EMA Review: What the Constitution Means to Me **** Scrumptious

By Paul Atreides

Author, Playwright, and Theatre Critic at EatMoreArtVegas.compaul-atreides.com

Heidi Schreck’s What the Constitution Means to Me, now playing at A Public Fit under the direction of Ann-Marie Pereth and Joseph Kucan, is arguably more relevant today than when it appeared on Broadway in 2019. It was nominated for a Best Play Tony Award and named a Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. The arc covers rights “guaranteed” under the Constitution of the United States, and crucially addresses issues of women’s rights, abortion, immigration, domestic and sexual abuse, and, to a degree, the history of the country. The crux being that those rights we take for granted can be stripped from us at the whim of interpretation by nine people.

I must preface the review by disclosing that two casts are used in alternating performances. On opening night, I saw Cast 1 with Betsy Norton as Heidi Schreck and Brian David Sloan as (we assume) The American Legion Post Commander and Danny (a childhood friend). Obviously, Cast A will turn in much different performances.

The play deliberately breaks the fourth wall to bring us the adult Schreck, regaling us with her youth as a constitutional debater at the American Legion, earning scholarship money. The show moves beyond Schreck’s scripted play as local teenager Adonia “Nick” Marion-Brathwaite comes onto the stage for a mock debate on whether to retain or abolish the existing constitution, some of which is scripted by Schreck and some of which must be improvised.

As Heidi moves back and forth between her adult and 15-year-old selves, Norton proves she’s a force to be reckoned with. She commands the stage with such ease that it’s impossible not to connect with her. With subtle changes in vocal tone and physical movement as she moves from adult to teenager and back, Norton turns in a tour de force portrayal in what is “this-close” to being a 90-minute monologue.

As the Legionnaire, Sloan delivers a mashed-up caricature of Richard Nixon and Barney Fife at his most buffoonish. There’s a difference between staying engaged and drawing focus. Even when Heidi is delivering what is her adult self, far removed from the Legion’s debate competition, Sloan reacts with head bobbing, waving hands, and the occasional vocal noise. From my seat in the back corner, it became quite distracting. When he moves into the role of Danny, he’s much more real. Danny is kind and supportive, and nurturing; the exact opposite of the overbearing Legionnaire.

As the local teen Debater, Marion-Brathwaite started out speaking so rapidly that she was challenging to understand. Chalk it up to opening night jitters because she settled in and finished with a steady confidence.

To conclude the evening, Norton and Marion-Brathwaite sit for a short one-on-one Q&A on a more personal level, taking the entirety to a more intimate local level.

If Tina Rice, who heads Cast A, is Norton’s equal – and I have no doubt she will be – this play should be on your list to see. It underscores that this “living document” we refer to as “the Constitution” affects us all, regardless of gender, age, ancestry, or citizenship status.

When:  7 p.m. Friday – Saturday – Monday; 2 p.m. Sundays through November 23

Where: 4340 S. Valley View Blvd, Suite 210

Tickets: $35 - $45 (www.apublicfit.org)

Grade:  **** Scrumptious

Producer: A Public Fit; Artistic Director: Ann-Marie Pereth; Producing Director: Joseph D. Kucan; Director: Ann-Marie Pereth, Joseph Kucan; Scenic Design: Eric A. Koger; Lighting Design: Jody (Johannah) Caley; Sound Design: Arles Estes; Costume Design: Kendra Faith; Production Stage Manager: Martin Hackett