When Heroism Meets Reality

Henrik Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People” is a full-bodied drama about hypocrisy and hubris. It’s also about politics, corruption, manipulation and the unbearable smallness of the common man--plenty to get excited over in the hands of Cal State Fullerton’s lively director and cast.

Dan Kern and his actors approach “An Enemy of the People” with respect, but not as if it’s a dusty antique. They use Arthur Miller’s adaptation, which has made the language more contemporary, more fresh.

Ibsen favors iconoclasts (the more self-absorbed the better), and this time it’s Dr. Stockmann (Christopher Younggren), a good man who imagines greatness for himself. Stockmann thinks he’s on the right path when he discovers that the baths at the Norway health resort where he works are contaminated with hazardous bacteria.

Stockmann firmly believes his revelation will save the resort and nearby town, making him a hero. But once the village leaders find out the costs, financial and in damaged reputation, they turn on Stockmann. His brother, Peter (Forrest Robinson), the town’s mayor, leads the charge.

The naive doctor learns about civic hypocrisy in a big way when everyone from the opportunistic and spineless editor (Michael Serna) of the People’s Daily Messenger newspaper to drunken street toughs rail against him. It’s a brutal fall from perfect savior to dangerous sap.

Younggren’s performance taps into Stockmann’s self-adulation. Marching from scene to scene, he wears a silly little grin, like he’s waving a flag of pure satisfaction. When that smile grows pinched, it’s because the doctor sees something of his foolishness.

Cynicism and expediency drive the other important characters. Robinson’s Peter is a gray-looking, unassuming bureaucrat who can turn vicious in an instant. Then there’s Dr. Stockmann’s rich father-in-law, who may be the worst of the bunch. Alessandro Trinca plays him as folksy, reserved and utterly ruthless when it comes to protecting himself.

The production’s period look is also satisfying. Todd Canedy’s design for the Stockmann’s home and the newspaper office is uncluttered, with a few abstract touches (for example, a shelf holding family dishes hangs from the ceiling) that work in this theater-in-the-round setting.

Barbara Braden Meyer’s costumes are right too. Drab and tight-fitting, just about everyone seems a tad uncomfortable living the compromised lives they’ve chosen.

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* “An Enemy of the People,” Cal State Fullerton’s Arena Theatre, 800 N. State College Blvd. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 8 p.m., with Saturday matinees at 2:30 p.m.; Sundays, 5 p.m.. Ends Oct. 19. $6 and $8. (714) 278-3371. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Alessandro Trinca: Billing

Ramsey Warfield: Morten Kiil

Miranda Hawk: Catherine Stockmann

Forrest Robinson: Peter Stockmann

Michael Serna: Hovstad

Christopher Younggren: Dr. Stockmann

Jesse Meyer: Morten

John Baker: Ejlif

Kristian Nelson: Captain Horster

Christy Zollar: Petra

Jim Taulli: Aslaksen

A Cal State Fullerton production of Henrik Ibsen’s play, directed by Dan Kern. Set design: Todd Canedy. Lighting: Bonnie Vigil. Costumes: Barbara Braden Meyer. Makeup/hair: Danielle Bisutti. Sound: John R. Fisher. Stage manager: Pablo Bernardo Giustorobello.