At some point in our lives, most people in America will spend a few moments reflecting on The Constitution and how it has directly or indirectly affected us, even if those moments were in a high school Social Studies class.
Happily, Dezart Performs has given us another such chance with their excellent production of Heidi Schreck’s “WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME.” Under the masterful direction of Craig Wells, this play makes you spend at least a few minutes looking at a subject most of us haven’t given much thought to in our adult lives; the Constitution and how it does, or does not, afford us any guarantees or protections at all. Now before you rush to the conclusion that this sounds boring and start to look elsewhere for something to do, let me assure you that this play is anything but.
Heidi Schreck not only wrote this essentially one-woman show but originally starred in it as well. The material is very biographical as it deals with several generations of women in the author’s life. Now, in a somewhat surreal style, the role is played by Robyn Cohen giving an amazing performance as ‘Robyn Cohen acting the part of Heidi Schreck.’ Through multiple stories about her mother, grandmother and even her great-grandmother’s life, what soon becomes evident is: unless you are a white male landowner and citizen, The Constitution actually promises you……zilch! Some things get better, some things get worse, and some things never change getting lost in years of endless discussions and debates. But despite some shockingly true events, especially relating to women’s rights and equality, the show does leave you with the feeling that there is truly hope for the future. If opposing parties would just talk and listen to each other, we would realize that we are all part of the same experience and start the forward motion once again to a better and more enlightened future.
As I mentioned earlier, Robyn Cohen gives an amazingly strong performance as Heidi Schreck. She is gifted with a riveting stage presence and radiates a genuine warmth especially when breaking the 4th wall and talking directly to members of the audience. Always playful but never untrustworthy, the audience was, at all times, firmly in her thrall.
There are 2 other people onstage. Craig Wroe, on the side of the stage throughout the evening, plays a Legionnaire hosting an awards evening and brings a compassionate and gentler male attitude to the proceedings.
In the last segment of the show, a coda, if you will, Tia Laulusa plays a student who is a great debater and is given the task of debating the leading lady on the topic of THE CONSTITUTION: KEEP IT OR REWRITE IT. She, like Ms. Cohen has a strong and likeable stage presence and holds her own against Ms. Cohen in the 20 or so minute long section. Both sides make strong points to support their position. One audience member, on behalf of the rest of the audience gets to decide which side made the winning arguments. No matter the decision, both actresses give us a lot to think about and discuss on the way home. I know my theatre companion and I certainly were and isn’t that a sign of an evening well spent in the theatre?