Wendy Wasserstein presents a realistic picture of feminism without the rigid perspective often depicted in the media, for better or worse.
Heidi (Amy Earhart) is a baby boomer. She’s also a feminist, joining the activism from the 1960s during Eugene McCarthy’s presidential campaign of ’68. McCarthy opposes the US involvement in the Vietnam war. Concurrently, a women’s liberation movement demanding equal pay and birth control rights is taking place. Professionally, Heidi wants to become an art historian.
Heidi joins a group of women that support each other in their pursuit of female liberation. The play follows the lives of these women through the decades. Wasserstein treats feminism without a Manichaean angle. Rather, she explores the subject matter trying to grasp the gray areas of life, when things like jobs, marriages, and society start to modify ideals.
The play shows Heidi’s relationship with two men that become important influences in her life. Peter (Hudson Long), a gay doctor, becomes her close friend and supporter, “If we can’t marry, let’s be great friends” they tell each other. Scoop (Alex Scyocurka) an editor who tends to grade everything, becomes her lover and a kind of a subject in her study of male complexities.
Heidi’s female friends become successful in their careers, some of them working within the male establishment to change the system. But the strength of that hope gets diluted with the passing of time, as they settle down in their careers, get married, and have children. Meanwhile, Heidi stays single and childless, working as an art historian and exploring different romantic relationships.
Director Brent Beerman and the main actors, Earhart, Long, and Scyocurka show Wasserstein’s point of view of looking at feminism as aspirational in the concept state, but a constant struggle as an achievement in real life. Earhart exposes Heidi’s underlying strengths and vulnerabilities. The same applies to Long as Peter and Scyocurka as Scoop. Beerman makes sure to have his three actors highlight the insecurities of the characters and the evasive pursuit of happiness. Costumer Shon LeBlanc does a fantastic job recreating the costumes of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
The script itself references historical figures of the art, political, and literary worlds. The language and humor are intellectual, limiting a wider reach, feeling more like a niche piece. Regardless, this play is relevant and a reminder that activism is a long run rather than a sprint, with mixed results in the end.
The Heidi Chronicles
The Group Rep Theatre (Main Stage)
10900 Burbank Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
July 25 – August 31, 2025
Fridays and Saturdays 8pm; Sundays 2pm
Tickets: thegrouprep.com
Written by Wendy Wasserstein
Directed by Brent Beerman
Produced by Melissa Strauss for The Group Rep.
Cast: Kathi Chaplar (Debbie, Jill, Lisa), Amy Earhart (Heidi), Amy Goldring (April, Betsy, Becky), Hudson Long (Peter), Michelle McGregor (Molly, Fran, Clara, Denise), Maxwell Oliver (Chris, Mark, TV Attendant, Waiter, Ray), Alex Scyocurka (Scoop), and Amy Shaughnessy (Susan).
Creative team: Brent Beerman (Director/Properties Design), Melissa Strauss (Producer/Alternate Stage Manager), Kathi Chaplar (Set Design), Robbie
Miles (Lighting Design), Shon LeBlanc (Costume Design), Krys Fehervari (Wig Design), John Harvey (Sound Design).
