Jeremy Strong and Michael Imperioli are perfectly cast as the two conflicting brothers.  They bring their considerable resumes to the stage and really do battle with each other.  It is clear they are are loving their time on the stage.  I don’t feel a need to rehash the plot of Enemy of the People and its tale of political intrigue as a town’s polluted water supply threatens to destroy its sole means of financial support for the town.  Do you side with the doctor who rightly wants to close the baths due to its health risk – or side with the the brother/mayor and the rest of the town who relies on the baths for income? Bankruptcy or Disease?   The debate is fierce in the play.  Act One is the traditional section of the play.

As soon as Act One is over, the house lights come on and they immediately start pouring small glasses of wine for every audience member in the theater. It is amazing how quickly an audience can react to something being poured out for free. Lines formed instantly and everybody got so excited for a shot glass of wine. After everyone got their small glass of wine, then with lights on, they begin the argument in front of the “town”” where the doctor and the mayor debated the decision to close the baths using the audience as the townspeople.  I was so afraid that they were going to actively involve the audience, but was relieved it was still a scripted event.  The final scene of the play showed the aftermath of the debate and it was a powerful conclusion to the play.  Ibsen knew that all of his thesis plays needed to have some good ol’ melodrama behind them and he certainly had some for Enemy of the People.  This play had a huge bite – – made even more relevant in today’s political climate of trusting – or NOT trusting the common man to act for the common good.