Directed by Julie Heaton

The Heidi Chronicles is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Director's Note

The Heidi Chronicles is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play, written in 1988. I’ve been familiar with the title for quite some time, but finally read it about a year ago and was amazed at how well I could relate to it. Although the events of the play date back as much as 50+ years, the themes and challenges of the female experience were so familiar. I felt like I not only knew her, I could almost be her.

Chronicle, defined: a factual written account of important or historical events in the order of their occurrence.

We start with a look at the awkward teenage years, the longing to belong despite the typical insecurities that come with the high school experience. I don’t know about you, but yep, been there. We move next to the early college years, where she tries to figure out who she is, all the while influenced by friends, politics, and no longer her childhood home – yes, I remember this experience too. Eventually, she finds herself in love (in different ways of course) with two men – one who is gay, and one who will never settle down - he really just enjoys the brief, no-strings attached encounters. Well, this is not ideal… Fast forward to career establishment, the mid-30’s, the ever relentless “biological clock” in the background of real life-changing, career-catapulting opportunities, shadowed by more relationships that “didn’t work out” and baby showers to remind her of all the things she still hasn’t achieved yet. This. Is. Exhausting.

Wendy Wasserstein perfectly captures the life and ambitions of women everywhere, both in the workplace and home, both single and married, both gay and straight, both maternal or otherwise. I think the really relatable theme for me, is this question of whether or not women are allowed to “have it all.” And what does “having it all” actually look like? Does building a happy and fulfilling life ever really look like what we thought it was going to? Probably not. I think Heidi shows us that, and that it’s okay

I’m grateful for what Heidi has taught me these last several months and I hope you find the same. I hope you walk away tonight asking yourself what it means for YOU to have it all. May you find the career, the partner, the fertility, the connections, and all the opportunity you desire. And may you be secure in knowing that you are the ONLY one who can decide what your happiness looks like, and the courage to make it happen. Enjoy the show.

~Julie Heaton