U.S. Premiere of David Harrower's Version of PUBLIC ENEMY Begins Tonight at The Pearl

The Pearl Theatre Company will present the U.S. Premiere of Henrik Ibsen's Public Enemy in a version by internationally acclaimEd Scottish playwright David Harrower. Directed by the Pearl's Artistic Director Hal Brooks, the production will run from tonight, September 29, through October 29.

Ibsen's parable of the collision of truth and politics in the public sphere takes on new immediacy in the punchy and raw adaptation from the playwright behind Broadway's critically acclaimed Blackbird. When Dr. Stockmann finds that the town's tourist-friendly baths contain lethal levels of toxins, he is praised for his discovery until the town realizes how much remedying the problem will cost them, and quickly finds his friends and neighbors poisoned against him.

In Ibsen's Public Enemy, better know as An Enemy of the People, we find a society that values comfort over safety, wealth over equality and publicity over truth. Harrower's town is similarly motivated by self-preservation and survival, and this mob-mentality leads people in a direction that is paradoxically at their own expense. Director Brooks places his Stockmann in a timeless place, drawing subtle parallels with the recent primary campaign, and the water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan.

On the play, Brooks says, "When I read Harrower's lean adaptation, I was stunned. His writing allows Stockmann to go for the jugular, to confront the hypocrisies of his town, and root out the corruption inherent in its local politics. Ultimately, my approach is to show that there is a price for excessive adherence to principle - and there's a greater price for society in ignoring one's truer ideals."

The cast of Public Enemy includes Jimonn Cole, Dominic Cuskern, Arielle Goldman, Guiesseppe Jones, John Keating, Alex Purcell, Carol Schultz, Nilaja Sun, Robbie Tann, Alex Haynes, and David Vino.

The creative team includes Harry Feiner (Scenic Design), Barbara A. Bell (Costume Design), Marika Kent (Lighting Design), Jane Shaw (Sound Design) and Marci Skolnick (Production Stage Manager).

Performances of Public Enemy will take place tonight, September 29, through October 29 at The Pearl Theatre (555 West 42nd Street, NYC). Critics are welcome as of Thursday September 29th for an official opening on Sunday October 9th. Tickets are $59 regular, $79 premium ($49 previews, $69 previews premium, $20 Student Rush) and can be purchased by visiting pearltheatre.org or calling 212.563.9261.

David Harrower is an internationally acclaimEd Scottish playwright who currently lives and works in Glasgow. Having debuted on Broadway in 2007 and made an equally strong return this year with Jeff Daniels returning in the same role, this version of Ibsen's classic will be Harrower's second work to premiere in the U.S. David is currently working on a screenplay of BLACKBIRD for Jean Douminian Productions, WHITE MALE HEART for Brocken Spectre/Samson Films, and is also developing an original series idea for Ecosse/BBC Scotland.

Previous work includes Blackbird (Edinburgh International Festival, West End, Manhattan Theatre Club and Sydney Theatre Company); Ciara (Traverse Theatre); Public Enemy (adapt.) (Young Vic Theatre); Good With People (a Traverse Theatre and Datum Point Co-Production in association with Paines Plough); Calum's Road (Communicado Theatre Co,National Theatre of Scotland); A Slow Air (Tron Theatre, Glasgow); Good With People (Paines Plough/ Oran Mor, Traverse Theatre); 365 (National Theatre of Scotland); Dark Earth (Traverse Theatre); Presence (Royal Court Theatre); Kill the Old Torture Their Young (Traverse Theatre); and Knives in Hens (Traverse Theatre and Bush Theatre).

Adaptations include Public Enemy (Young Vic Theatre); Government Inspector (Young Vic Theatre); Sweet Nothings (a new version of Schnitzler's LIEBELEI), The Good Soul of Szechuan (Young Vic Theatre); Tales from the Vienna Woods (National Theatre); Ivanov (National Theatre); The Girl on the Sofa (Edinburgh International Festival and the Schaubuhne, Berlin); Woyzeck (Edinburgh Lyceum Theatre); Six Characters in Search of an Author (Young Vic Theatre); Mary Stuart (National Theatre of Scotland); and The Chrysalids (National Theatre, BT Connections).

The Pearl Theatre Company explores, expands, and enriches the theatrical canon with its Resident Acting Company by presenting mainstage productions, providing educational programs and training, as well as developing commissions and translations for the stage. Under Artistic Director Hal Brooks, The Pearl leads a dynamic conversation about the past, present, and future of great plays.

Since its founding in 1984 by Shepard Sobel, Joanne Camp, and a small troupe of actors, The Pearl has acted as the advocate for significant plays across history; the company protects and honors the spirit of every play, guiding its artistic evolution for future generations. Recognized by the Drama Desk Awards, Calloway Awards, Drama League and others for our excellent work, The Pearl strives to balance heritage and innovation to create theatre that entertains, challenges, and engages a diverse audience.

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