When An Enemy Of The People was announced, we all knew the Jeremy Strong and Michael Imperioli led production of the Amy Herzog adapted Henrik Ibsen classic was going to be mind-blowing, but somehow expectations were shattered (an adjective fit for the climax of this revival production) when the show opened on March 18, 2024.
Here are our top three (3) reasons why An Enemy of The People more than deserves its Broadway extension.
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Jeremy Strong & Michael Imperioli.
Quite the obvious, it stars two Emmy winners for equally iconic roles and I could write an entire article about each of these outstanding performances, which are both gorgeous and poignant in their own rights. Strong plays Dr. Thomas Stockmann, a widowed man who is positioned as the town’s chief physician and a social optimist. One of Thomas’s defining characteristics is that he follows his moral compass, which arguably borders on self-perceived moral righteousness. Thomas learns of toxic environmental issues surrounding the town’s spa – the main source of tourism and income for the town and as a result, he does everything in his power to do what he feels is right, which is to take steps towards notifying the community and rectifying the issue, regardless of the potential financial & social impact.
Strong’s performance takes the audience on a journey from intellectual spark to intense argument, to a man’s weakest moments – quite literally down to his knees. And there is truly no better actor to star opposite Strong than the iconic Michael Imperioli. Imperioli plays Peter Stockmann, Thomas’s older brother and also the town’s mayor. Peter’s journey is the opposite of Thomas’s, as he is trying to maintain the town’s reputation, financial status and ensure a high quality of life for those living in his community. Peter’s pragmatic thinking and sternness counters his brother in every way imaginable. Imperioli’s performance is dynamic – he’s forceful, a bit frightening, even funny. His ability to bring a hint of humor to even the most dramatic of scenes by using physicality is remarkable. The whole cast was fantastic, but it is worth rushing to the box office for these two – seeing them on stage is an experience that should not be missed.
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Got a ticket? You’re in the show!
Sam Gold’s direction and impeccable use of staging utilize the in-the-round format in a way that’s immersive and experiential. Halfway through the first act you realize you’re not watching a play, you’re an impacted community member. Your thoughts, your reactions, your presence – they matter deeply. Both for the energy of the show, but also for the purpose of the larger allegorical message being showcased. This show is an interactive experience. For instance, don’t expect a traditional intermission, but rather an invitation to further enhance your relationship to the piece and to the culture of 1882 coastal Norway. I can’t say I was expecting to see a Scandinavian brand integration, but The Circle In The Square Theatre was instantly transformed into a European shandy bar. Audience members were invited to come up and have a free drink, they were even serenaded with drinking songs by members of the cast – and who knows, you may or may not find yourself in a bar mob halfway through Act II.
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Today’s Relevance
There are few pieces written nearly 150 years ago that can hold relevance today in ways that arguably feel more prevalent now than ever before. AndIn a time where everything is so polarized, there are few pieces that can truly shine a light on competing perspectives and everything in between. An Enemy of The People does that extremely well – paints caricatures of archetypes while challenging perspectives, assumptions, perceptions. Of course there are the glaring themes at the forefront of the play – greed vs. social good, science vs. belief, but there are other themes explored that are worthy of nothing. For instance, the dichotomy behind a mob mentality and how swiftly that can snowball, which is a common phenomenon seen throughout history. Among others, the perils of abstention and indecision (as seen by Caleb Eberhardt’s character) as well as the corruption and power of the media. Some things really haven’t changed since 1882.
An Enemy of The People is anything but an enemy for the theatre scene right now. Due to popular demand, the production was extended a week and will close on June 23, 2024 – hopefully with some awards in hand.
For more information, visit: https://anenemyofthepeopleplay.com.
