RIDGEFIELD — Ridgefield Theater Barn is continuing its 60th season of performances with a production of What the Constitution Means to Me. Performances continue until February 15.

Written by Heidi Schreck, the play is partially based on her own life, specifically her experiences as a teenager earning money for college by winning debate competitions about the US Constitution across the country. What the Constitution Means to Me has Heidi (played by Ann Alford) take the audience through vivid snapshots and memories of her life, performing some scenes as her 15-year-old self participating in a debate competition and others as her middle-aged self contemplating on what the Constitution means to her and others. As she pages through her life, Heidi traces the relationship between the generations of women in her family and the landmark founding document in a thought-provoking, heartfelt production.

As heavy as the premise sounds, the cast and production team tackle it with relentless enthusiasm and a playful edge that informs as much as it entertains under the direction of Nancy Limbacher Meyer.

As Heidi, Alford takes center stage for most of the show, and captures the witty and lively energy the role calls for. Whenever Heidi talks about the Constitution, she gets overtaken by childlike wonder and energetically talks about different amendments or historical events.

Alford sells that wild passion, waving her arms and pacing around the stage as she concludes argument after argument. She strongly balances being upbeat and humorous with being composed and controlled when the situation calls for it. Alford’s genuine enthusiasm shines through in every smile, making Heidi a joy to watch on the stage.

So much of the show is driven by Heidi, but one would be remiss to not highlight the Legionnaire (Timothy Huber) or the Debater (Zoe Guaman). The Legionnaire is the straight-laced moderator for the Constitutional debate Heidi frames herself in, and the two share several funny back-and-forths over the course of the show, particularly through Huber’s strong gestures and facial expressions at Alford’s amusing antics. Huber actually represents the role of the Legionnaire through another character named Mike, which is where he really gets to shine through a poignant monologue touching on sexuality and masculinity. For someone suddenly introduced just over halfway through the show, Mike only connects with the audience as quickly as he does through Huber’s confident and earnest delivery.

The end of the play transitions into a real live debate between Alford, who does the rest of the play as herself, and Guaman, a student from Stamford High School who has done debate since the sixth grade. In a one-on-one debate moderated by Huber, Alford and Guaman argue whether or not the Constitution should be abolished.

The audience plays the role of the jury, and is encouraged by the performers to participate in the debate. Whenever either Alford or Guaman say something that really resonates with them, audience members can clap, cheer, whistle, boo, and so on to show how they feel. At the end of the debate, one audience member is selected by the performers to declare the final verdict.

Guaman is fantastic as the Debater, with her whip-smart personality and easygoing confidence as a great foil to Alford. The energy she brings to the table is a large part of what makes the ending debate as fun to watch as it is.

This connection with the audience shows in more than just the debate section at the end of the play, it also carries over into the simple and charming set. The set décor brings the stage to life as an American Legion hall where students are ready to debate. Several chairs and two small wooden tables are spread out across the stage, with half-wooden, half-plain walls lining the background. Most of the photographs decorating the walls are from Ridgefield American Legion Post #78, given to the production by Commander George Besse.

The cast takes advantage of all the space on set, walking from the wooden podium positioned center stage to the sides of the stage, where they can take a sip of water. The stage is also close enough to the audience that, sometimes, an actor will step out into the aisle while performing.

That inherent intimacy of the small set helps elevate the show and every topic it covers. The cast weaves through subjects such as women’s rights, domestic abuse, immigration, and more, but in a way that feels accessible to anyone regardless of how much they personally know about history. Each “Barnbill” — Ridgefield Theater Barn’s playbill — has a short glossary featuring some of the terms mentioned in the show. Synopses of the Constitution are later passed out to help the audience follow along.

What the Constitution Means to Me is a whirlwind marathon of a production that is as timely and challenging as it is endearing and funny. Ridgefield Theater Barn’s production is deeply human through the relentless enthusiasm the cast and crew show towards the subject matter, and is well worth admission.

What the Constitution Means to Me continues until Saturday, February 15, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and a “pay-what-you-want” matinee performance on Sunday, February 9, at 5 pm. Tickets are $35 for adults and $30 for seniors, students, and veterans. All sales are final.

Ridgefield Theater Barn is at 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield. Housed in a rustic converted dairy barn leased from the town of Ridgefield, the Barn hosts comedies, dramas, and musicals while maintaining a production schedule of four shows per year. For more information, visit ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org, call 203-431-9850, or email info@ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org.

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.