Hard

Actors are people, too. Some of the rest of us sometimes forget that. Get feeling better soon, take care of yourself, be good to yourself, and remember that you are important to yourself and to others.

There are millions of people on this planet who have enjoyed and appreciated what you have worked so hard to bring to us. The blog just brings us one step closer. We’re all linked as people. Get well. @katriord on Twitter

Hi Jane,

Hope soup and a good night’s rest work their magic for you. The encouraging news is I had a similar experience myself yesterday as I was working on script changes for my live lecture coming up that evening.

With that flu-ish feeling I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep it down. Then I just had to go to bed right after I finished talking. The night’s rest made for a much better day today which has been busier than heck.

I hope your experience is similar and you wake up energized and feeling better for the next day.

PS I never had any doubt that actors earn their keep! And I’d like to thank you for your generosity in sharing your world with us through the blog as I’m really enjoying it tremendously.

The play sounds absolutely fantastic and I’m glad you’re enjoying the work. Take care — a Canadian fan.

I wish I could afford a flight from London to NY to come and see 33 Variations – it sounds fantastic!
It also sounds like all that hard work is well worth it. Hope you pick up soon.x

Did you see Ridel’s comments about the show on TT a couple of weeks ago?

I knew it, Dag Gone Shipping Fever! Take it eazy.

Jane,

I was at Wednesday’s matinee and let me tell you we did indeed love the show.

I was incredibly moved on so many levels and amazed how tight the show was in spite of the changes you keep discussing. This show truly touched my heart.

I can’t find any aspect that is not up to par with the amazing acting and story line that MK has delivered to us. His writing itself I found to be musical…particularly at the end of Act I. The set was so beautifully fluid and interesting. I’m not a huge fan of “projections” per se, but they worked so well. I was particularly taken by the incredible sound design…it was so intrinsic in setting the moods.

I keep my own blog and have yet to write my review of 33 Variataions because I am so intrigued and turning things over in my mind, still digesting the beauty. (I hope to have it done before today’s end.)

I wish you nothing but continued success with 33 Variations and that the entire production is lauded for its incredible work. I hope to see this again before the run is up to see future developments.

Thank you for your commitment to your craft and for this beautiful piece of art (not to mention taking the time to blog about it!)

— Anita

Saw last nite’s performance (Feb 19) and was blown away. Author-director Moises Kaufman made a brief speech before the beginning of the play to explain that shows in previews are usually undergoing changes: adding lines, cutting lines. With that kind of advance warning, I was prepared for some unevenness. But the performance was flawless. I bought tickets because I wanted to see Jane Fonda on stage and I had no idea whatthe play was going to be about. The biggest compliment I can give the play is that it would have been great even if Fonda was not in the cast. In many ways it reminds me of ANGELS IN AMERICA: thought-provoking, daring, original. You leave wanting to read the script because its just jam-packed with fascinating facts and ideas. There is no weak member among the small cast of seven, they are all sensational. Fonda is marvelous–she’s assured and relaxed and handles a tremendous amount of dialogue (much directed directly to the audience like in WIT) with ease. She looks 40 and fit. As the play progresses and her character’s ALS disease begins to sap her muscles, she’s subtle, unsentimental and very moving. I’m glad I bought tickets before I was laid off two weeks ago. Now I have even more of an incentive to get a new job–I want to be able to buy tickets to see 33 VARIATIONS again once its frozen. Buy your tickets now!

Saw last nite’s performance (Feb 19) and was blown away. Author-director Moises Kaufman made a brief speech before the beginning of the play to explain that shows in previews are usually undergoing changes: adding lines, cutting lines. With that kind of advance warning, I was prepared for some unevenness. But the performance was flawless. I bought tickets because I wanted to see Jane Fonda on stage and I had no idea what the play was going to be about. The biggest compliment I can give the play is that it would have been great even if Fonda was not in the cast. In many ways it reminds me of ANGELS IN AMERICA: thought-provoking, daring, original. You leave wanting to read the script because its just jam-packed with fascinating facts and ideas. There is no weak member among the small cast of seven, they are all sensational. Fonda is marvelous–she’s assured and relaxed and handles a tremendous amount of dialogue (much directed directly to the audience like in WIT) with ease. She looks 40 and fit. As the play progresses and her character’s ALS disease begins to sap her muscles, she’s subtle, unsentimental and very moving. It’s a performance you won’t forget. I’m glad I bought tickets before I was laid off two weeks ago. Now I have even more of an incentive to get a new job–I want to be able to buy tickets to see 33 VARIATIONS again once its frozen. Buy your tickets now!

