“What the Constitution Means to Me” at Sacramento’s B Street Theatre is an electrifying exploration of personal history and political discourse, brought to vivid life by the actress Elisabeth Nunziato.
Heidi Schreck’s autobiographical play, which dissects the U.S. Constitution’s impact on women’s rights finds its ideal interpreter in Nunziato. Her portrayal captures the intricate balance of intellect and ebullience that the role demands, making the evening feel both deeply personal and universally engaging. The local production by B Street Theatre at The Sofia runs through Nov. 10.
Heidi Schreck’s autobiographical play, which dissects the U.S. Constitution’s impact on women’s rights finds its ideal interpreter in Nunziato. Her portrayal captures the intricate balance of intellect and ebullience that the role demands, making the evening feel both deeply personal and universally engaging. The local production by B Street Theatre at The Sofia runs through Nov. 10.
Joining Nunziato on stage is Tim Stewart, who plays the role of the Legionnaire, a figure representing the traditional, patriarchal values inherent in the history of the Constitution. His presence serves as both a foil and a grounding force for Nunziato’s impassioned arguments. Stewart’s performance as the Legionnaire is both taciturn and paternal, embodying the often unquestioned reverence for the Constitution while providing moments of quiet introspection that allow the play’s critique to land with greater impact.
His interactions with Nunziato add multilayers of tension, comedy and tenderness, as the two represent different perspectives on the document’s legacy, creating a fascinating push and pull that drives the narrative forward.
The Sofia is an excellent venue for this thought-provoking piece; its thrust stage, which extends into the auditorium, provides immediate intimacy between Nunziato and the audience. The set, a faithful recreation of an American Legion hall, fosters an immediate sense of community between Nunziato, Stewart and the audience, creating an atmosphere of shared reflection. The design allows the focus to rest squarely on the performers while immediately setting a tone that lends itself beautifully to Nunziato and Stewart’s command of the room.
Nunziato’s performance is nothing short of a tour de force. From the moment she steps on stage, she infuses Schreck’s witty dialogue with a warmth and humor that endears her to the audience, all while blending deeply personal revelations and often painful anecdotes about family and constitutional law. In a role that requires both intellectual rigor and emotional depth, Nunziato handles this balancing act with grace. Her moments of direct engagement with the audience are particularly potent, drawing everyone into the debate as active participants rather than passive observers.
Together, Nunziato and Stewart illustrate the central conflict of the play: the Constitution’s promise versus its shortcomings. Stewart adds a surprising layer of heart and humanity to what could have been a rigid, procedural role. He brings a mix of dry humor and quiet authority, allowing the audience to see him as both an enforcer of the old guard and an empathetic witness to Nunziato’s journey, becoming a stand-in for the audience itself.
Stewart’s presence isn’t just about keeping order; it comes to represent the often silent complicity of those who uphold systems without questioning them, and he expertly navigates this complex duality, holding space for the audience as they experience the complex emotions that the piece evokes.
The production also includes a standout segment in which Nunziato is joined by a local student for a live debate on whether to abolish or keep the Constitution. This dynamic interaction adds immediacy to the themes of the play, with Nunziato skillfully navigating the conversation between passionate advocacy and reflective critique. This role is shared by several Sacramento-area teens, highlighting the importance of intergenerational dialogue in addressing the flaws of the Constitution.
This production, led by Director Lyndsay Burch (also B Street’s artistic director) and Assistant Director Robert Karma Robinson is well executed from every angle. Each design choice serves the play’s emotional journey, particularly during moments of historical reflection when cast members dig into the Constitution’s more problematic aspects. This is a performance driven by words, framed by world-class production value — a B Street trademark.
In the end, this local production of “What the Constitution Means to Me” is a resounding success, largely thanks to Nunziato’s compelling interpretation and the dynamic, thoughtful performance of Stewart. Together, they elevate Schreck’s already impactful script, creating a call to action. As the play invites audiences to reconsider the Constitution’s place in modern America, this production offers a timely and necessary reminder that democracy is not a static achievement but requires continual refinement.
