Jane Fonda » Grapes of Wrath Opera

“GRAPES” WAS A SMASH

Jane — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:17:22 +0000

People really liked it. I liked doing it. I LOVED doing it. It was an honor. A small group gathered in the dressing room and then more gathered at the post party. I’m too tired to write more and still sick so—to bed, perchance to dream but at least we go to sleep with millions more Americans having health care insurance. Whew! THAT was at least an important step away from the core of “Grapes of Wrath” when greed ran rampant and children starved to death in fertile orchards of California.

the projections of depression era photos on the wall above the stage

me with Nathan Gunn who played Tom Joad.

American Orchestra and a projection

looking out into the Carnegie Hall audience (sans people)

with Christine Ebersole

HIlton Als and friends with me and Nat Bickford.

Hilton Als, and friends along with my in-laws, Boswell and Dee Bent, Nat Bickford in the background and Patti Bosworth next to me

the 'actors' doctor, Dr Barry Cohen

... with Roger Friedman

Conductor Ted Sperling and David Hyde Pierce

Elizabeth Futral, Alex Schwartz, behind Alex is Christine Ebersole, Victoria Clark, Nathan Gunn, Matthew Worth, me, Ricky Ian Gordon (composer), Sean Panikkar, Stephen Powell, Andrew Wilkowske

INTERMISSION

Jane — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:34:11 +0000

It seems to have gone well. More applause than I expected after the numbers–richly deserved, I think. My cold is affecting me quite a bit and it showed once in my throat and I came in too early on one cue when I didn’t expect the applause but, what the heck. Everyone’s having a good time and liking the show. Christine Ebersole has the audience’s heart. I can feel it. She’s just that way. I tried to see Richard out there. He’s supposed to be sitting with Catherine Keener. I hope she made it. She was flying in tonight from california. Could see Annette and Joe Allen but that’s all amongst the dozen or more friends out there. I don’t want it to show that I’m looking out into the audience. Don’t think the narrator would do that but, then, I’ve never had this role before. I forgot to ask the director if the narrator has to remain neutral or can enjoy what’s happening but since this feels a little like a family history evening I’m throwing caution to the wind and enjoying it. More later. Xx

Carnegie Hall

Jane — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:21:11 +0000

I am sitting in my dressing room about to go on stage at Carnegie Hall, narrating the concert opera of “Grapes of Wrath.” I am so excited bevause it’s such a powerful show with so much talent. Everyone has been so nice. For everyone, performing at Carnegie Hall is a life’s dream. I love this show. I hope one day the full opera can be done in New York as it was in Minnesota. I have loved getting to know Christine Ebersole. She is lit from within, basks in a golden glow–like marilyn monroe used to, but Christine is grounded and solid (and deeply talented to boot!) I can hear the musicians warming up. The stage manager just called 15 minutes. Feels like being on Broadway last year. I have missed it. I can hear the audience coming in. I will go down now to prepare and will blog at intermission about how the first act went.

See you then. X

Grapes of Wrath Opera

Jane — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:23:17 +0000

This is going to be a powerful event. So much talent. There’s the 160 member Collegiate Chorale with members from eighty-year-olds to high school students. There’s the 62 member American Symphony Orchestra. There’s the script by Michael Korie based on John Steinbeck’s book and the music by Ricky Ian Gordon. There’s Nathan Gunn playing Tom Joad and Victoria Clark as Ma Joad and Christine Ebersole as Mae the waitress. All so powerful and (alas) timely. I feel honored to be part of it. I went to lunch today with Christine Ebersole and Michael Korie and they are both so utterly fascinating and profound. I’m sick and on antibiotics but I know I’ll feel better tomorrow and, even if I don’t, I am so glad I agreed to be in this. Dad would be happy. There’ll be more photos tomorrow. I have lots of friends coming.

