‘Strong’ performances in ‘An Enemy of the People’
When one sits down in the Circle in the Square Theatre for a date night on Broadway, the last thing you would expect to see is the ensemble dumping bucket after bucket of ice over actor Jeremy Strong’s head.
Starring Strong, Michael Imperioli and Victoria Pedretti, “An Enemy of the People” is full of surprises and is well worth checking out. Environmentally-focused patrons will find the show particularly entertaining, as the show is a crusade to tell the truth about pollution. It evokes memories of watching “Erin Brockovich” and reading stories about Steven Donziger.
Seeing as this show is a recent adaptation of an older production, there are clear allusions to the current climate crisis, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Pollution and cover-ups are nothing new, but the language used to describe it was similar to that used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in early-mid 2020, as well as that of Greta Thunberg and her cohort of Generation Z activists.
The plot largely follows a scientist, Thomas Stockmann, who attempts to warn the public about the dangers of a poisoned body of water, only to become ridiculed and shunned by the public. Furthermore, it is a story of betrayal, with Stockmann, played by Strong, struggling to know exactly which people in his life he can trust.
One of the highlights of an all-around great show was Michael Imperioli’s performance. With contrasting previous roles on shows such as “The Sopranos” and “The White Lotus,” he dove deep into pure villainy. With the ability to alternate between smugness and pure rage throughout the show, he clearly proves that he is much more than a television actor.
Although there is no true intermission during the show, there is a brief pause with a clever product placement quite literally coming down from the rafters. Running only two hours long, this pause serves more to introduce a new set piece than to provide a true break from a thrilling plot.
The Circle in the Square Theatre is one of the most unique Broadway venues around, as the layout is more like a basketball arena than anything else. With ascending rows of seats on all four sides of the stage, the presence of each performer was more important than usual. From the leading roles down to the smallest extras, no person was wasted on stage, with constant movement and minute communication through body language.
Despite this unconventional layout, each seat in the house provides an incredible view in its own way. Being so close to some of the most well-known (and perhaps most memed) performers in show business can make for a truly intimate theater experience and one that audiences will never forget.
The venue’s small space meant that stage dooring after the show was an absolute necessity for the evening. Nearly every member of the cast graciously provided their time to interact with and sign the Playbills of dozens of patrons crowded around the doors.
Fans of contemporary social commentary disguised as a historical fable will enjoy “An Enemy of the People.” Full of witty, fast-paced dialogue, tense drama and outright absurd humor, the show is full of surprises and worth the watch. Only on stage until June 16, tickets are limited. You wouldn’t want to miss out on a rare chance to meet a truly talented cast.
