Good theatre can take many forms, and at its best will speak to its relevance in your life.
Director Brian Lang has taken Heidi Schreck’s contemporary play “What the Constitution …
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Good theatre can take many forms, and at its best will speak to its relevance in your life.
Director Brian Lang has taken Heidi Schreck’s contemporary play “What the Constitution Means To Me” and brought it up close, personal and relevant to its Rhode island audiences.
Schreck wrote and starred in the original production, playing herself as a 15-year-old high school debater and her 49-year-old self in a 90 minute production that will send you home with much to think about.
Wilbury’s Charlotte Kinder proves herself worthy of playing the challenging role of Heidi in a solid performance that requires pages and pages of only occasionally uninterrupted dialogue, plus a plethora of body language and movement.
Heidi is competing in an American Legion Hall debate that, if she wins, will pay for her college tuition.
She is introduced by a Legionnaire (Ricky Waugh) who also serves as timekeeper and asker of follow-up questions.
Heidi gives her starry-eyed speech and animatedly tells personal stories about what the Constitution means to her.
Heidi takes off her jacket, moves away from the podium and becomes the woman she is today, closely examining the language of the document, beginning with “all ‘MEN’ are created equal” and following up with “equal justice under the law.”
She reminds her audience that the Constitution was written by white men for white men. She cites chapter and verse, recalling stories of abuse and injustice toward her great-grandmother, grandmother and mother.
The subjugation of women challenges the words and meanings of the Constitution as she cites the interpretations of the 9th and 14th amendments that she championed as a younger, naïve student.
Thanks to some careful writing and interpretation by Kinder, any bitterness and anger is contained as the stories and examples of the inconsistencies in the Constitution are revealed.
The play then takes a fork in the road as the Legionnaire steps out of character, describing himself as an actor who has been personally affected because of his sexual orientation.
It is now time for the debate between the young Heidi who pleads for the Constitution to remain as is and a young student who calls for change. Madison Donnelly alternates the role with Hayley Pezza.
The audience must decide the winner, which means the play could end differently each night.
With Election Day around the corner and a chance to vote for holding a Constitutional Convention in Rhode Island, the play carries even more relevance than when it was written.
Wilbury adds a final touch, presenting each audience member with a copy of the Constitution.
The play runs through Oct. 13 at the theatre’s space in the Waterfire building on 475 Valley St., Providence. Visit www.thewilburygroup.org/tickets.html or call 400-7100.
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