"What the Constitution Means to Me" Elevates Conversations at Greater Boston Stage Company

Progress doesn’t only move in one way.

Greater Boston Stage Company’s latest show highlights the 2017 acclaimed play by Heidi Schreck. “What the Constitution Means to Me” explores the U.S. Constitution's impact on women’s rights, domestic abuse, and personal lives. In constitutional debates, Schreck highlights how the document has shaped four generations, and whether to keep it or replace it.

I didn’t know what to expect going into this show, and GBSC’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” is an insightful conversation that we need right now in these brutal political times. It invites us not just to listen, but to engage and reflect in the space of the theater.

I had to research more of Heidi Schreck after the performance, and I wish I had known more about her sooner. As a short background, Schreck is an American playwright, screenwriter, and actress.

Schreck wrote “What the Constitution Means to Me” to explore her complicated relationship with the U.S. Constitution. It was also a chance to revisit her teenage life and reexamine the constitution through the lens of her own life.

Janis Hudson steps into Heidi Schreck’s shoes. Hudson captures both the intellectual curiosity of a teenage debater and the lived experience of an adult reckoning with the Constitution’s real-world consequences.

Hudson has the stage for the show’s majority, sharing personal stories and facts from history. She is also very funny, occasionally falling into ‘Greek tragedy crying.’ Hudson then comes out of character, sharing her own background and how she relates to Schreck.

Joseph Marella plays the Legionnaire, who times Schreck in all her debates. Initially embodying a more rigid behavior, Marrella gradually sheds that exterior. Like Hudson, Marella also breaks his character to deliver a rather personal monologue about being male in today’s world.

These moments are reflective and deeply human. Marrella’s talk acquaints us with an ongoing constitutional conversation: How many of us are forced to be two people?

One of the most memorable segments comes at the end, when Hudson engages in a live debate with teen participant Ayannah Joseph. Maya Feldman debates in other shows. At just sixteen, Joseph is a prolific speaker. Her arguments about keeping the constitution are articulate, passionate, and intellectual.

To add more authenticity, audio clips of historical political meetings are woven throughout the show. These recordings elevate the reality, reminding us how debates have been an ongoing national conversation.

Audience participation was the most important part for director A. Nora Long. Unlike a typical show, the house lights remained on for almost the entire duration. As Long states, the audience is the most important part of the show, not as characters, but as ourselves. Like the constitution, it’s about the people - their stories, their rights, and desires.

“The power of theatre is that we can step into the shoes of someone we’ve never met, and learn about the world from their eyes,” Long said.

For me, audience reaction is the most important part of any performance. Several audience members applauded and nodded in agreement with everything said. I noticed that many older patrons were present and responded the most out of anyone about the world’s current affairs. Keep conversations alive.

I cannot say enough how much we need this show right now. Barely a decade has passed since “What the Constitution Means to Me” was written. I’m curious to see what this show becomes in another ten years.

“What the Constitution Means to Me” is at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA, until April 26. It’s very informative. Think about seeing it and enjoy the insightful conversations.