Poisoned Waters

An Enemy of the People – Goodman Theatre

 

In 1882 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 enemies. 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 economical 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 Arthur Miller. It’s even said that the playwright’s idea that the strongest individual is he who stands alone also inspired the blockbuster film, “Jaws.” Goodman Theatre’s Artistic Director Robert Falls has created his own adaptation, based upon a translation by Eleanor Marx-Aveling.

Falls directs his own script, a drama about a man who feels it’s his duty to inform the public of governmental corruption and wrongdoing. Mr. Falls’ drama is much sparser than Ibsen’s original five-act classic but, while stark and poetic, the script still maintains the same naturalistic feel. It’s peopled with interesting characters, all of whom have their own agendas. They each have needs and wants and very sharp opinions; like everyone around us, they sometimes talk over each other but rarely take the time to listen. The play’s dialogue is realistic and peppered with profanity, thoughtful observations and a great deal of unexpected humor. Falls’ characters, like those in Ibsen’s original, mirror contemporary society, and are especially meaningful and familiar considering America’s current scandalous political climate.

Mr. Falls has guided this new adaptation with stark honesty and great dignity. Todd Rosenthal’s sprawling, expressionistic scenic design is sometimes masked between scenes by a beautiful, stylish act curtain that features a painting of the characters. His set is dominated by a gigantic, movable steel and glass structure that’s suspended high above the Stockman home; then later it becomes an office wall all at the newspaper office. There are large, colorful Scandinavian travel posters that frame the first scene and the rooms are sparsely decorated with stiff, formal furnishings. In the second act, the audience finds itself in a large council room, a space filled with chairs and dozens of extras. A heated town meeting soon 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 talented cast is led by Philip Earl Johnson as Dr. Thomas Stockman. He plays a doctor and scientist who’s returned to his beloved hometown with his new wife and family. There he discovers that the area rawhide tanneries have been draining their waste products into the water of the town’s prestigious public baths. He has noticed an increase in strange illnesses among some townsfolk and many out-of-town tourists who’d visited the spas. But it isn’t until Stockman sends soil and water samples to another scientist that his suspicions are confirmed. 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 Stockman’s task, Mayor Peter Stockman, played with grit and bullheaded belligerence by Scott Jaeck, is his outspoken brother. Peter not only heads up the local government, but has made his fortune owning the spas. The editor of the local progressive newspaper is his younger buddy, Hovstad. The newspaperman’s nicely played by superb actor, Aubrey Deeker Hernandez. He brings a quiet calm and a certain likable befuddlement to his character. Thomas Stockman’s sharp, perceptive wife Katherine is played to perfection by Lanise Antoine Shelley. She’s the steady head, cool eye and the air of sophistication in the Stockman home. Katherine’s father, Morton Kiil, is portrayed with gusto and gumption by Chicago favorite, David Darlow; his role in the water poisoning conflict grows more important as the play winds down to its climax.

The rest of this large cast includes Jesse Bhamrah as Billing, Hovstad’s smart editorial assistant; Rebecca Hurd as Stockman’s smart, eldest child Petra, a schoolteacher and the object of Hovstad’s romantic interests. Conservative printer Aslaksen is played with dignity and dry humor by Allen Gilmore and a candid, very drunk townsperson at the council meeting is played with expert comic timing by the always wonderful Larry Neumann, Jr. Some of the other outspoken townsfolk at the town meeting are played by Carley Cornelius, Arya Daire, Guy Massey and Roderick Peeples.

Robert Falls’ world premiere is a stripped down, contemporary adaptation of Ibsen’s drama about a whistleblowing individual, trying to do the right thing. The subject could’ve actually been ripped from today’s headlines. It’s written and directed with forthrightness and honesty by Mr. Falls and features a cast of incredibly strong, gifted and charismatic actors. Costumed beautifully by Ana Kuzmani, with just a suggestion of the Scandinavian look of the late 1800’s, lit by Robert Wierzel and with an original score and sound design by Richard Woodbury, this is one solid production. It smacks of so much that’s wrong with the current national administration.

Chicago theatre is well-known for its unflinching grittiness and a refusal to turn away from the truth. This production’s focus on a government that puts its own financial gain over the health, welfare and safety of its constituents is brave. It’s an exquisite production that’ll be remembered for bringing Ibsen’s renowned classic, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

 

Presented March 10-April 15 in the Albert Theatre by the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 312-443-3800 or by going to www.GoodmanTheatre.org/Enemy.

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