An Enemy of the People at Theater for the New City

Theater for the New City (Executive Director, Crystal Field) presents

AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
by Henrik Ibsen

Duse Productions LLC

Originally produced as an Equity Approved Showcase in January–February 2026, this production now premieres at a larger venue following strong audience response and growing demand.

This staging of An Enemy of the People is a text-forward, ensemble-driven production rooted directly in Henrik Ibsen’s 1897 Norwegian second edition (the final version approved by the playwright).

A new English translation was created specifically for this production. Punctuation, capitalization, and most stage directions have been removed, allowing the language to move as a continuous flow and placing responsibility for rhythm and meaning in the actors’ listening and interaction rather than on the page.

In a small town that prospers from its celebrated public baths, Dr. Tomas Stockmann discovers that the water is contaminated. When he attempts to warn the public, he finds himself opposed by political interests, economic pressure, and the shifting will of the majority.

As truth becomes inconvenient, the play asks: Who benefits from silence? And what does it cost to speak honestly?