Comments on: BREAK A LEG

By: Michael Joseph Pieper

Michael Joseph Pieper — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:39:32 +0000

Hello Jane, this has been a fascinating topic.

I learned so much more than I expected to regarding the origins of the phrase break a leg.

It was always my understanding that the phrase originated from the great Hollywood musical, 42nd Street.

Where Ruby Keeler’s character is understudy to Ginger Rogers character who breaks her leg just hours before the opening of their Broadway show.

How refreshing to find out that this wonderful tradition echoes along the vast corridor of theatrical history.

By: Idoia

Idoia — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:13:34 +0000

Spanish tradition in Theatre leads to another really unusual way of wishing luck. We say : “MUCHA MIERDA” (it means, more or less, “LOTS OF SHIT”). Funny, but it has its sense. As I have heard, when people used horsecars, having a lot of horse shit in the street in front of the theatre meant that the play attracted a lot of audience that had reached the place in horsecars (they didn’t leak oil but.. *LOL*).

From Spain,
SeeYaLatah.pax

By: Christine from Manila

Christine from Manila — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:08:48 +0000

Thanks for the info about the tradition of saying “break a leg”.

You’re quite a lady.

By: lesle

lesle — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:37:27 +0000

Ms. Fonda,

In the video, what are the rows of paper hanging upstage?

Thank you.

By: Lucinda Riva

Lucinda Riva — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:28:53 +0000

Love your blog; I read it everyday as a tiny precious gift to myself!
As I grew up in the Broadway musical community, my dad,
Dort Clark, urged us, his four little daughters, not to say “break a leg” to our “aunties and uncles”, his fellow cast members because he thought it sounded a bit violent and disrespectful coming from children to adult professionals!
But we were allowed to say “Merde!”, which when I learned the meaning, felt awesome! Because it was French and also a swearword, we felt doubly privileged!

By: Mary Jane Stone

Mary Jane Stone — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:08:20 +0000

Lovely to read the short tribute to Natasha Richardson. Jane, you must surely have strong feelings about her two sons losing their mother at the ages that they are after the tragic loss of your mother when you were near the same age. How wise and strong and successful you have become. And not just as an actress, but as a family woman and activist. I so admire your foundation. In the great tradition of the theatre the show must go on, but I know that all on Broadway are feeling the loss of one of their own. I am a longtime, adoring fan. Keep a’goin Jane, as the ole song says.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:42:06 +0000

This was fun! I’ve been an actress for 26 years and I had no idea where this term came from. Actually, I never really thought about it much. Thanks for sharing and…dare I say it…Break a leg! )

By: Penn Gates

Penn Gates — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:33:33 +0000

I too, am deeply saddened by Natasha Richardson’s death. So wrong, such a loss to her family and friends..

On another item, thank you for the detailed info on “break a leg.” Personally, I’ve always thought of it as a superstition in reverse, expecting the worst and getting the best instead.

Take care, and I send more good wishes for your continued success in 33 Variations, to wit: Break a leg.

By: dippi

dippi — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:45:56 +0000

This comment isn’t about todays “topic”. I said a few days ago that I found it more interesting that JF has a blog than about the play. I want to take that back. I do think that the play is an interesting subject. Is what the play is posted earlier in the blog? What is it about? I guess I should read the earlier posts!

By: Zanna

Zanna — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:29:39 +0000

Now that you’ve autopsied “break a leg” all over, inside out and upside-down, would you like to tackle “standing ovation” ?

(BTW “Klute” is my favorite Jane Fonda movie.)