What The Constitution Means To Me Broadway Previews

[Mike Barrett]

This begins previews tomorrow night at the Hayes theatre! Anyone going this weekend?

[WhizzerMarvin]

I was there tonight for the first preview. I have to admit that this was the show I was looking forward to least this season. I mean, talk about an unappealing title! It’s not quite a one-woman show, but I was envisioning Heidi Schreck standing behind a podium, giving a lecture on constitutional law. That’s kind of what happens, but it was much more theatrical than I imagined, and given Schreck’s warmth and genuine funny bone, this turned out to be the pleasant surprise of the season for me.

Without giving too much away, the meat of piece is Schreck relating her family history going back several generations in small town Washington State. She focuses on the women of her family tree and the struggles they had to overcome. The main issues tackled are abortion and violence against women, which makes it sound dreary, but it’s really not.

The set is cheap and blah (Schreck jokes that she wishes they had enough money for a set change like at “fancy” Broadway shows, but alas they didn’t have the cash!) so the whole evening rests on Schreck’s charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent, all of which she has in abundance.

[ethan231h]

Very excited to see this in May, missed it in the fall!

[MarilynMonroeSmash]

Was there any merch? I'm dying for a window card!

[LightsOut90]

Ive seen this show several times, I was there tonight, all I can say is go go go, even if youve seen it before, go again, this is work that deserves to be supported so more plays like it can happen on Broadway! 

As for merch Windowcard, magnet, tote bag. They will have a mug and shirts after opening on the 31st

[RWPrincess]

I'm seeing this next weekend. Thanks for the reviews so far.

[bjh2114]

This was one of the best things I saw last year when it was at NYTW. Heidi is one of the best storytellers in the business.

[petewk87]

Was wondering if the show has changed much from NYTw, as I may want to see it before it’s frozen or opens. Thanks!

[LightsOut90]

^ the ending might be different depending on what night you go, that’s all I will say regarding changes made between nytw and broadway!

[pacificnorthwest]

Can anyone tell me the running time? 

[curiousincident]

The running time is about 100 minutes with no intermission 

[ethan231h]

Will the pocket constitutions be handed out for the whole run?

[novel idea]

Was there today. Very well written and provacatice - definitely will be up for best play nods.

Heidi, as an actress, however, is anything but. For me, she lacked true spontaneity and humor - everything comes off super planned - from her phony vulnerability and fake crying (not her Greek tragedy cries, if you’ve seen the show) to her comedy “bits”, and her inclusion of the audience. She’s constantly referencing people, waving, pointing at us, but not actually present and taking us in - I would have much rather seen someone different do her work. Just doesn’t have the star quality chops.

[LightsOut90]

^ you are so totally wrong and this was borderline rude

[kaykordeath]

I've been comparing it to seeing a really god magic trick. If you've seen enough magic, you typically have a general idea how most elaborate tricks are done. But you can still appreciate the craftsmanship and work done.

I found Heidi to be extremely engaging and entertaining. I thought the performance (including the finale) came across as extremely conversational and extemporaneous, even though I've seen enough live theater to know other wise. Those who know what to look for might see the strings, but I don't think that should take away from a highly enjoyable experience. 

 

novel idea said: "Was there today. Very well written and provacatice - definitely will be up for best play nods.

Heidi, as an actress, however, is anything but. For me, she lacked true spontaneity and humor - everything comes off super planned - from her phony vulnerability and fake crying (not her Greek tragedy cries, if you’ve seen the show) to her comedy “bits”, and her inclusion of the audience. She’s constantly referencing people, waving, pointing at us, but not actually present and taking us in - I would have much rather seen someone different do her work. Just doesn’t have the star quality chops."

 

[n2nbaby]

LightsOut90 said: "^ you are so totally wrong and this was borderline rude"

? He had a well formed opinion and was not rude in the slightest. 

[TFMH18]

Going in a couple weeks and I cannot wait to see it again, having loved it so much since its Off-Bway run. This is my absolute no. 1 long-shot Tony hope: WTCMTM best play nod

[52889j]

For those who have been already:
does the playbill denote the alternates' (Rosdely and Thursday) schedule?

[52889j]

For those who have been already:
does the playbill denote the alternates' (Rosdely and Thursday) schedule?

[MarilynMonroeSmash]

Does anyone have a picture of what the window card looks like? Thanks!

[LightsOut90]

its pretty much the same art/design on the playbill.

[mcsquared]

I bought a ticket but it looks like I can’t make it since I won’t be in nyc then. If anyone is interested in ticket for 4/7 @ 7 pm please pm me.

[RWPrincess]

52889j said: "For those who have been already:
does the playbill denote the alternates' (Rosdely and Thursday) schedule?"

Yes

 

[raddersons]

FYI this has a rush policy -- $42 tickets. And I don't imagine it's very popular with the crowd who rushes, so you can probably walk up in the middle of the day and snag some.

[Braniff Forever]

I was able to get a ticket for this show last Friday night for $69 at TKTS, so I was pleasantly surprised and pleased not to have to pay a lot for once! Lol! I really liked this show. I support anything that the Hayes shows since its mission is to show plays from living American playwrights, I go to whatever it shows. But, I wasn’t jumping up and down about going to this show because this show sounds so dry and boring, but surprisingly it was actually very good! Quite entertaining and very informative about how the Constitution forms the basis for our society and ultimately provides the framework upon which we are able to live our lives. Heidi does a great job of showing us how the Constitution relates to her life, which, in turns makes the audience members reflect upon how the Constitution would affect their own lives.

It seems that there is a bit of randomness in the show, when she picks and Amendment to talk about. In the show, I saw, she talked about the 14th Amendment, and how it related to her life. I wonder, does she talk about that Amendment in every show? Or is it truly random that she does pick out an Amendment from the hat and have to be able to talk about any Amendment? So I guess I’m asking, if you went to the show, did she talk about the 14th Amendment? Or another one?

Yes, I go to keep the Constitution booklet given out that was provided by the ACLU. I wanted to buy a coffee mug and there was none for sale. They said they were getting them later! And to answer someone’s question, I don’t know what a window card is?? Is it a small poster? I think they had that for sale as well as a magnet. So I placed my little copy of the Constitution in my collection of mugs from shows that don’t have the plastic cups that come complimentary when one orders a Diet Pepsi.

Overall, the show was great and worth a visit! If it is nominated for the Pulitzer or Tony for Best Play, how will they treat the randomness of the play in the written form? Or is it actually not random at all and actually the same every single night? Are the people in the audience actor plants? Who knows? Lol! Maybe you know??