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| Vincent Randazzo as Mike listens as Heidi, played by Kimberly Donovan, talks about the Constitution. (Hillbarn photo) |
In view of today’s political turmoil in the U.S., Hillbarn
Theatre & Conservatory’s production of Heidi Schreck’s “What the
Constitution Means to Me” would seem quite timely.
However, it mainly takes place when the playwright was
still in high school. To earn money for college, she entered contests to talk
about what the Constitution means to her.
The action takes place in an American Legion hall in
Wenatchee, Wash., when her character, Heidi (Kimberly Donovan), was 15. The
contest has time limits overseen by a Legion member, Mike (Vincent Randazzo).
Mostly she talks about Amendment 14, ratified in 1868.
It provides for equal protection under the law, calls for due process and
grants citizenship to anyone born in the United States. At the time it was
intended to grant citizenship to former slaves.
Schreck says many of these rights seemed to apply only
to men. Hence, she espouses feminist views.
She seems to switch between her teenage and adult
selves, talking about her life and family.
A third character, Debater (Miriam Shev-Tov at the
Jan. 23 opening), appears later to debate Heidi. She’s an actual 15-year-old
who has more contemporary view of the Constitution and its role in current
affairs. She makes points that seem to resonate with the audience.
(Another Debater, Avery Hartman, is listed in the
program but didn’t appear at the opening. It’s likely that she and Shev-Tov
alternate in the role, but the program doesn’t say so.)
As directed by Susannah Martin, Donovan is too hyper
and shouts too much, diluting her effectiveness. The other two performers are
more subdued.
The subtle sound design is by Jeff Mockus with the set
by Jenna Forder, lighting by Cameron Pence and costumes by Madeline Berger.
Running about two hours with no intermission, “What
the Constitution Means to Me” will continue through Feb. 8 at Hillbarn Theatre,
1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City.
For tickets and information, call (650) 349-6411 or
visit www.hillbarntheatre.org.
