"What the Constitution Means to Me" at Wildcliff Mansion

On Saturday, July 19th at 6 pm the New Rochelle Council on the Arts will present the Rivertown Players production of What the Constitution Means to Me (rain date July 26th.) This 2019 play – a Pulitzer Prize finalist and winner of the NY Drama Critics Award for Best American Play – “breathes new life into our Constitution.” The play is presented free as part of NRCA's Summer Sounds Concert Series. (For the complete schedule visit www.newrochellearts.org.)

What the Constitution Means to Me is a timely exploration of civic identity: As a teen the playwright earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the U.S., and in this “hilarious, hopeful and achingly human new play” she resurrects her teenage self to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives.

The play will be staged in Wildcliff Mansion, the historic residence at 44 Wildcliff Road designed by prominent architect Alexander Jackson Davis (who also designed Lyndhurst and the Wadsworth Atheneum, among other distinguished buildings): Built around 1852, the 20-room Gothic Revival style “villa” overlooked Long Island Sound. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, the building was destroyed in a fire in 2018; after consulting with building experts the City of New Rochelle opted to reserve the shell of the building and create an open-air event space. Today Wildcliff Mansion has been stabilized and reimagined with modern amenities, including a catering kitchen and bathrooms, making it a unique venue for various events.

Playgoers are invited to come early to picnic on the grounds and enjoy live music starting at 5 pm with musician/performer Bill Steely playing country and Americana favorites, as well as his critically-acclaimed original songs. A limited number of folding chairs will be available -- plan to arrive early or bring your own.

About Rivertowns Playhouse

Inspired by the Small Scale Agriculture Movement, which champions local farmers and markets as alternatives to big corporate agriculture, Rivertowns Playhouse envisions a similar path for the future of American theater. Rivertowns Playhouse believes that professional, high-quality performing arts should be created by, of, and for the people, and be accessible to everyone. Read more about them at https://rivplayhouse.org/about

About the New Rochelle Council on the Arts

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts (NRCA) was created by the New Rochelle City Council in 1975 to stimulate and encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts. For 50 years NRCA has worked to fulfill that mission by sponsoring art exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, and concert series. In addition, NRCA has sponsored public art -- like the popular NRNY Murals downtown and the statue of author E.L. Doctorow at Huguenot Park -- and created ArtsFest, while helping to build relationships between the arts, the business community and city government. NRCA’s programs are made possible, in part, by ArtsWestchester with funds from Westchester County Government, the City of New Rochelle, and the support of community donations, including Golden Grand Sponsor Cappelli Organization and LRC Construction.

NRCA's summer season includes free concerts -- and a curated selection of food trucks -- every Wednesday and Friday night at the Hudson Park bandshell. For NRCA's complete summer schedule go to www.newrochellearts.org.