I’m exhausted. I had a long day of work - it’s been a long week so far, really. Plus, my YouTube feed has been inundated with political infighting, silly campaigning, and depressing details about the state of our country. So, yeah, I’m worn out.
I often go to the theatre to escape “real life;” tonight at WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME by Heidi Schrek, I instead got an education about the Constitution, what it means to be a woman in America, and how Parliamentary debates work. It was a lot.
It was a lot of really good, though.
Conan Morrissey illuminates the stage as she plays the role based on playwright Heidi Schreck. We are introduced to her 15-year-old self, navigating speech contests at American Legions, a journey that financed her college education. Through her monologues, the tapestry of her life unfolds, revealing stories of her grandmother, and mother, and the complex intersections of the Constitution with the lives of women, minorities, and other marginalized individuals.
It’s not preachy, but it is dense. At an hour and forty-five minutes or so, this mostly one-woman show benefits from the charisma and professionalism of Morrissey as well as the always-welcome presence of Phil Fiorini, who plays a few roles in the production. Also in the cast is Sydni Charity Solomon, a senior in the CCM Acting program, who joins the show at the end to debate “Heidi” about whether or not we should scrap the historic document and draft a new Constitution.
The stage showcases the true protagonist of the tale - the Constitution, flanked by representations of its framers, reminding us of the homogenous group of wealthy, old white men who penned it. It's less of an attack and more of a reflection, pondering the relevance of this foundational document in 2023.
Under Brian Robertson's direction, the narrative flows seamlessly, and the momentum stays consistent. Though the content is heavy, the actors remain engaged throughout. However, the script seems to run out of steam by the end, and the debate tacked on to the end feels cumbersome and clunky, though I appreciate the unconventional nature of the show overall.
Despite my weariness about politics, my work day, and life in general, this is an important and thought-provoking show - and it is masterfully done in the capable hands of D. Lynn Meyers and her team at ETC. I’m glad they were the ones to get the rights . . . because they know exactly how to do this show right.
WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME runs through October 1st at Ensemble Theater of Cincinnati in Over-the-Rhine. Tickets and more can be found here.