Kicking and Screaming

An Enemy of the People

Imagine attending a classic play by one of drama’s most respected and brilliant international playwrights, and finding that the production is as surprisingly au courant as today’s headlines. But that’s the sign of a genius, and from another century, who’s written a great play that’s stood the test of time. And TimeLine Theatre’s brand new version of AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, adapted by Amy Herzog (MARY JANE, 4000 MILES, BELLEVILLE), is so timely that many theatergoers will think that it must’ve been written yesterday. And this extraordinary TimeLine Theatre production effectively drags Henrik Ibsen’s Victorian Era social drama kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century.

In 1882 famed Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen wrote this scathing drama, partially in response to the outrage over his previous play, GHOSTS. That earlier work skewered Victorian society’s hypocritical attitudes and morals. In his new play, Ibsen gave his main character, Dr. Stockman, a speech in which he fires back at his adversaries. He says that most of the ideas that people believe to be time-honored truths actually change over the years; however, when these ideas are challenged, the public becomes angry. In AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, Ibsen addressed a series of new truths: environmental versus economic issues, one’s moral responsibility to point out the dangers that may be lurking and the conflicts that can occur in blowing the whistle on life-threatening situations.

There have been many adaptations of Henrik Ibsen’s play, including a version by American playwright, Arthur Miller. It’s even said that Henrik Ibsen’s idea that the strongest individual is he who stands alone also inspired the blockbuster film, “Jaws.” Amy Herzog’s reimagined and boldly streamlined contemporary translation became a recent high-profile Broadway production. The production starred Jeremy Strong (“Succession”) and Michael Imperioli (“The Sopranos”). Ms. Herzog’s script is laser focused and remarkably clear. It features sharp, modern dialogue and has updated some of Ibsen’s more archaic ideas. Instead, the playwright focuses the spotlight on today’s current struggles with misinformation, or “fake news,” and greed. Ms. Herzog also chose to eliminate or rewrite a few of Ibsen’s minor characters, in order to heighten the emotional tension of the plot.

Ron OJ Parson, one of Chicago’s finest directors, stages and guides this powerful drama about a man who feels it’s his duty to alert the public of governmental corruption and wrongdoing. He’s wisely highlighted as much of the play’s humor as possible, to lighten the mood before the drama turns dark. Ibsen’s original version was a five-act classic but, while stark and poetic, Ms. Herzog’s script is fast and furious. She’s still maintained the same naturalistic feel, and the playwright’s populated the story with eight interesting characters, all of whom have their own agendas. Everyone has his own wants and needs, as well as some very pointed opinions. And, like everyone around us today, the characters sometimes talk over each other and rarely take the time to listen. The dialogue is realistic, often peppered with a bit of profanity and thoughtful observations, peppered with unexpected humor. Mr. Parson guides his actors to create realistic characters, like those in Ibsen’s original, who truly mirror contemporary society. They’re especially truthful and familiar, considering this country’s current scandalous political climate.

TimeLine’s talented cast is led by Will Allan (THE HISTORY BOYS, ASHLAND AVENUE) as Dr. Thomas Stockman. He plays a respected physician and a man of science. A widower with a grown daughter and young son, Dr. Thomas has returned to his beloved hometown with his family. The spa town was founded because of its famous healing waters, and thousands of tourists flock there to take advantage of the hyrdo-medicinal powers. But the good doctor’s noticed an increase in strange illnesses among the townsfolk and the out-of-town tourists who’d visited the spas. He suspects that the area tanneries, owned by his father-in-law, have been draining their waste products into the town’s water, trickling down into the prestigious public baths. But it isn’t until Dr. Stockman sends water samples to a scientific lab that his suspicions are confirmed. He learns that the waters are, indeed, contaminated. The rest of the play focuses on Thomas’ passionate mission to alert the town to this health hazard and rectify this public issue.

To compound Dr. Stockman’s task, his bullheaded brother, Mayor Peter Stockman, played with grit and bullheaded belligerence by Behzad Dabu (BLOOD AND GIFTS, INANA), becomes an outspoken critic of Thomas’ discovery. Peter not only heads up the local government, but has made his fortune with the spas. The editor of the local progressive newspaper is his younger buddy, Hovstad, nicely played by superb actor, Grayson Kennedy, making his TimeLine debut. He brings a quiet calm and a certain likable befuddlement to his character. 

Petra, beautifully portrayed by lovely Campbell Krausen, is Thomas Stockman’s sharply perceptive daughter. She’s a schoolteacher and the object of Hovstad’s romantic interests. Petra’s also the steady head and cool eye of the Stockman home. Thomas’ father-in-law, Morton Kiil, is comically portrayed with gusto and gumption by TimeLine ensemble member, David Parkes. His character’s role in the water poisoning conflict grows more important as the play winds down to its climax.

The rest of this eight-member cast includes Kenneth Hamilton (ROMEO AND JULIET, Chicago Shakespeare), who’s making his TimeLine debut as Billing, Hovstad’s smart editorial assistant; Conservative printer Aslaksen, who is played with dignity and dry humor by Anish Jethmalani (DHABA ON DEVON AVENUE); and a candid and very kindly neighbor, Captain Horster, who’s played with kindness, charity and compassion by Charles Andrew Gardner (BOULEVARD OF BOLD DREAMS). The outspoken townspeople who attend the council meeting are played by all of us, the passionate audience, seated on three sides of the stage.

John Culbert’s sparse, but attractive scenic design begins and ends in the well-appointed Stockman home. He’s centered the action around the dining room table, featuring a chandelier, bookshelves and a study area. Then later, the space easily reconfigures easily to become the town newspaper office. In Act II, the audience finds itself in a large council room, a space filled with chairs where a heated town meeting commences, ending in a violent fracas. The final scene brings us back to Stockman’s home, which has now been attacked and destroyed by the rabble. The production’s costumed with style and period authenticity by Christine Pascual. The expertly tailored look she’s created for each actor’s outfit definitely bespeaks the late 1800’s. And the story’s nicely lit by Brandon Wardell, with an original music and sound design by Andre Pluess.

Ron OJ Parson’s penetrating new production of Amy Herzog’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s drama is powerful. It’s a story stripped down to its most basic and contemporary elements. Mr. Parson poignantly hones in on the story of one concerned citizen, a whistleblower who’s just trying to do the right thing. Although the play’s set in the nineteenth century, the subject seems ripped from today’s headlines. It’s beautifully adapted and professionally produced with forthrightness and honesty. And the talented cast features eight incredibly charismatic actors who bring history to life. 

TimeLine Theatre Company’s exciting, inaugural production in their shining, new theatre, is a bonafide hit. AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE will always be remembered as the magnificent production that celebrated the opening of TimeLine Theatre’s new home. Although it’s a play written in Norway over 140 years ago, Henrik Ibsen’s important drama still feels incredibly contemporary. This story about greed, corruption and a health danger, exposed by a conscientious whistleblower, smacks of the problems that still haunt the current American political climate. TimeLine effectively drags the audience kicking and screaming into a history that never seems to get better. 

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented May 6-June 7 by TimeLine Theatre Company, at their new home at 5035 N. Broadway, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-281-8463 or by going to www.timelinetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos by Brett Beiner Photography