What the Constitution Means to Me, presented by Huntington Theater Company at Emerson Cutler Majestic Theater, Boston, through March 20 617- 266-0800 or huntingtontheatre.org
What are the main perils confronting America and the world? Beside the fate of Ukraine, the defense of democracy and climate change are arguably the most immediate. Right now two shows—one the tour of an acclaimed Broadway play, the other a Cambridge world premiere—are respectively taking on these ever-growing challenges.
"What the Constitution Means to Me," a 2017 Heidi Schreck Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize nominee (2019) presented by Huntington Theater at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theater, explores both the content and the personal impact of the Constitution in a debate-centered format. "Ocean Filibuster," a new American Repertory Theater work, means to bring insight about human damage to the ecosystem through a confrontation between an American senator and the Ocean itself.
The "Constitution" play is a provocative treasure while the A.R.T. premiere is a largely forgettable effort that insults its audience with a platitude-ridden conflict, interactive gimmickry and repetitive familiar preaching.
Schreck's informative and thoughtful play invites real exploration of Constitution pros and cons right from the start. Schreck—here Cassie Beck in a wonderful portrayal in the tour—opens as the 15 year old who raised her college tuition by way of speech competitions across the country. If the presentation sometimes may seem disarmingly rambling, do not be fooled.
Schreck has created a careful structured play (about 90 minutes in length)—with prepared and written extemporaneous stretches—that makes entertaining and occasionally humorous but always accurate points about the evolving nature of the Constitution. Quite simply, the debating teenager—as well as the grownup decades later--calls on audiences to understand that the 9th and 14th amendments of this invaluable document did not always actually protect the rights of women, people of color and LGBTQ citizens.
Along the way, there are important observations about such key cases as the regressive Dred Scott decision (1857) and Roe v. Wade (1973). At the same time, iconic Supreme Court justice William Douglas and such equal rights crusaders as Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks come in for significant attention. Theatergoers are likely to smile or chuckle as justices do a lot of throat clearing during a telling recording. Personal connections kick in as Schreck—and Cassie in the exuberant touring edition—speaks of family members and her own issue with pros and cons about abortion vis-à-vis the right to privacy and women's rights. Under Oliver Butler's well-paced direction, Beck captures the kind of combination of wisdom, wit and sharp observations that must have contributed greatly to Schreck's success in competitions.
Gabriel Marin is equally effective as a relatively stoic American Legionnaire running the play's debate (kudos to scenic designer Rachel Hauck for a set that features walls of photos of veterans and a satisfyingly minimal set) and later connecting on his own with the Constitution. Jocelyn Shek (at some performances Emilyn Toffler) brings high energy and strong debating banter of her own in volleys of pros and cons about the people's document.
"What the Constitution Means to Me" is a timely and trenchant reminder that the American democratic experiment depends on the participation of all citizens.