Burch and B Street Theatre’s decision to bring this production to Sacramento feels particularly meaningful in a time when the very foundation of American democracy is under scrutiny. The performances of Nunziato, Stewart and the student performers encapsulate that tension, urging us to engage in the debate and, perhaps most importantly, to keep fighting for a better future.
His interactions with Nunziato add multilayers of tension, comedy and tenderness, as the two represent different perspectives on the document’s legacy, creating a fascinating push and pull that drives the narrative forward.
The Sofia is an excellent venue for this thought-provoking piece; its thrust stage, which extends into the auditorium, provides immediate intimacy between Nunziato and the audience. The set, a faithful recreation of an American Legion hall, fosters an immediate sense of community between Nunziato, Stewart and the audience, creating an atmosphere of shared reflection. The design allows the focus to rest squarely on the performers while immediately setting a tone that lends itself beautifully to Nunziato and Stewart’s command of the room.
Nunziato’s performance is nothing short of a tour de force. From the moment she steps on stage, she infuses Schreck’s witty dialogue with a warmth and humor that endears her to the audience, all while blending deeply personal revelations and often painful anecdotes about family and constitutional law. In a role that requires both intellectual rigor and emotional depth, Nunziato handles this balancing act with grace. Her moments of direct engagement with the audience are particularly potent, drawing everyone into the debate as active participants rather than passive observers.
Together, Nunziato and Stewart illustrate the central conflict of the play: the Constitution’s promise versus its shortcomings. Stewart adds a surprising layer of heart and humanity to what could have been a rigid, procedural role. He brings a mix of dry humor and quiet authority, allowing the audience to see him as both an enforcer of the old guard and an empathetic witness to Nunziato’s journey, becoming a stand-in for the audience itself.
Stewart’s presence isn’t just about keeping order; it comes to represent the often silent complicity of those who uphold systems without questioning them, and he expertly navigates this complex duality, holding space for the audience as they experience the complex emotions that the piece evokes.
The production also includes a standout segment in which Nunziato is joined by a local student for a live debate on whether to abolish or keep the Constitution. This dynamic interaction adds immediacy to the themes of the play, with Nunziato skillfully navigating the conversation between passionate advocacy and reflective critique. This role is shared by several Sacramento-area teens, highlighting the importance of intergenerational dialogue in addressing the flaws of the Constitution.
This production, led by Director Lyndsay Burch (also B Street’s artistic director) and Assistant Director Robert Karma Robinson is well executed from every angle. Each design choice serves the play’s emotional journey, particularly during moments of historical reflection when cast members dig into the Constitution’s more problematic aspects. This is a performance driven by words, framed by world-class production value — a B Street trademark.
In the end, this local production of “What the Constitution Means to Me” is a resounding success, largely thanks to Nunziato’s compelling interpretation and the dynamic, thoughtful performance of Stewart. Together, they elevate Schreck’s already impactful script, creating a call to action. As the play invites audiences to reconsider the Constitution’s place in modern America, this production offers a timely and necessary reminder that democracy is not a static achievement but requires continual refinement.
Burch and B Street Theatre’s decision to bring this production to Sacramento feels particularly meaningful in a time when the very foundation of American democracy is under scrutiny. The performances of Nunziato, Stewart and the student performers encapsulate that tension, urging us to engage in the debate and, perhaps most importantly, to keep fighting for a better future.
This story was funded by the City of Sacramento’s Arts and Creative Economy Journalism Grant to Solving Sacramento. Following our journalism code of ethics and protocols, the city had no editorial influence over this story and no city official reviewed this story before it was published. Our partners include California Groundbreakers, Capital Public Radio, Outword, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review, Sacramento Observer and Univision 19. Sign up for our “Sac Art Pulse” newsletter here.