Wendy Wasserstein’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning play The Heidi Chronicles returns to Broadway March 19 for the first ever revival starring Mad Men fave Elisabeth Moss, Orange Is the New Black and American Pie star Jason Biggs and major New York theatre talents Bryce Pinkham and Tracee Chimo.
The show spans 20 years, following Heidi Holland from high school in the ‘60s to motherhood in the ‘80s (it's so much more than that, but we're just providing a jumping off point here). So when BroadwayBox caught up with the cast, we asked each of them to chart your character’s journey through the play using a pop song from the ‘60s, one from the ‘70s and one from the ‘80s.
Elisabeth Moss (Heidi Holland)
For the ‘60s, I would say “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke because this play is very much about these two important male relationships in her life and it’s a beautiful song; it’s very romantic and dreamy and she had a very romantic view of love when we meet her. For the ‘70s, I would go honestly with Aretha Frank’s “Think.” It’s very stop what you are doing and step up and respect me as a woman, which is very Heidi in the ‘70s. And the ‘80s, I need a song about finding happiness on your own and not tied to a man or a job. Something that says I’m enough. Something by Carly Simon—her music is about being a woman, a strong woman and sometimes a sad or lonely woman.
Jason Biggs (Scoop Rosenbaum)
Whoa! So when we meet Scoop it would be “Play with Fire” by the Stones. In a way I think it's perfect for Scoop because he is this kind of fiery, aggressive guy and his relationship with Heidi is combustible in a way and ultimately a little tragic. In the ‘70s, maybe “Carry On My Wayward Son” by Kansas; Scoop is finding his way and Heidi’s getting stuck in her ideals too much while he carries on. Then in the ‘80s, “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” by Wang Chung, and I don’t even know why—just because.
Bryce Pinkham (Peter Patrone)
For the ‘60s, it would have to be “The Shoop Shoop Song.” It’s so important to Heidi and Peter. A song from the ‘70s, I think something by Janis Joplin would feel right. And the ‘80s, I feel like it’s probably Madonna. By the ‘80s Peter is a leading pediatrician in New York and he’s come out as gay and he’s representing that community.
Ali Ahn (Susan Johnston)
She starts at the dance with “The Shoop Shoop Song” and that’s definitely her. In the ‘70s, I feel like it has to be some girl rock but not Joni Mitchell, she’s too mellow. Oh, she’s Stevie Nicks in the ‘70s. And the ‘80s is mainstream rock and roll like Bon Jovi.
Tracee Chimo (Fran/Molly/Betsy/April)
The ‘80s would be for Fran and it would be “Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa because women are pushing through the boundaries of what society has put up for them. “You are My Sunshine” for the ‘70s and that’s for my character Betsy, who is a strong working lady about to have her first baby. And ‘60s would be “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young.
Leighton Bryan (Jill/Debbie/Lisa)
For the ‘60s, it would be “Tell Him.” In the ‘70s, it would be “Respect” — it’s questioning but it’s also a protest song. And the ‘80s is Carly Simon, but not “Let the River Run,” that’s more for Heidi; my characters are more “Coming Around Again.”
Andy Truschinski (Chris Boxer/Mark/Waiter/Ray)
The‘70s would be the full album of Greetings From Asbury Park by Bruce Springsteen because it touches on a lot of themes and going to Vietnam. ‘80s is “Got My Mind Set on You.” The characters I play have made their choices and they are confident people by the end. And the ‘60s is "The Twist" because of the social networking of dances back then.
Elise Kibler (Becky/Clara/Denise)
The ‘60s for me is that song “Young Girl”—♫ You’re much too young girl♫ ‘70s is Lou Reed; and for the ‘80s, I’m going with any sort of go get ‘em Cyndi Lauper or Madonna song, any one that's like, “go ladies get your shit done.”
The Heidi Chronicles takes audiences through the '60s, '70s and '80s beginning February 23 at Broadway's Music Box Theatre.
