Care to hazard a guess as to which is the most produced play in America today? It’s Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me,” an insightful report card on how this 237-year-old document has performed its job for We the People. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with this captivating Tony nominated, Pulitzer Prize finalist drama, making its San Diego Premiere at North Coast Rep.
The story begins as a memory play of the author’s personal experiences as a high-school student pursuing college scholarship money in American Legion oratory competitions. Later, it segues with laser focus to constitutional issues before the U.S. Supreme Court (past and present) such as women’s rights, domestic violence, gender discrimination and immigration. The playing of an audio clip of the justices, on an all-male court, tongue-tied with embarrassment as they struggle to understand a point of law in an abortion case is illuminating on so many levels.
The Constitution “is a living warm-blooded steamy document,” says actor Jacque Wilke, portraying Schreck as a teen, young woman and middle-aged as the story unfolds. Under the assured direction of Shana Wride, Wilke delivers an outstanding performance that is winsome, earnest and heart-wrenching. It is also hopeful and hilariously funny.
Set designer Marty Burnett has crafted an American Legion Hall stage (circa 1980s) replete with color-guard flags standing at attention on crimson-red carpeting and a staggering number of framed head shots of American Legion chapter presidents (all men) in neat rows covering a wall of wood paneling. All the right finishing touches are delivered by props designer Audrey Casteris: folding metal chairs, plastic water pitcher and cups atop a small table, box of Kleenex® and the American Legion emblem affixed to a podium center stage.
Also on stage is a poker-face Legionnaire (Andrew Oswald) who, stopwatch in hand, serves as debate timekeeper. Serious about his job, his stern squint-eyed look is even employed to subdue the audience (which has been told to imagine it is all cigar-smoking men) lest there are outbursts the official deems inappropriate.
The show concludes with a parliamentary-type debate between Wilke and a high school student (actor Genevieve Tai on opening night) on whether to keep or abolish the Constitution. The arguments for and against are passionate and compelling. The audience holds its collective breath as one of them is chosen at random to decide which argument carries the day.
Costume design is by Elisa Benzoni; light design by Matthew Novotny. Pre-show, sound designer Evan Eason conveys the era through The Beatles’ “Revolution,” Loretta Lynn’s “The Pill” and George Michaels’ “Freedom.” The audience leaves the theater to Aretha Franklin’s “Think.”
This is a play you won’t stop thinking about. Better yet, start talking about the issues raised and keep talking. The U.S. Constitution will only live up to its promise if we live up to ours as informed citizens who participate in democracy.
by Lynne Friedmann
