Two plays featuring the constitution and the Supreme Court in one week? What better time than now, when both things seem more in danger than ever. Over in Bloomington, Artistry is doing a fantastic production of the smart, funny, devastatingly relevant
What the Constitution Means to Me, about one woman's relationship with our founding document. She discusses many aspects of it, including the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade, and the majority opinion written by
Justice Harry Blackmun. How fortuitous, then, that right now in St. Paul you can see History Theatre's remount of their 2013 play
Courting Harry, written by prolific local playwright Lee Blessing. In a funny, engaging, and inspiring 80 minutes, we get to know Harry and his lifelong friend
Chief Justice Warren Burger. But the play is also depressing, when you think about how much has changed in our country in the 13 years since this play premiered, specifically the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, something Harry spent his life defending and assures us in the play (now ironically) will never fall, and the current state of the Court, partisan and political as it was never meant to be. This is a perfect time for History Theatre to bring back
Courting Harry, which gives insight into the proceedings of the Supreme Court and the people, flawed humans like all of us, behind it (
continuing through June 7).
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| the Court (photo by Rick Spaulding) |
Harry Blackmun was a bit of a pack rat - upon his death he left behind over 1500 boxes containing a half a million documents, both personal and professional. The stage at the History Theatre is filled with boxes overflowing huge shelves. Harry begins to tell his story to the audience and is interrupted by Warren, a sort of afterlife conversation. Four researchers in white coats sift through the documents, making notes, pulling out pertinent letters and reading from them to support the story. It's very well-choreographed and a clever way to add interest to the story and make it more than just two people talking in an empty room. We meet a few other characters played by the ensemble, including Harry's mother and daughter, and presidents Nixon and Clinton. When Harry is appointed to the Supreme Court, everyone puts on a black robe to illustrate that part of the story, with justices coming and going through the years like a game of musical chairs. Remaining constant through it all are Harry and Warren, growing further and further apart, until they, too, move on.*
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Minnesota Twins: John Middleton as
Harry Blackmun and Pearce Bunting as
Warren Burger (photo by Rick Spaulding) |
History Theatre wisely brought back the original director and scenic designer Joel Sass, who infuses this potentially dry story about politics and law with lightness, play, and humor, while not ignoring the seriousness of the topics discussed. Most of the cast is new, including John Middleton embodying the affable everyman Harry, and an imposing Pearce Bunting as the stern (but also hilarious) Warren. E.J. Subkoviak is the one returning cast member, reprising his role in the ensemble with a couple of fun presidential impersonations. He's joined in this production by Bonni Allen, Jonathan Feld, and Eva Gemlo, and even though they don't have a lot to do, having them there really fills out this world, from their reactions to the two men's conversations/arguments, to donning the robes of multiple justices.
The set begins as an empty room, until Harry's archives are brought in on four huge shelves, and illuminated surrounded the proscenium. Boxes upon boxes of documents fill the space, and the ensemble keeps busy digging through them. Suits, business casual wear, white lab coats, and black justice robes comprise the neat and appropriate costume design. (Scenic design by Joel Sass, props design by Kirby Moore, costume design by Meghan Kent, lighting design by Marcus Dillard, sound design by C. Andrew Mayer).
Thirteen years after this play premiered and the proposed bust of Harry Blackmun (across from Burger's bust) is still not in place in the Minnesota State Capitol, presumably because of his staunch defense of the now overturned Roe v. Wade, which is egregious. He served for 24 years on the highest court in the land, defending the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community, not based on party affiliation but his interpretation of the constitution and belief in what's right and ethical. That's a rare thing in 2026, and should absolutely earn him a permanent place in the Capitol. But until then, Courting Harry is a crisp, succinct, illuminating, and engaging tribute to the man and the justice.
*Plot summary borrowed from my review of the 2013 production.
