences, Cook is sure students will also enjoy the No Refund Theatre's own production of All of My Sons tomorrow and Saturday at 8 p.m. in 111 Forum.

A family drama set during WWII, All My Sons focuses on the complex relationship between a mother, her three sons and the people whose lives they have affected.

"It brings up a lot of issues of how war can tear apart a family," Cook said. "I think there's a lot in this play that is very relevant right now."

To start with, there is Jon Kroberger (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) who plays Chris, a son returning home from war, faced with the decision of how he should spend the rest of his life.

"My character's deciding if he should offer to marry his brother's girlfriend," Kroberger said. "[Chris's brother] has been missing in action for three years, and everyone thinks that he's dead, except for my mother."

As one of the play's main characters, Kroberger said Chris is key in bringing together some of the story's subplots.

"Chris is really a catalyst for the situations that happen around him," Kroberger said.

However, while Chris' character drives many of the play's side stories, the actions of his mother, played by Kate Donohue (senior-English), fuel many of these situations.

Donohue said her character's actions are immersed in denial of her son's disappearance and often driven by a profound love for her character's family.

"She chooses to ignore the truth because she thinks it keeps her safe," Donohue said. "She hides from reality and does dishonest things; however, she's shortsighted by her love."

Cook added that Donohue's character hints at a larger social theme that's dominant throughout All My Sons.

"One of the many questions it asks is: Where do you draw the line between protecting yourself and your family?" she said.

Cook reiterated that she feels the thematic content of All My Sons holds contemporary relevance to some issues many students may be faced with today.

"I think that it's incredibly relevant," Cook said. "It shows how much war impacts what's going on with the rest of our lives."

That said, Cook just wants people to come and enjoy the show as much as she enjoyed directing it.

"It's a beautiful play, and I hope people come out to see it and are able to appreciate it as much as we did," she said.