ARTHUR LAURENTS

This is the last performance in Feb. It’s gone by so fast. So guess who saw the show this afternoon and came back to see me? Arthur Laurents!!! He is 90. You’d never believe it. I was surprised that he came because he is in previews for his revival of “West Side Story.” In case you’re too young, Arthur wrote “West Side Story” (and “Gypsy” and the play of his I was in, “Invitation to a March.”) He’s on his pees and Qs, for sure, pointing out to me that in the play’s program, my bio calls his play “Invitation to a Waltz.” Major Oooops. But he made it funny: “Clearly you really are obsessed with Beethoven.” (In the play I am obsessed with Diabelli’s waltz and why Beethoven wrote 33 variations on it.)

Also backstage came Jay Craven, a filmmaker from Vermont, who became my friend back in the early 70s antiwar movement.

The cast was going to party in Chinatown tomorrow after the 3pm show but, at Moises’s suggestion, we postponed. He doesn’t want us tired for next week (critics come). Plus, it’s supposed to be wicked, cold and sleeting weather tomorrow.

Novelists I know have told me over the years how their characters often “get away from them” and write themselves—tell the writer what they want to do and who they are becoming. I thought of this last night and today. I know what my character, Katherine, is supposed to be like, how she is meant to behave. But there are times when I feel like she has taken over and is coming across as someone slightly different and there’s not a thing I seem to be able to do about it. Last night, for instance, she was soooo cool and stiff. The other day she became way more emotional. Moises was there yesterday and said it seemed fine but it is weird and disconcerting.

There is a scene in the second act that I have never felt great about. Last night Moises told me that I was acting it just as he wanted me to and that now all that needs to happen is for me to own its rightness.  So that’s what I am working on now.

My best, longest-known friend is here tonight: Paula Weinstein. I’ve known her for decades. Her mother was a famous film producer, Hannah Weinstein, who gave me my first funding in 1970 when I was opening the GI Office in DC to get help and congressional attention for soldiers’ complaints and problems. Later Hannah called in the favor, asking me to help her fresh-out-of-Columbia daughter, Paula, get a job in Hollywood. Paula became my agent, got me the role in “Julia” (Lillian Hellman was Paula’s godmother), then became a studio executive (took charge of my film “Nine to Five” at Fox), and then a film producer. She was a producer (at my request) on “Monster-in-Law” and fought to not quit till we got it right. We have a long, loving history together.

I hope I don’t fall down or skip a scene.

Stage Manager just called 15 minutes (till curtain goes up) so…
See you next time.

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13 Comments
  1. I saw the play on Feb 24th. I went not really knowing what the play was about. A friend took us. Anyway, it struck me so deeply that I can’t stop thinking about it. My father is/was a violinist and is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s. I thought thru the course of play how much he would love the story of the music, yet feeling the pain of the parallel of the declining health of the characters. Bittersweet evening. One of the principal duties of the actor in the live theatre is to put the audience members in touch with themselves. The actors give and take as well as the audience, it’s an all win exchange. You supremely conquered on Tuesday, Feb 24th, 2009.

  2. Beethoven wrote 33 variations on the Diabelli theme and he didn’t peak in one of them. He didn’t peak because he always had someplace further to go.
    Have you heard them? Do you believe it ?!

    To be way emotional is not to peak but it can be.
    To be cool and stiff is Jane Fonda beiing cool and stiff and if one seat creaking somewhere in the house can be heard and then another over there it can mean only one thing, “Jane Fonda’s got ’em!”

  3. being told to own rightness when it’s not right is like being told to pretend the burr stuck in your sock isn’t there…seems to me you know what is, or isn’t right because your inside voice already told you – you know that voice, Jane…the one that demands attention – it’s the voice that wants your gift to soar…

  4. Seems like things are going well. I think people can tell from seeing the play and writing your blog you are very connected with this play. Good luck wit the critics, but you don’t need it because it sounds fantastic!
    Kelsey

  5. I LOVED you in Monster-in-law…..really, really, funny. I had no idea you were so good at comedy. Your natural intensity worked to your advantage, as it usually does in comedy. You really let it rip. It must have been sooo much fun to do…yes? (*…~)

  6. Jane,

    One of the things I love about theatre is that each performance is unique. Do you think that the emotional shift in your character, Katherine, has to do with the change in audience and/or possibly the interaction with your co-stars?

    There are plays I’ve seen multiple times and each show is often different; the overall tone can shift depending on the reaction the audience gives to the performers. Sometimes one line causes everyone to laugh which lightens the mood on stage, and another time the same line might fall flat.

    In any case, my guess is that Katherine is a highly complex character to play. I haven’t seen the show yet, but from everything you’ve said and everything I’ve read, she sounds quite intricate.

    I think it’s a safe bet that you’re doing justice to the essence of your character. I’ve never seen you in anything I didn’t love.

    Best,
    Amanda

  7. it doesn’t surprise me that Katherine has displayed such a wide range of behaviors and moods already. isn’t one of the big thrills about doing live theatre that you get to reinvent/explore/develop your character at every performance? thank you for sharing like this. we are enthralled.

  8. Love your Blog Jane, glad I found it.
    I muddle through mine..
    I have only been to NYC once many years ago with my BFF, we had planned on going back someday but she developed a severe infection and died within a week.
    It has been 10 years and I still haven’t made it back, maybe someday.
    Have enjoyed seeing you on the various talk shows.

  9. Somehow I feel confident Ms.Fonda, that your professional orbit will continue surging beyond your 90th, even as you stand as a Laurents, to another generation. As we develop, and more than a few lives have felt a direct influence, it is natural to measure. Can you truly ask for more than to have a synopsis where you have tried, enjoyed, succeeded and had a few failures or backfires, in order to taste the sweet? Are you/we truly fulfilled in a sense of unconditional reward? How will a role like this, prepare you/us for the next 20 years? Is it a challenge, realizing that as you stretch your capacity to achieve an ultimate performance, life may someday place you in a role; the thought or method process never imagined? The beauty of spiritual growth which does not peak, is the most everlasting. This comment I base on Atlanta Jane, since I have not yet been able to see the play (I certainly hope to). Like little prayers; a single name, a few words, or deeds, do not go unnoticed or appreciated. Sending the gift of a hug, to be measured by the warmth it brings. It’s snowing today in Atlanta.

  10. I am really enjoying the blog,twitter, and more. Very happy to see that you are returned to B’way. It seems like a very interesting play from your descriptions on The View, and in the blog.

    I suppose the part I am enjoying most is seeing your inner excitement at being on stage, learning these new Web 2.0 tools, and sharing with us.

    You have jumped into the stream of consciousness mode with all of this faster than almost anyone I have seen who has joined it. Thanks for setting such a great example!

  11. “Lillian Hellman was Paula’s godmother.” Get out! I adore Lillian Hellman. I can’t tell you. My Lord, what a small world.
    I think your circle of friends is absolutely fabulous. Long-time friendships like that are so enriching to the soul in this journey we call Life.

  12. I saw the evening show on the 28th and I was amazed. Like many others I just can’t stop thinking about it. Congratulations on your return to Broadway, and break a leg for the reviewers!

  13. Jane

    You forgot to mention that Arthur had a hand in “Funny Girl” and of course “The Way We Were….

    Haha

    Take care

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