By Chase Johnson
One of the best Theatre Companies in the city doing what they do best–impactful, meaningful, and timely theatrical productions. Cincinnati Shakespeare company’s An Enemy of the People is now on stage. I have to say they have absolutely outdone themselves.
The Story
An Enemy of the People was originally written in 1882 by master playwright Henrik Ibsen. Playwright Amy Herzog has adapted it for more modern times. This timeless story explores themes of Truth, Corruption, Family, Politics, and the conflict between self interest, and doing what is right. The play focuses on the conflict between the Stockmann Brothers; one is a Doctor and the other is the Mayor.
The town has just finished a massive health spa and is about to open to tourists. Doctor Stockmann discovers that the water is heavily polluted with bacteria from a poorly placed pipe that is directly next to an old tannery. Fearing a health risk to the town he tests the water, gets confirmation by a university lab and presents his findings to the local editor of the town paper and a few others who regularly dine at the Doctors home. Eventually Dr. Stockmann is openly mocked by his former friends, betrayed and branded An Enemy of the People. With the final few scenes giving us the audience a hint of the epidemic that he warned them of coming true.
The Performances
Despite being written for 1882 Norway audiences, and being set in roughly that time and place, the dialogue is timely and the performances leave no doubt to the character’s strong personalities and beliefs. Dr. Thomas Stockmann is played skillfully by the talented Brent Vimtrup. He shows the wide array of Stockmann’s emotions from the cheerful and silly to the sorrow and the rage. Also worth noting is Barry Mulholland as Aslaksen the older more moderate representative of the tradesmen and the local printer who while initially is on Dr. Stockmann’s side. He’s a fascinating character and his actor is a delight to watch.
Montez Jenkins Copeland as Hovstad and Patrick Earl Phillips as Billing, the editor and reporter of the local paper in town, show their concern first. Then they twist on the doctor and manage to make Stockmann look like the one trying to ruin the town. Both actors play their parts incredibly well giving believable and entertaining performances. The entire cast is commendable. Jasmine Bouldin as Petra Stockmann, Jim Hopkins as Morten Kiil, Sylvester Little Jr. as Captain Horster and finally Matthew Lewis Johnson as Mayor Peter Stockmann round out the cast. Each provides a dastardly entertaining performance and fills out the town and the family of the tale.
The Production
The set is gorgeous. Jon Savage built a mansion and a moat with seating on stage that is rivaled only by the lights and costumes that Baxter Chambers and Erin Carter, respectively, provide. I greatly enjoyed the notes throughout the program by Dramaturg Tamara Winters. The notes provide historical insight on the world of the play and explain the use of water is both metaphorical and a strong reminder of the town itself.
The great use of the space really puts the audience right next to the action. You do not feel as though you are watching a play. You feel as though you are in the place and I felt as though I was in the hall where Stockmann made his case in person.
The Bottom Line
I say this a lot when reviewing the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, but they earn it every single time. Go see this show. If you see nothing else in the month of September do yourself a favor and go watch this. It is a timely discussion of science versus opinion, versus money. An Enemy of the People runs roughly 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission, but it is highly engaging. It is a great way to end a bit of a personal summer theatre drought, and launch into the 2025-26 Cincinnati Theatre Season.
Get Tickets
An Enemy of the People runs at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company until September 20th. Purchase tickets online with THIS LINK following link or by calling the box office at 513-381-2273.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is at The Otto M. Budig Theater, 1195 Elm Street in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.
