[SALT LAKE CITY, UT, MARCH 13, 2023] — Pioneer Theatre Company (PTC), Utah’s premier professional theatre, presents the 2019 Pulitzer Prize finalist What the Constitution Means to Me from April 7 through 22, 2023. The play, written by Heidi Schreck, is described as follows:

Fifteen-year-old Heidi earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this hilarious, hopeful, and achingly human new play, she resurrects her teenage self in order to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives. Schreck’s timely and galvanizing play became a sensation off-Broadway before transferring to Broadway where it received two Tony Award nominations among countless other accolades. The New York Times hailed What the Constitution Means to Me as “not just the best play to open on Broadway so far this season, but also the most important.”

“What the Constitution Means to Me is at once a personal and a universal story—as it examines our shared histories and futures,” said director Karen Azenberg. “I’m hopeful that this play will spark discourse, and maybe even some debate, as we contemplate the state of our democracy.”  

CAST & CREATIVE

Leading the cast is Laura Jordan, in her PTC debut, as Heidi. Jordan appeared on Broadway in In My Life and Cry-Baby. She also appeared off-Broadway in Silence! The Musical, Morning’s at Seven, among others. Onscreen, Jordan has appeared in The Deuce, The Big C, and the upcoming film Jules with Sir Ben Kingsley. 

Returning to PTC is Ben Cherry, in the role of Legionnaire/Mike. Cherry previously appeared on the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre Stage in Oslo, Lifespan of a Fact, and ASS. His Broadway credits include Indecent and Fiddler on the Roof. Regionally, he has appeared across the country at theatres including The Guthrie, Arena Stage, and four seasons at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Sharing the role of a teenage debater are four local actors: Taryn Bedore, Sofia Brinkerhoff, Naomi Cova, and Abigail Knighton. Each is making their respective PTC debut with the production.

Pioneer Theatre Company Artistic Director Karen Azenberg helms the production. Since directing and choreographing A Christmas Story, The Musical earlier this season for PTC, Azenberg directed Love Letters, featuring 2023 Academy Award nominee Judd Hirsch, for Theatre Aspen. Azenberg will also direct and choreograph PTC’s final production of the 22-23 season, The Prom.

Joining Azenberg on the creative team are Scenic Designer Jo Winiarski (A Distinct Society), PTC Resident Costume Designer Phillip R. Lowe, Lighting Designer Brian Tovar (Scapin), PTC Resident Sound Designer Bryce Robinette, PTC Resident Wig and Makeup Designer Samantha M. Wootten, and Dramaturg Alexandra Harbold (Mary Stuart). Sarah Hudson is Production Stage Manager. 

What the Constitution Means to Me runs from April 7 through 22 at the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre. Tickets are available at PioneerTheatre.org or by calling PTC’s Box Office at 801-581-6961. 

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PRESS CONTACT 

Joshua Black
Director of Marketing and Communications
Joshua.Black@PTC.Utah.edu
O: 801-581-6270  

PRESS KIT LINK 

INTERVIEWS: Interviews with the cast and artistic staff are available. Please contact Joshua Black. 

WHAT 

What the Constitution Means to Me
by Heidi Schreck
Directed by Karen Azenberg

WHEN 

April 7 – 22, 2023

TIMES 

Monday – Thursday, 7:00 PM
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 PM
Saturday, 2:00 PM 

WHERE 

Pioneer Theatre Company (PTC) is located in the
Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 300 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City 

PRICES 

$35 – $46 in advance; $5 more when purchased on the day of show.
Students K-12 are half-price Monday-Thursday. 

MORE INFO 

Box Office: 801-581-6961
Open 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM., Mon. – Fri.
https://pioneertheatre.org/season/2022-2023-season/constitution/

CAST 

Heidi: Laura Jordan*
Legionnaire/Mike: Ben Cherry*
Debater (Alternating): Taryn Bedore, Sofia Brinkerhoff, Naomi Cova, and Abigail Knighton

CREATIVE TEAM

Playwright: Heidi Schreck
Director: Karen Azenberg
Scenic Designer: Jo Winiarski
Costume Designer: Phillip R. Lowe
Lighting Designer: Brian Tovar
Sound Designer: Bryce Robinette
Wig and Makeup Designer: Samantha M. Wootten
Dramaturg: Alexandra Harbold
Production Stage Manager: Sarah Hudson* 

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. 

ABOUT PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY (PTC) 

Now celebrating its 61st season, the award-winning PTC is Utah’s premiere professional theatre company and a leading arts organization of the West. Led by Artistic Director Karen Azenberg and Interim Managing Director Diane L. Parisi, PTC presents world-class productions that celebrate diversity in culture and society, and serve as the connecting bridge between art and scholarship as an affiliate of the University of Utah. For more information, visit  PioneerTheatre.org.