Kimberly Donovan stars as Heidi in Hillbarn Theatre’s 'What the Constitution Means to Me.'
In view of today’s political turmoil in the United States, 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 is set in an American Legion hall in Wenatchee, Washington, when 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.
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