In this essay, Petrusso discusses the weakness of the female characters and the dominant role of the male characters in Wasserstein's play; this unbalanced power structure is reflective of traditional views of male/female roles in society.

Despite its reputation as a feminist play, the male characters and their values dominate The Heidi Chronicles. In a review of the original Broadway production, Cathleen McGuigan said in Theatre Journal called Heidi passive and claimed the play "gives them [men] all the best lines." Many of Heidi's choices are made for and defined by men. Indeed, her role in many scenes is limited to a reactive one; she responds to the sentiments of her male counterparts. Save Heidi, the women in the play are reduced to stereotypes: aggressive businesswomen, single-minded feminists, doting wife and mother. They are often regarded as the weakest part of the play.

The problem...