An Enemy of The People: Extinction Rebellion

Theater of War Productions and the world-wide environmental movement Extinction Rebellion joined forces to present scenes from Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People in Times Square on the Red Steps on June 12, featuring acclaimed actors and a “chorus” of climate activists, scientists, journalists, elected officials, and concerned citizens performing the role of the crowd in Ibsen’s 1882 play as a catalyst for a powerful, global conversation about climate change and the challenges of communicating the current environmental stakes before it’s too late. This free, live, hybrid event took place for an in-person audience on the Red Steps, as well as for a large global audience on Zoom.
Featuring performances by Bill Murray (Rushmore), Kathryn Erbe (Law & Order: Criminal Intent), Taylor Schilling (Orange is the New Black), Zach Grenier (The Good Fight), Peter Francis James (Oz), Jay O. Sanders (True Detective), Jumaane Williams (NYC Public Advocate), Peter Marks (former Chief Theater Critic, The Washington Post), and Nate Smith (Extinction Rebellion). Adapted, directed, and facilitated by Bryan Doerries. Produced and technically directed by Marjolaine Goldsmith.
Co-presented by The Sixth Festival.
The play tells the story of a doctor who discovers the water supply in his small, rural town has been poisoned by a tannery. Despite his efforts to convey the truth to the public, the doctor fails to save his community from environmental disaster and is ultimately scapegoated by politicians, corporations, community members, and the local media for his whistleblowing.
An Enemy of the People was first performed in Norway in 1882, and yet it speaks to the present moment as if it were written for our times - to the corrosive influence of power and money in politics, the distortions of the media, and the many other challenges to climate action, environmental justice, and public health in our culture today. By presenting scenes from the play in public settings, featuring a variety of stakeholders, the project aims to create the conditions for open and constructive dialogue and positive action at this critical juncture, when the stakes could not be higher.

[@emankin]

As always, so fabulous. I wish I could have been in Times Square. Must have been great.

[@kathyruopp50]

Good video! I was so sorry to miss the live event. I can't believe how controlled it was despite being in Times Square.

[@nuqwestr]

Chekov good, but Twain said it all in one sentence "If you are going to tell the truth, make it FUNNY, otherwise they'll kill you.

[@fitzieism2692]

We are our own worst enemy…unless we Unite like this Character Rich Cast with #xrnyc to make this a better place 2 b. As there’s No Planet B. Who we gonna call? On all yall TU #BillMurray too

[@Lilweh]

I didn’t listen to anything I was just staring at bill murray because hes so fanum tax

[@kamkolfilms]

Which politician was Bill Murray channeling? Let's hear your guesses. ;)

[@emankin]

Great question. All politicians - he got the essence.

[@emankin]

Ok - maybe George H.W. Bush ...

[@nuqwestr]

The plot of Jaws and Piranha, lol

[@adriennestark5198]

Peter is a master at self deception and is really gaslighting his brother....

[@trent374]

Thank you for posting this! I've been wanting to see it, and regretting that I live on the other side of the country, since the PBS Newshour segment last week. th-cam.com/video/PGb9bD4StEU/w-d-xo.html

[@MaTeresaPastorGallach]

Gràcies per aquet vídeo en què puc recordar el que vaig veure per zoom en directe a Barcelona ,hi poder-lo traduir. Gràcies a tots els actors molt bé

[@helenthomas6716]

Jumaane is an actor? Who knew😮

[@atenajeretic8968]

Thank you so much.

[@Lilweh]

I wanted to go but I have no money

[@extinctionrebellionnyc]

The event was free of charge!

[@Lilweh]

@@extinctionrebellionnyc no I mean like I live far away like on the other side of the world