The Heidi Chronicles

The Heidi Chronicles opened on Broadway in 1989, which meant that the issues presented in the play were very timely and pressing within the historical moment. Imagine reviving the play today. How would you maintain its relevance to a contemporary audience? What holds up? What do you think might need to be changed or cut? Why?

Research the history of second-wave feminism in the United States. What was happening in the feminist movement during the decades of the play? How do these issues interact with the narrative and Heidi’s journey? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

One of the major criticisms of the play when it first opened was that Heidi isn’t a decisive or strong enough feminist voice and that she seems to value the men in her life more than the women. Do you agree or disagree with this criticism? Why? How does her final decision to adopt a child fit into her journey as a feminist? Use evidence from the text to illustrate your argument.