‘An Enemy of the People’ review: Jeremy Strong and Michael Imperioli duke it out on Broadway
19.03.2024 - 04:09
/ nypost.com
which last played Broadway 12 years ago, is the sort of not-quite-ripped-from-the-headlines play that could be about any fill-in-the-blank issue that’s on the viewer’s mind that day. It’s relevant by design.Exhibiting restraint — well, almost — director Sam Gold avoids making obvious modern parallels to needlessly buttress its potency.
David Zinn’s costumes are 19th century chic, and the firm dots has designed a period set of weathered, white wood and evocative oil lamps.We are very much in Norway, until an unfortunate 10-minute “pause” before the second half, when we are very much at a bar in Murray Hill. More on that daffy diversion later.Who better to take the world’s cruel punches than Strong, who last year wrapped up playing aggrieved Kendall “I’m the eldest boy!” Roy on the TV series “Succession”?As Thomas, Strong looks every inch a martyr, albeit a flawed one who is rich enough that he doesn’t bother learning his own maid’s name.
The actor is sensitive but certain, nice but arrogant, pretentious but likable, quiet but commanding.And the intimate Circle is ideal for Strong’s more focussed and introspective brand of acting.But this “Enemy” is, of course, a battle of two HBO titans: Kendall versus Christopher.Imperioli plays Mayor Peter Stockmann, Thomas’ fiscally conservative brother with an ax to grind. Forever annoyed with his sibling, now he’s furious that his damaging findings, if published in the People’s Messenger newspaper, could jeopardize the booming economy and burden taxpayers.The actor is, in a fraternal way, Strong’s opposite.
The website popstar.one is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can
send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.