Playwright Amy Herzog has given us her version of Ibsen’s masterful play of the same name that remains set in late 19th Century Norway; but it is as though it was first conceived yesterday because its characters have been given dialog by Herzog that speaks directly to late 20th century audiences; and the conflicts it explores forcefully engage us.
Michael Imperioli (Emilio Madrid)
The main character, Dr. Thomas Stockmann, remains the highly respected man of science whose family includes his bright and charming daughter Petra and his brother Peter who is the town’s Mayor. When the Dr. discovers, after repeated testing, that the town’s water supply is dangerously contaminated with unseen bacteria that can kill, he plans to immediately to publish the news. The scenes that follow become more and more involved with the decision to publish or not. At first the local liberals are in agreement that the doctor’s findings should be shared, but one by one in riveting confrontational scenes, they join his brother, the Mayor, until The doctor has become a powerful villain to them all–the enemy of the people.
Victoria Pedretti (Emilio Madrid)
This could have emerged as melodrama, but with the insight of Herzog’s dialog as implemented by her husband’s (Sam Gold) fluid direction, it rises to the level of first rate drama. It is equally served by an excellent cast headed by Jeremy Strong as Dr. Thomas, Michael Imperioli as his brother, and Victoria Pedretti as his daughter. They lead a group of relatives and friends who slowly put conviction aside in favor of more practical compromises. The first 90 minutes of this two hour exploration of character are followed by a ten minute insurrection that brings the play to its final conclusion. It’s worth waiting for.
Jeremy Strong (Emilio Madrid)
I’ve always been attracted to characters on stage who are larger than life–those who dare to fight complacency and speak from the heart. It’s from the years of theatre going that I recall and revere such disparate characters as Molly Brown who “ain’t down yet!” which gives her the strength to save folks on the sinking Titanic or Dolly Levi who wants to live a fuller life “before the parade passes by, ”or West Side lad Tony Wyzeck who senses “Somethin’s Comin’!” to brighten his future. Include the man from La Mancha who yearns to “dream the impossible dream.” They are all joined by others of equal or greater passion in musicals and even in comedies (like Harvey who is probably certifiable, but even he has found a way to find joy until he can ”shake off this mortal coil.”) Amy Herzog’s “Dr. Thomas Stockmann” can now become one of them.