Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Cory Goodrich was on her treadmill scrolling through streaming services when she came across a show that gave her literal pause.
“What the Constitution Means to Me” was playing and midway through watching it, she realized she wasn’t even moving anymore.
“I knew it had been on Broadway but I didn’t know anything else about it,” she said. “I started to watch it and I stopped (walking) like 20 minutes in. I just stared at the television and listened to her because she was so funny and captivating and heartbreaking all at the same time. I fell in love with the show.”
In a pinch-me moment, Goodrich of Wheaton is starring in the play version of “What the Constitution Means to Me” on selected dates Oct. 4-Nov. 12 at the Copley Theatre in Aurora. It’s part of the Paramount’s Bold Series.
Written by playwright Heidi Schreck and nominated for multiple Tony Awards, it’s a look at the U.S. Constitution and its impact on four generations of women. Goodrich stars as the author and main character, Heidi Schreck.
It’s directed by Lauren Berman of Buffalo Grove, making her Paramount debut. The cast also features Kevin McKillip as Legionnaire and Lilly Fujioka and Vivian Webb alternating in performances as the Debater.
The play’s humor and heart attracted Goodrich to the role.
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“I am very interested in the concept of storytelling — using storytelling to build empathy,” she said. “We don’t really change peoples’ minds by rhetoric and yelling.
“But if you tell personal stories, that’s the quickest way to get into somebody’s heart and for them to understand that political talking points aren’t just talking points, they’re real policy that affect real people. I think she’s just so funny too — the play is funny, surprisingly.”
Based on her own life, the play starts out with Heidi Schreck at age 15, winning constitutional debate competitions in American Legion halls across the country to earn money for college.
“When she was in her mid-40s, she started questioning — like, ‘Why did I love the constitutional? What was it about it that I was drawn to and how does it affect me now as a woman, and how did it serve my mom, and my grandma, and my great-grandma?'” Berman said.
“It’s brilliant because it is so personal — it is her life right on stage,” Goodrich said. “Which is an interesting challenge to play her too because she’s a real, live person.”
Berman was attracted to directing the play because she liked the dual role of telling the story of both an artist and an activist, she said. She can’t wait to share the play’s message with the world.
“It’s just so relevant and speaks to so many people. The words, the story, the message — we all need to hear it even more now, unfortunately.”
Goodrich isn’t sure how audiences will react — she knows it’s funny and heartfelt and will make people think — since Schreck dares to ask the question, should we abolish the Constitution altogether and start all over?
“The really cool thing about this play too is that the character we’re missing is the audience,” she said. “It’s going to be really interesting when we get into performances because it really is a dialogue with the audience. I’m not really talking to another character onstage; I’m talking to the audience.”
Berman agreed, saying that this is an essential conversation between Schreck and the audience, she said.
“I’m hoping that the conversation will continue after the show and even inspire people to register to vote or to vote if they haven’t in a long time or encourage young people to vote. That’s my hope.”
Goodrich agreed.
“Not only is it hysterically funny but I think there is a really beautiful human experience that you have when you hear somebody else’s stories and you kind of feel yourself in these stories. I think that’s beautiful,” Goodrich said. “I hope they love the show too and learn something from it as well. I think everybody should see the show (because) it is brilliantly written.”
‘What the Constitution Means to Me’
When: Oct. 4-Nov. 12
Where: Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
Tickets: $40-$55
Information: 630-896-6666; paramountaurora.com
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.