Play: An Enemy of the People

I usually don't go to plays that I think might be too heavy.

I prefer comedies and musicals, but I was glad I took the time to see Enemy of the People at CENTERSTAGE.

This is Eddie Applefeld, on theatre.

The play, originally written in 1882 by Norwegian Henrik Ibsen, was adapted by playwright Arthur Miller and set in the late 1950s.

Believe it or not, it was not a hit, due in part, as Miller said, 'To the overwhelming Orthodoxy of the time.'

In his introduction to Enemy of the People, Miller wrote "There is one quality in Ibsen that lies at the ver center of his force: It is his insistence that he is going to say what he has to say."

The play, set in Norway, tells the story of the Stockmann family, especially Dion, a doctor who discovers a certain resort area in the town, a resort the town is looking to be a major money maker, has poison water.

In his attempts to warn the town, including putting an article in the local paper, he is met with stern objections by the mayor and eventually the entire town fears it will ruin all of them.

In short, I had a very pleasant night at the theatre.

Before the show I took advantage of Sascha's Restaurant, located on the second level, to have dinner. The chicken curry was very good.

By the way, CENTERSTAGE is the state theatre of Maryland. And this year it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Enemy of the People closes Sunday, but is now playing in the upstairs theatre through Nov. 25, is the completely fictuional, utterly true, final strange tale of Edgar Allan Poe.

For more information, visit the Center Stage website.

This is Eddie Applefeld.