CATE BLANCHETT

Dec 11.09

cateblanchetthead200I saw Cate in “Streetcar Named Desire” on Wednesday night. Liv Ullman directed it. I will say right here that it was perhaps the greatest stage performance I have ever seen. It is a limited run and all sold out but rumors are that it may come to Broadway and, if so, don’t miss it. Liv’s direction is perfect as is everything about this production which originated in Sydney Australia where Cate and her husband Andrew have the Sydney Theatre Company. She showed us the unraveling of a fragile woman right before our eyes and did it with not a false moment. I’ve known this was coming cause Liv Ullman told me about it when she came backstage after my “33 Variations.” So I have had my ear to the ground. I intended to go back stage and hug Cate (we became friends when she and Andrew and their then baby son, Dylan, came to my ranch a couple years ago while she was filming in New Mexico. They’d planned to have lunch and ended up staying way into the starry night in the hot tub with me, Pat Mitchell and Scott Seydel). I saw her at the same Brooklyn BAM theatre in Hedda Gabler last year and we went to dinner together. What I so love about both Cate and Andrew is they haven’t an ounce of pretense, divahood– just brilliant, hardworking, regular people with a growing family. Anyway I didn’t go back cause the play is three and a half hours long and I had to catch a really early plane to Atlanta. Boo Hiss.

See You Next Time


11 Responses to “CATE BLANCHETT”

  1. Judi says:
    December 16, 2009 at 6:38 pm

    Jane,

    I have decided that as I turn 65-years old on “our” birthday, that my next job application will be to carry your luggage.

    You see, everything you like, I like and everything you do, I want to do.

    So, if you ever need your luggage carried please allow me to apply.

    Judi

  2. Mary Jane Stone says:
    December 16, 2009 at 7:28 pm

    How far you’ve come since “Sunday in New York.” Now it seems like the world belongs to you. We in South Florida owned a piece of Tennessee Williams for years when he was often in Key West and came to various local theatres to see his own plays performed. Who’d have guessed that this Aussie slant would work so well? I think you guessed. Thanks for sharing your stories and observations. Doesn’t Cate play a great American?

  3. Susan K. says:
    December 16, 2009 at 10:02 pm

    Thank you for writing about this play and seeing Cate. I’ve seen a lot of her movies, and I think she’s one of the best actresses there is in movies now.

    Cate has a certain genuineness in all the characters she plays as well as when she is being interviewed. I think Cate is very comfortable with who she is and what she does. Like you said there is no “pretense or divahood” about her! That’s really so refreshing to see in an actress these days!

    I’d love to see her in that play! It’s great when you share info like this, Jane, and then express your feelings or impressions about something you see and/or do! You take us on a journey with you, and it’s great fun! What a BIG disappointment it must have been for you not to be able to go backstage to see her after the performance!! I’m sure you’ll get to see her another time!

  4. Rob Harrington says:
    December 16, 2009 at 11:22 pm

    I feel so lucky that I got to see her in Streetcar. It’s been sold out for months. She is an amazing actress. I also saw Hedda Gabler and if you are truly interested in theatre, you will see her performances.

  5. Ana says:
    December 17, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    Hi Jane,

    Two great actress. Cate, Liv and YOU. I love !

  6. Karen says:
    December 18, 2009 at 12:06 am

    Glad that you got to see our Cate and that you thought so much of her. I wanted to see her here in Sydney, but tickets sold out within hours. We are very proud of her down here and she is a very under rated actor. She does a lot for people away from the spotlight and she is very real. Her husband Andrew is too. Great play too, hey!

  7. Bill says:
    December 18, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    Jane-
    You really need to check out “The Orphans’ Home Cylce” by Horton Foote. It’s a very lovely, moving piece. It reminds me of the kind your father would have worked so well in (and you of course; “The Dollmaker”. “Comes A Horseman”). I’d seen most of the plays in the cycle, on their own through the years but I’m seeing them through different eyes this time. I guess as I get older I’m understanding the simplicity with which Mr. Foote wrote. I’m trying to learn that lesson!!

    You’re very lucky to have gotten tickets to “Streetcar”. I’m calling everyone I know and promising the most outlandish things…..but still no ticket. Oh, well…..here’s hopin’ for Broadway.

    Still working for marriage equality, here in New Jersey. I’m trying to play nice….It’s amazing how many Senators/Assembly won’t talk to you when they find out you’re not in their district!! Wonder what that’s about?!!

    Take care
    Bill

  8. Roseann Haggerty says:
    December 19, 2009 at 2:03 am

    Jane,

    I absolutely adore Cate Blanchett! What magnificant talent and grace. I look forward
    to seeing the play on Broadway.
    It’s so wonderful how you open up your home to all. You are truely a gatherer,with the gift of making others feel at home/loved.
    Have a Blessed Holiday Season.

  9. Tim C. says:
    December 23, 2009 at 12:51 am

    Wow, if all three of you made a movie that would guarantee one of you an Oscar! I’ll stop with the movie thing.

  10. Rich D'Amico says:
    December 23, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    Thanks Jane. I had the good fortune of seeing this play too and I agree that it was the best performance I have ever seen. Truly amazing. Been meaning to write you for some time. Saw ’33 Variations’ last year and it was a dream come true to see you on stage. Ive been a lifelong fan of yours. Even had pics from ‘Barbarella’ in my locker in high school!!
    All the best to you and Happy Holidays!!!

  11. Alice says:
    February 5, 2010 at 12:50 am

    Jane
    There is no doubt in my mind that your thoughts and Cate Blanchett talent truly make it a spectacular performance. i would love 2 see it.
    However, Vivan Leigh will always be my choice.

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Film, Television & Theater

  • "At age 50, I broke all the career rules and left acting for 15 years. Ten of those years I was married to Ted Turner and after that I spent 5 years writing my memoirs and traveling the world on behalf of women and girls. Needless to say, returning to my profession late in life has been an interesting, exciting and unusual experience! "Monster-in-Law" was my first film after this hiatus and was one of my most fun professional experiences after "9 to 5"! During my 15 year absence, I gained confidence and, as a result, I feel that my acting is better, more nuanced and relaxed than ever."