Change versus constancy is accentuated this weekend as No Refund Theatre (NRT) presents the decade-jumping play The Heidi Chronicles at 8 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday in 111 Forum.

Telling the tale of a woman, Heidi, coming of age and dealing with the ever-changing social scene, The Heidi Chronicles includes many defining events in American history and the ways they shape different people. Each scene shows a different period in Heidi's life and how those around her are affected by the shifting times.

"As all the people around her go through different changes, the whole time Heidi is still herself but trying to find herself at the same time," director Julia Hynes (senior-women studies and sociology) said. "She tries to remain who she is by retaining what she stands for."

The character of Heidi is extremely difficult to portray, Hynes added, because of her unbalanced attitudes: she feels the need to stick to her beliefs no matter what, yet she is still searching for her identity.

"At one point, she says, 'Do you ever feel that what makes you a person is also what keeps you from being a person?' " Hynes said.

Also, Heidi learns to realize the dichotomy between being herself and being happy and satisfied with her life.

"A lot of people our age could relate to it," Hynes said. "It forces you to think about struggles between doing what you have to do and what you want to do."

Interestingly, the play focuses on major events not in Heidi's life, but in the lives of people around her or society.

Michaela Reardon (junior-theatre), who plays Heidi, described her character as a spectator of sorts, observing the action of the play and remaining a constant.

"A number of characters go through great changes in who they are and how they view the world as the decades change extremely," Reardon said. "Heidi never does that, she just keeps evolving."

Reardon said the character of Heidi is easy to relate to. By staying true to herself and always traveling down the middle path, she never really makes a stand because she doesn't choose a side.

"She is an observer and an outsider in her own chronicle," Reardon said. "At one point, we blocked it and I realized, I'm never in the center. I'm always on the outside."

In addition to the personal concerns, strong undertones of feminism are present as the show navigates the women's movement and Heidi correspondingly majors in women's art.

Representing just one of the value conflicts, that Heidi experiences, she falls for a horrible man who is completely wrong for her.

"She's attracted to him, and it's strange because her whole belief system is how you have to stand up for yourself, find independence and be strong," Hynes said.

One of the characters who undergoes a more tangible struggle is Heidi's gay best friend Peter, played by Warren Smith (sophomore-architecture).

Peter becomes a pediatrician and is seemingly managing a stable life, when he is drastically affected by the changing landscape.

"[Peter] breaks down as a lot of his friends cope with AIDS in the '70s and '80s," Smith said. "He isn't necessarily a strong person, but his defenses are strong."

Smith added that it is interesting to see the types of changes Heidi experiences versus what everyone else endures. However, he said that despite the serious themes, the play was very witty.

Reardon agreed and said it promises to be an entertaining event.

"I think it's a play people can enjoy," Reardon said. "It's not anything that is going to break their hearts.
It's a really interesting piece of art telling this story that many people can relate to."