Review: ‘Enemy of the People’ at Odyssey Theatre
- Anita W. Harris
- 9 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Some stories remain relevant across centuries. Henrik Ibsen’s 1882 “An Enemy of the People” — portraying the incendiary intersection of politics, economics and personal interest — is one such play that forces us to question where we stand.
Bart DeLorenzo’s new adaptation at the Odyssey Theatre brings home the play’s point in a vibrant, modern take. It also resonates with our current national zeitgeist: What is the cost to not only question whether our national waters are poisoned, but try to do something about it?
In DeLorenzo’s “Enemy of the People,” a town’s spring-water literally is poisoned, and possibly even its tap water, according to its highest-ranking doctor, Tom Stockmann (Jay Paulson). Fortunately, Tom is the kind of guy who wants to do something about it, namely sound the alarm publicly.
But his brother Peter (Jason McBeth) is mayor and knows that if word got out, it would mean economic collapse for the town, which depends on those spring waters for its lucrative tourist resorts. Moreover, fixing the problem — if it exists — would itself cost more in time and money than it might be worth.
Meanwhile, newspaper editor Hudson (DeJuan Christopher) has his own concerns about publishing Tom’s report, with the paper — ironically called Voice of the People — economically dependent on wealthy investor Anna (Lauren Campedelli), who has political ties.
On top of everything, Tom’s father-in-law Martin (Dennis Dun) formerly owned the tannery that may have contributed to polluting the water. And Tom’s adjunct-professor wife Kate (Cara Mitsuko) just wants to start a family, but how can they with Tom so invested in a cause that’s threatening their jobs, and possibly their persons?
DeLorenzo’s adaptation delivers Ibsen’s story engagingly and thoughtfully, pitting the doctor’s scientific certainty (bordering on zealotry) against his politician brother’s stubborn yet understandable reluctance to cause unnecessary fear and economic hardship for the townspeople.
The climax of the play is a town meeting where lights (designed by W. Alejandro Melendez) ingeniously go up on the audience, implicating us in the debate. Peter and Anna try to assure us townspeople that all is okay while Tom edges them away from the microphone in revealing his truth about the water.
Tom makes an incredibly persuasive case, thanks to DeLorenzo’s writing and Paulson’s clear and inflected delivery, absolutely immersed in his character’s conviction not only about the springs but about what we the people are willing to hear, believe and do. Tom’s speech alone is worth the price of admission of this play and will compel you to consider where you stand on a lot of things.
Unfortunately, getting carried away in the heat of the moment, Tom goes a step too far in criticizing the voting public, those regrettable words captured by Hudson and politically ambitious reporter Billing (Clay Hollander) on their phones, with clips soon going viral and affecting Tom and his wife very personally.
As directed by DeLorenzo, the play is well paced after a low-key start, with Paulson standing out among the solid cast in his key role. Frederica Nascimento’s aesthetic set design provides a fitting backdrop, not only depicting the Stockmanns' warm home but — in a way that becomes increasingly clear as the play progresses — abstractly evoking the natural sources of the spring water.
“Enemy of the People” is an interesting and enjoyable play you won’t regret seeing, whether or not you believe we face a public crisis of our own. It’s a potent reminder that we all have a part to play in our society, and that no matter what action you take — or don’t take — be aware of the cost.
“Enemy of the People” continues through Sept. 27 at the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West Los Angeles, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $38 or $30 for seniors. For tickets and information, call the box office at 310-477-2055 or visit OdysseyTheatre.com. Run time is 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.
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