TimeLine Theatre: An Enemy of the People
Charles Andrew Gardner, Will Allan, Grayson Kennedy
TimeLine Theatre Presents AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE Review - How Loud Do We Have To Be?
TLDR: Feeling like a mirror to today as a doctor is silenced among cries of fake news, An Enemy of the People follows one doctor’s passionate attempts at getting a town to listen. Led by masterful performances, the cast makes us feel exactly the way they want us to from admiration, to frustration, to hopeful.
Campbell Krausen, Will Allan, Grayson Kennedy, Charles Andrew Gardner
TimeLine Is Back
And bringing us another play from a different time period that still strikes a relevant chord to today. We open at the home of Dr. Stockmann, played by Will Allan. He entertains young, progressive thought leaders at his house. He welcomes them into his home alongside Petra, played by Campbell Krausen, his independent daughter helping him run the household. He believes this is the future right in front of him. Free thinkers gathering together to discuss how to make the world a better place. His home is bright and welcoming, the large dining room table surrounded by books tucked into every corner, with a brand new crystal chandelier proudly hanging above them all. It feels like we’re in good company and each one will back Dr. Stockmann’s latest scientific discovery.
The kicker? This is the 19th century and germ theory is still relatively new, meaning Dr. Stockmann’s line of study is considered new and unproven. When he makes this discovery that could impact the town’s main source of income, we’re thrown into a world of politics, blackmail, and private interests deterring public ones in An Enemy of the People
Don't Wear Your Good Pants To The Fight
As the first act sets up Dr. Stockmann and his circle of support, we feel confident this circle will hold and people will believe the science. But as capitalism rears its ugly head, blockade after blockade appears in front of the good doctor trying to stop him from publishing his results.
In the second act, we’re taken to the town hall meeting. Allan as Dr. Stockmann steps off the stage and walks to each section of the audience. We are now part of this last-minute town hall, part of the people gathered to hear this study that impacts our town or perhaps side with the mayor, played by Behzad Dabu, attempting to cause doubt in this new-fangled science.
With each passionate stride around the theater, we wonder how far Dr. Stockmann will go to make sure the people know there are facts being hidden from them. Allan gives a masterful performance throughout it all making us see what a miracle it is that Stockmann still manages to maintain his strength and integrity. His positivity is infectious. His passion is palpable. He’s calm and measured when he is finally allowed to speak, but we understand when his frustration boils over. We fear he may be this close to giving up when it seems everything has been turned against him, but believe him when he says he can see a ray of hope in the morning.
The entire cast does exactly what they set out to do. They make us sympathetic to some, absolutely despise others, and overall make us feel so frustrated we can’t actually stand up and demand the town let Dr. Stockmann read his damn paper!
Behzad Dabu, Anish Jethmalani, Will Allan, Grayson Kennedy
The After Party Thoughts
I wasn’t sold in the beginning of An Enemy of the People. It seemed too positive and even-keeled, setting up our relationships and the conflict of this story. But after watching it all the way through, it all makes sense how they wanted to build up this hope and good feeling all to have it crash down on us. We’re mirroring the journey of Dr. Stockmann, Petra, and his true supporters on an emotional journey.
TimeLine has accomplished its mission with this show of finding a historical play that very much connects to today having been through epidemics and cries of fake news only too recently. An Enemy of the People is explosive, timely, and meaningful. It’s a message to stay strong and depend on your community around you even as you face the haters. For those that are looking for a perfectly balanced, poignant, two act-show, An Enemy of the People would be an excellent fit for you.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Will Allan
When
Now through June 14, 2026
Where
TimeLine Theatre
5035 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
Runtime: 2hrs including an intermission
Tickets
$62+
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 773.281.8463 x6 or through the TimeLine Theatre website
Photos
Brett Beiner Photography
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Behzad Dabu
CAST
Will Allan (Dr. Thomas Stockmann)
Behzad Dabu (Peter Stockmann)
Charles Andrew Gardner (Captain Horster)
Kenneth Hamilton (Billing)
Anish Jethmalani (Aslaksen)
Grayson Kennedy (Hovstad)
Campbell Krausen (Petra Stockmann)
David Parkes (Morten Kiil)
Piper Jean Bailey (Understudy Petra Stockmann)
Matthew Collins (Understudy Dr. Thomas Stockmann)
Nathan Daniel Goldberg (Understudy Hovstad)
Paul Murray (Understudy Aslaksen / Morten Kiil)
Adam Schulmerich (Understudy Peter Stockmann)
Joshua David Thomas (Understudy Billing / Captain Horster)
CREATIVE
Henrik Ibsen (Playwright)
Amy Herzog (Adapter)
Ron OJ Parson (Director)
John Culbert (Scenic Designer)
Christine Pascual (Costume Designer)
Brandon Wardell (Lighting Designer)
Nicolas Bartleson (Properties Designer)
André J. Pluess (Sound Designer)
Maren Robinson (Dramaturg)
Dina Spoerl (Dramaturgical Display Designer)
Olivia Sullam (Stage Manager)
Gianni Carcagno (Assistant Stage Manager)