STATE COLLEGE — State College Community Theatre continues to turn up the heat this month when they open with “The Heidi Chronicles” on Thursday, July 28. Several newcomers to SCCT’s stable will shine in this provocative Wendy Wasserstein drama.
‘Heidi Holland was an actual person,’ said Nigel Semaj B, first-time SCCT director. ‘This play is about social change and the women’s rights movement that started in the ’70s and is still relevant today.”
Holland, a South African writer, championed the causes of minorities. Her namesake in the play studies and writes about art history, and its glaring absence of women.
‘Heidi starts out as a very young ‘humanist,” according to Semaj B, ‘and she ages throughout the play, becoming a feminist.’
The play, which won both Tony and Pulitzer prizes when it played on Broadway in the late 1980s, follows Heidi’s progression from a young, naive college student, through her discovery of self, feminism and purpose 30 years later. The role calls for an actress who can portray youthful energy as well as maturity. Also in her debut with SCCT, Dana Hiyajneh will play Heidi.
‘Dana is just out of high school,’ said Semaj B, ‘and she has such eagerness to learn. She grows as Heidi grows.’
The Heidi character encounters others who help her transformation and individuals who appear to hinder her development.
‘This character is very driven,’ said Hiyajneh, ‘and very human in that she struggles with her emotions and the way she’s expected to depend on men.’
Much of the concept focuses on the idea that western culture celebrates very few female artists. Many recognize names such as Mary Cassatt, Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keefe and Grandma Moses. Yet countless others have faded into the obscurity of a male-dominated form. But, “The Heidi Chronicles” gives credit to artists such as 16th-century painter Sofonisba Anguissola.
The Spanish artist’s “Portrait of the Artist’s Sisters Playing Chess” shows not only the painter’s technical dominance, but it also highlights the prominence of the female intellect.
“The Heidi Chronicles” also makes mention of 19th-century American painter Lilly Martin Spencer and Flemish painter Clara Peeters. Basically, Wasserstein makes sure that the plight of the female artist throughout history gets the attention that it deserves. And, the Heidi character helps to deliver the message.
‘I always identified as a feminist,’ said Hiyajneh, ‘but this shows me how people fought for it and it gives me greater respect for these women and the rights they fought for.’
Since the play takes the viewer through the years, it requires scene changes. But that can bulk up a show, with time and energy stolen from the action.
‘There are 13 scenes covering years from 1967 through 1970,’ Semaj B said, ‘and we can’t do it how they do it on Broadway.’
So, he came up with a unique way of marking the time sequence.
‘The transitions are scored by speeches and poems appropriate to the year,’ he said.
He uses words spoken, written and sung by such notables as Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Janis Joplin. These interludes will indicate passing of time and a change of setting.
Semaj B’s novel approach to theater and the emerging talent from Hiyajneh make this show a noteworthy addition to the SCCT season. And, Wasserstein’s concept provides plenty of material for after-show discussion.
‘It’s about human rights and why we still fight for them,’ Semaj B said.