Ted Sperling conducting

The American Symphony Orchestra and the Collegite Chorale

See you then

For more info and to purchase tickets please visit: http://collegiatechorale.org/

Busy, Busy, Busy

Jane — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:12:45 +0000

Time flies. No time since Oscars to blog. The time fast approaching when I will tape my new exercise DVDs for boomers and seniors. I have been rehearsing, working on choreography, choosing music, what to wear. You blogger friends have been extremely helpful in dissuading me from doing retro–the leg warmers, etc from past times…35 years ago!!! Hard to believe. I was the first and now they do these exercise programs with their eyes closed. We did it on spit and prayer. Fortunately it worked–still the highest grossing home video of all time–17 million copies. Timing is everything! I actually made 23 videos in all up till 1994 when life with Ted made it too hard to find the time but I’ve stayed fit and my new hip and knee are behaving very well. The demographic I’m targeting has been left out and we’re becoming the most significant market. More of us over 60 than ever before and we’re fitter and wanting to stay that way or get there. My mantra: it’s never too late to get active and fit and feel good about yourself and feel you’re in control of your body if nothing else and you can get rid of depression. So many pluses and our numbers are growing and we need to be paid attention to.   Then there’s my book, (“The Third Act: Entering Prime Time“) that I have to finish by end of April and the opera of “Grapes of Wrath” which I am narrating one night only at Carnegie Hall with symphony orchestra and singers that will include–hooray– Christine Ebersole!!! Fortunately my daughter and grandkids are coming out for spring break. I’ll take them to magic castle–I am a freak for great magic and I have seen slight of hand and illusionists there that make me gasp. And of course Disneyland. And then helping my daughter find a wedding dress…ah yes, love is in the air. I am so happy. Busy but happy. Hope the same for you.  

See you next time

KENNY VANCE AND THE PLANOTONES

Jane — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:55:16 +0000

The other night Richard and I went to Cerritos to hear a concert by Kenny Vance and the Planotones. Both from Brooklyn, Richard and Kenny have been friends since Richard graduated from University of Michigan and Kenny launched his long career as a doo wop artist with many popular hits. They were both in the iconic music movie, American Hot Wax. Before the Planotones, Kenny’s band was Jay and the Americans and their hits included “Only in America,” “Come a Little bit Closer” and “Cara Mia.” Kenny’s voice remains pure and strong and quite amazing in its range. Over time he has lost none of his charisma or vocal uniqueness. And he’s rangy and funny as he quips and plays between songs. The audience loved him and the band. We will see him again when I narrate the one-night-only performance of the Opera “Grapes of Wrath” at Carnegie Hall March 22nd. I am doing this as a way to honor my father and his Tom Joad. Kenny will attend with us.

Richard, me and Kenny

With Kenny and the Planotones

With Kenny, his granddaughter and son

A GALA FOR SING FOR HOPE

Jane — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:48:08 +0000

Click here to view some photos of event

Don’t know who everyone shown here is but Dr Muhammad Yunus is the founder of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh whose work is lifting women out of poverty. He is now bringing his work to cities in the US. He is a Nobel Laureate. Dr Yunus’s daughter, Monica, is a co-founder of the non-profit and an opera singer. Billy Jean King was there as well as Martha Stewart whose nephew now works with this non-profit, “Sing For Hope”, which brings art—music, dance, actors, poetry– to children and to hospital patients who would otherwise be bereft of art. All the fine, professional artists donate their time and talent. The great Opera singer, Renee Fleming has been deeply involved with “Sing For Hope”’from the beginning. Composer Ricky Ian Gordon was on piano and Camille Zamora and Joshua Hopkins sang a piece from the opera, “Grapes of Wrath.” Ricky Ian Gordon has composed the opera that will be performed with a symphony orchestra one night only at Carnegie Hall the end of March. I will be the narrator. I agreed to do it as an honor to my father who immortalized Tom Joad in John Ford’s movie “Grapes of Wrath.”

click here for an article about the event: http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/11/nightlight-sing-for-hope-gala.html
Whom You Know: NIGHTLIGHT: Sing for Hope Gala was a Resounding Success! Songs for Our Future led by Chair Eva Haller and Co-Founders Monica Yunus and Camille Zamora Honor Renee Fleming, Jane Fonda, Reynold Levy and Muhammad Yunus in an evening of Arts Activism in Action in Lincoln Center November 21st. Special Surprise Birthday Guest: Billie Jean King