Your a special lady…Roy uk.

Sorry you are getting sick…eat lots of ginger and drink chrysanthemum tea! so many people have viral bronchitis from what is going around…stay warm and don’t underestimate it…looking forward to seeing the play when I can come to NYC…

http://abandoned-orphaned.typepad.com/paulmyhill/2009/02/whisky-cognac-o.html

I just started “investigating” your blog and was interested in your activism section, esp. against violence against women. I am choosing to make myself more aware of the whole human trafficking issue in the world and the above link is to a site that I think would interest you.

Jane,
I was there Tuesday night for Tulea’s Bway debut. It was charming! I love your choices in this role. Just finished reading tomorrow’s Sunday Times article “Radical Vixen Retakes the Stage.” (What assholes they are, those NYT headline writers). Here’s who I think Katherine is: a month ago I was in Egypt on assignment and was guided by a young 22-year-old Egyptologist who is working for his PhD. He pointed to one particular 3,000-year-old statue of Ramses II which was lying on the ground in pieces, as long as a semi truck. “That,” he said, pointing to the statue, “is my life’s work. I hope they will save it for me to restore after I graduate.” He was so resolute — like Katherine — and he will succeed. Like him, Katherine has found her passion. That’s why she must solve the mystery of the Variations. Just my take. I am coming to hear you speak Monday night (2/23) at NYTimes and will introduce myself. I have followed the periphery of your life: when you were dubbing Barbarella at Billancort- Bologne, I was there with my then husband, the blacklisted John Berry (he was much older). When you were at a charity dinner with Ted at the Met, I was a table away with my corporate lawyer husband. I am in awe of whom you have become.
Thanks. Margie Goldsmith

Dear Ms. Fonda,
This is my first BLOG.

Your life has served as an inspiration for me since you were about 25 and I was 21. I’m a life-long fellow actress — never having had to work outside this wonderful profession. This is about you, but I guess I have the insecurity to want to establish my legitimacy. There are many parallels in my life to yours, such as the death of my father on my 13th birthday. My husband of 32 years is 13 years younger than me and we have a 27 year old son. With menopause I lost my figure which I make sporadic efforts to regain. My husband continues to tell me how beautiful I am and how sad it is that so many mature actors result to plastic surgery to try to retain or regain their 25 year old selves. I have only kind of believed him…….

UNTIL….you made your simple, OPEN, unadorned — here I stand, this is me, actor, woman, mother, thinker, believer –entrance at the matinée I saw this Wednesday. You took my breath away. You have never been more beautiful than you are this moment. A flower goes through many stages. You made me see, really see, what beauty is. You are the fully open rose with it’s center exposed, all the petals open, delicately fragranced, erect and, ( I’m not a writer) just open, open, open. A true transparency. I’m actually sitting weeping with the relief of the realization. It doesn’t matter what other actors think about the accumulation of the years, you have figured out who you are. I wish I could.

I hope you go on Colbert again. I saw the last appearance that totally flumoxed him, but the one that was the best was the one with Steinam. You just stood there making that pie and Steiman didn’t have a clue about what to say or do; and Colbert didn’t know what HIT him. He was so totally not in control. I actually applauded the TV.

I’ve been in seven Broadway plays and
I do a lot of voice work, I’ve recorded more than 750 books and used to be major in voice overs — so I have a little acquaintance with celebrities. You wear your celebrity like a comfortable cape that you can drape or enwrap or simply drop at whim.

Brava on your performance. I hope the play is a wonderful success for you. You are serving the play well. I read The Sunday Times’ article this morning and my first thought was that sometimes you get a part where you can serve yourself as well as the play. When I think about your roles, you mostly get or TAKE the ones that mainly serve the film (On Golden Pond, 9 to 5, Julia) or as you are now doing in 33 Variations….but you do it really well and real actors and real thinkers will know that and recognize the subtlety and simplicity and transparency of your performance. Brava. Thank you.

Gratefully yours, Catherine Byers

Hope you are feeling much better. I am seeing the show on Tuesday and looking forward to it very much. Also attending your NYT speaking engagement Monday evening. From “Tall Story” on, I’ve been a huge fan of you and your family, and your life. Always thought a lot of your Dad too. Met him once, but would have liked to know him.
Bill