When Heidi Schreck was a teenager, she would travel from one American Legion post to another competing in debates about the Constitution. Students participated in these civic exercises and the winners were awarded money for College expenses. Heidi Schreck put herself through College on the winnings from these debates. But, it becomes very clear very early in What the Constitution Means to Me that the Constitution is just a vehicle for Heidi Schreck to talk about her troubled family and its tumultuous history.
It’s astonishing that this essentially one-woman show could deal with so many topics: civil rights, slavery, amendments to the Constitution, and feminism. Heidi Schreck talks about how the women in her own family have survived through physical abuse and rape. She also points out that the US Constitution, intended to protect all of us, never even once mentions the word “woman.”
What the Constitution Means to Me is nominated for two Tony Awards: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Heidi Schreck) and Best Play.
I found What the Constitution Means to Me very moving. I can’t imagine how Heidi Schreck could perform this emotional play eight times a week! I was drained after sitting through one performance! Highly recommended! Do you have a favorite Amendment? GRADE: A-
Interesting. I’ve wondered about this one since it opened. I know she got great reviews. Jackie, as a rule, is not a big fan of one wo/man shows, though we’ve seen a bunch of them over the years, starting with Roy Dotrice as John Aubrey in BRIEF LIVES (Dotrice is in the Guinness Book of Records for “greatest number of solo performances”) and most recently Renee Taylor’s MY LIFE ON A DIET.
Favorite Amendment? The First, obviously. Despite efforts to undercut it by Trump and his minions, it is the most important.
Jeff, I think you and Jackie would find WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME insightful and entertaining. Very original!
Second Amendment! I like most of the others, too!
As for the show, I’ll pass!
Bob, I like most of the other Amendments, too. But I’m concerned about how they are “interpreted” by our Courts.
The First is first for a reason. I’m almost as much an absolutist as Hugo Black was.
I attended George Mason University as well. GMU didn’t respect GM’s legacy in a number of ways. But, then, what a surprise.
Notable also that the Equal Rights Amendment was a feature of the Republican national platform from midcentury till 1980, when the Reagan clowns got rid of it.
Todd, Reagan and his crew have a lot to answer for.