What the Constitution Means to Me set for Paramount Theatre
What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck is a hilarious, heartbreaking and insightful look at the U.S. Constitution and its impact, for better or worse, on four generations of women.
Schreck's Tony-nominated sensation has never been more timely, and it's ready to spark debate October 4-November 12 as part of Paramoun Theatre's 2023-24 BOLD Series, for those who crave theater that is intimate, honest, fervent and emotionally intoxicating.
What the Constitution Means to Me: Discovery Phase
Roe vs. Wade was still the law of the land when What the Constitution Means to Me premiered in New York 2018. The New York Times called it a "slyly crafted piece of persuasion and a tangible contribution to the change it seeks." The play went on to a five-month Broadway run with Schreck in the lead role, earned Tony nominations for Best Play and Best Performance by an Actress, was named a Pulitzer finalist, went on national tours, was filmed for TV, and is still available to stream on Amazon Prime.
The play starts with Heidi at age 15, winning Constitutional debate competitions in American Legion halls across the country, which is how she funded her college tuition. She traces how our founding document shaped the lives of four generations of women in her family, for better or worse.
The play is a declaration that the fight for freedom and equality is never done, but passed on from generation to generation. But Heidi's most incendiary question sparks perhaps the most debate: should we abolish the Constitution altogether and start all over?
Here in Aurora, now in post-Roe America, Paramount has tapped Lauren Berman to direct What the Constitution Means to Me, marking her Paramount debut.
Chicago actor Cory Goodrich will be in the spotlight as Heidi. The cast also features Kevin McKillip as Legionnaire, with two young actors, Lilly Fujioka and Vivian Webb, alternating performances as the Debater.