The Heidi Chronicles

by Wendy Wasserstein

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Heidi Holland

Heidi Holland is the protagonist around whom The Heidi Chronicles revolves, portrayed from adolescence through middle age, across the 1960s to the 1980s. As an adult, she is a distinguished art historian and essayist teaching at Columbia University. Her educational journey begins at Miss Crain’s School in Chicago during the mid-1960s, continues with an undergraduate degree from Vassar, and culminates in the art history graduate program at Yale in the early 1970s. Heidi's professional life is dedicated to advocating for greater recognition of female artists. Her activism includes participating in protests at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1974, authoring the book And the Light Floods in from the Left in the late 1970s, leading the Women’s Art group in 1982, and curating an exhibition on Lila Cabot Perry in 1984.

Despite her professional successes, Heidi often feels like an observer in her own life, grappling with disillusionment concerning her place in society, the women's movement, and her quest for personal happiness. By 1986, Heidi experiences a sense of isolation and dissatisfaction with societal norms that stifle individual potential. Her profound friendships with Peter Patrone and Susan Johnston, along with her intricate relationship with Scoop Rosenbaum, are central to her story. In 1988, seeking fulfillment and a nurturing environment for the next generation, she adopts a Panamanian infant named Judy, hoping to offer her a supportive upbringing.

Scoop Rosenbaum

Scoop Rosenbaum is an influential and self-assured figure in Heidi's life, first encountered at a 1967 Eugene McCarthy fundraiser in New Hampshire. An Exeter graduate and Princeton dropout, Scoop is known for his tendency to grade everything from food to people. Professionally, he serves as editor in chief of The Liberated Earth News and later becomes the prominent editor of Boomer magazine, catering to the Baby Boomer demographic. His relationship with Heidi is marked by both mutual attraction and tension, as his arrogant demeanor both draws and repels her.

During his tenure as a Yale law student in 1970 and later as a Supreme Court clerk in 1974, Scoop shares a sexual relationship with Heidi but opts to marry Lisa Friedlander, whom he views as less competitive. His marriage does not curb his infidelities, including an affair with a graphics assistant in 1980. By 1982, Scoop and Lisa have two children, Maggie and Pierre. Despite growing estrangement from Heidi during the 1980s, he reaches out to her in 1988 as he embarks on a congressional campaign, marking another chapter in his pursuit of power. His sale of Boomer highlights his enduring quest for influence.

Peter Patrone

Peter Patrone stands out as one of Heidi's closest confidants, characterized by his sharp wit and sardonic outlook. Their friendship begins at a high school dance where Peter is intrigued by Heidi's apparent disinterest. Open about his sexuality, Peter reveals his relationship with fellow doctor Stanley Zinc and pursues a successful career in medicine. By 1982, he is recognized as "The Best Pediatrician in New York Under Forty" and becomes chief of pediatrics at New York Hospital. His commitment to addressing the AIDS crisis leads him to establish a specialized unit for children affected by the disease.

Peter's friendship with Heidi remains steadfast despite occasional disagreements. He plays a pivotal role in supporting her adoption of Judy and persuades her to remain in New York City amid the personal and professional challenges each faces. His dedication to his patients and to Heidi exemplifies his compassionate nature.

Susan Johnston

Susan Johnston, a high school friend of Heidi, is known for her volatile career path and evolving political views. Initially characterized by her boy-craziness, Susan's...

(This entire section contains 989 words.)

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involvement in the Huron Street Ann Arbor Consciousness Raising Rap Group marks the beginning of her engagement with feminist ideas. Initially planning to launch a women's legal journal, she chooses instead to engage with the system by joiningThe Law Review. She later leaves her Supreme Court clerkship alongside Scoop in 1974 to join a collective in Montana, eventually transitioning into the corporate sphere after business school.

By 1980, Susan has become the executive vice president of a new production company in Los Angeles. Her career trajectory sees her embrace the role of a high-powered executive by 1984, her focus on personal ambition leading her to dismiss Heidi’s emotional needs. She offers Heidi the opportunity to consult on a sitcom about female artists, demonstrating her shift toward a more transactional and power-driven mindset, despite claiming her corporate efforts are for the greater good of women.

Lisa Friedlander

Lisa Friedlander, Scoop Rosenbaum's spouse, is an award-winning children's book illustrator. She embraces her role as a homemaker, managing their household and raising their children, Maggie and Pierre. Despite her cheerful disposition, Lisa is troubled by Scoop’s infidelities, particularly when she is pregnant. Nevertheless, she remains a supportive partner, effectively balancing the challenges of family life.

Denise

Denise, Lisa’s younger sister, forges her career in media production, initially working on the talk show Hello New York from 1980 to 1982, where Heidi, Scoop, and Peter are featured as representatives of the Baby Boomer generation. By 1984, Denise secures a position as a story editor for Susan Johnston, using her expertise in television to aid Susan in her Hollywood pursuits.

Jill, Fran, and Becky Groves

Jill, Fran, and Becky Groves are key members of the Huron Street Ann Arbor Consciousness Raising Rap Group, which plays a crucial role in shaping Heidi’s feminist consciousness. Jill, a forty-year-old housewife, Fran, a thirty-year-old lesbian physicist, and Becky Groves, a seventeen-year-old high school student coping with an abusive boyfriend, each contribute to the diverse tapestry of the group’s dynamics. Their varied backgrounds offer invaluable perspectives that deepen Heidi's understanding and commitment to feminist ideals.

April Lambert

April Lambert is the host of the talk show Hello New York, which addresses generational perspectives. She is married to David Lambert, a leading real estate mogul in Manhattan. Their lives intersect with those of Scoop Rosenbaum, as David's business interests align with the broader themes explored in The Heidi Chronicles.

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