Theater J to Present DC Premiere of An Enemy of the People

Theater J will present the DC premiere of Amy Herzog's adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People," running from October 29 through November 23, 2025. The production arrives fresh from its acclaimed Broadway run and will be helmed by director Janos Szasz, whose dreamlike artistic vision promises to bring new depth to this timely work.

An Enemy of the People at Theater J

Herzog's adaptation, which earned a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Adaptation during its Broadway sensation run, excavates the contemporary relevance buried within Ibsen's classic tale. The play examines the profound cost of standing up to power when forces conspire to silence dissent, exploring the reverberating impact of citizens who challenge the status quo for the good of their community. At its heart, the work poses urgent questions about prioritizing public health over economic interests, maintaining integrity in the face of influence, and the personal toll of speaking truth to power.

The story centers on a small-town doctor who takes pride in his standing as an upstanding member of his close-knit community. When he uncovers a catastrophe that threatens the lives of everyone in town, he sounds the alarm without hesitation. What follows shakes him to his core as those wielding power, including his own brother, attempt not merely to silence his warnings but to destroy him entirely.

Director Janos Szasz brings considerable artistic credentials and personal insight to the material. The Hungarian filmmaker and theater director has helmed eleven films, with works screening at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. His theatrical achievements include a Helen Hayes Award nomination for directing "Angels in America" at Arena Stage in 2024. Szasz's connection to the play's themes runs deeper than artistic appreciation. Having fled Hungary in recent years to escape the authoritarian crackdown under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, he brings lived experience to a narrative about resisting oppressive power structures.

Theater J Artistic Director Hayley Finn speaks to the production's significance, saying, "An Enemy of the People is a potent reminder of the power of an individual to speak the truth. Theater J is excited to stage the DC premiere of Amy Herzog's sharp new adaptation, directed by Janos Szasz. With the team of artists assembled to tackle this brilliant work, it should be a performance to remember."

Leading the cast as Dr. Thomas Stockmann is Joey Collins, whose extensive credits include on and off-Broadway productions alongside theatrical luminaries Tracy Letts, Jessica Lange, Richard Thomas, and Jeff Daniels. He is joined by Reese Cowley as Petra Stockmann, Edward Gero as Peter Stockmann, Aaron Bliden as Hovstad, Jeremy Crawford as Billing, Dylan Arredondo as Aslaksen, Nicholas Yenson as Captain Horster, and Stephen Patrick Martin as Morten Kiil.