The Cranes Are Flying

The cranes are in front of the Eugene O’Neill getting ready to take down the signage for “Spring Awakening” (the show that preceded us…which I saw twice I liked it so much) and to put up the marquee for “33 Variations.” Lori Elwell, my pixie-like dresser, just asked me how I would feel seeing myself up on a Broadway marquis after 45 years. “Will your feelings be the same as back then or different?” she asked. I had to think about it for a moment. “The same,” I had to reply. “It will seem as surreal now as it did then.” I still find it hard to believe that I have survived all the sturm and drang for the past four decades. I only came to realize later in life the extent to which I didn’t follow the rules proscribed for those who want a successful show biz career. At the height of my most bankable years (24 to 32 yrs) I lived in Paris; then I became very controversial during the following decade, almost entirely eschewing the glamour and Hollywood relationship-building that I now realize is so essential to survival to a long career/See you next time.

Lori Elwell, my dresser, sitting at my makeup table.

Waiting to be mounted.

Waiting to be mounted.

The play billboard–closeup of wrinkles.
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7 Comments
  1. Hello, Jane – In 1989, when you were filming Stanley & Iris, I was living w/my son, Erik on Lake Waramug. I was working as the office manager of the Boulders Inn . Isn’t it amazing that my son now has the privledge of sharing the stage with you. I am looking forward to seeing you and Erik in this wonderful play. My heart is full. Leslie Steele

  2. (S)heroes never follow the rules. 😉 I see by the list of posts to the right that you’ve been blogging exactly a month…shall go back and read through your archives.

  3. Jane,

    Glad you’ve got good work and hope it goes well, break a leg and all that theater stuff!

    I have to say I harbored great disdain for you for a long time, until I heard and read your mea culpas for the Vietnam years.. they were heartfelt and they showed you really understood the pain you had caused the soldiers and their families..

    I consider you to have ‘made good’ that era of heartbreak, and I’m proud of you. You’re a good person and a great actress, a credit to America.. which is way more than I can say for the opportunistic egomaniac John Kerry.. he could learn from you.. 🙂

    I think a crowning glory for you might be a USO tour, standing up in front of the soldiers and taking a few boos while speaking from your heart about them, so today’s military could ‘close the book’ on you. So much misinformation is out there and could be easily ENDED by such a thing on your part.

    Something to consider.

    Be happy, do well, and I hope I get to Bernie Madoff before you do.. 🙂

    best,

    Dave in Dallas

  4. LOVE the photo of you on the poster!

  5. Dear Ms Fonda,

    Wishing you and the entire creative team all the best for 33 Variations. Eight shows a week is a gruelling schedule, and when the run is done, I hope that no matter what you do that it will not have anything to do with the suggestion that Dave from Dallas (of course he has to be from Dallas) made.

    Sincerely,
    Harold from London

  6. Ms. Fonda … welcome back to NYC!

  7. Absolutely love the close-up from the marquee.

    Eschewing the glamor and Hollywood relationship-building is one of the things I love about you. You have strong beliefs and aren’t afraid to stand up for them. I have always been one of your biggest supporters even during the years when many others regarded you with contempt.

    It would be wonderful to see you in this new play I hope it is a great hit!! With you in it how could it be anything else?

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