Last night my friend Jessica Neuwirth came (again) to the play and brought Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. I have heard so much about Navi from my friends and was excited to meet her. She invited me to visit her in Geneva and I think I will try to do that on the way to or from Bonn and the UNESCO Gala in Düsseldorf Germany next November.
From left to right: Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Me, Jessica Neuwirth and Taina Bien-Aime, Executive Director of Equality Now
(photo: Michael Rudd)
Moises, our writer/director came to the show last night. He is in the city for just 24 hours and today he flies back to L.A. where he is rehearsing his new play, “Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo” which opens mid-May. I will be able to see it in June when I am out there. We stayed and talked for awhile and then headed out to join Samantha at Joe Allen’s. As we crossed the darkened stage, Moises looked out into the empty theatre and said, “stop for a minute, Jane, and listen.” We both stood and listened to the intense silence. A pregnant silence. “I love this silence,” he said. “It’s so full of possibilities.”
With Samantha was a close friend of hers, Sandy Stern, who was one of the producers of several of my favorite films: “Saved,” “Being John Malkovich,” and “Pump up the Volume.” It was a fun time and Don Amendolia joined us.
It is hard for me, knowing there is so little time left to play this woman I have come to love so much. Hard to believe.
See you next time.
Elizabeth
I loved “Saved”!
Karen
Make a movie of the play Jane and then you can play her again and we can watch her again and again! I know what you mean though. When I write a story I get attached to the characters and I don’t want to finish writing about them. Sometimes I write “sequels” so that I can hold onto them for a bit longer. My friends go crook on me when I bump off one of their favourite characters in a story. Teenagers in the library (particularly ones from broken homes), say that they like books that come in series so that they can keep following their favourite people – they become like friends and family to them.
Joe
I was struck by your last sentence. I wonder how it must feel to know that you are “running out of time” playing this woman who is “running out of time” in trying to unlock the mystery of a genius who was also “running out of time.”
The play for me was such an interesting meditation on how we make meaning in our lives – with the time we are given. I am moved that you are dealing with the plays issues of impending loss in a personal way… perhaps your character can give you comfort. I know it did me.
Best, Joe
Barbara
Jane,
You are so the real deal.
May all these amazing women and their good and loving works be ALWAYS
Steve
Hi Jane,
I hope this reaches you well!
Can you walk us through what it is like to leave a character you have been playing either in a movie or on stage? I am imagining it is extremely difficult and almost depressing.
What types of things do you do/thoughts to prepare for the disconnect? I am really bummed I won’t be able to see your play 🙁 I wanted to so badly, but can’t find the time to make it to NYC, life is a little to hectic right now.
Best,
Steve
Donna Stroop
Can you all make a movie adapted from the play?
Kelsey
I wish this play could have traveled! That would have been great. I hope the last few weeks of it go by…slow. Then you can enjoy it!
-Kelsey
Amanda
If I can’t believe the show will be over in three weeks, then I won’t even begin to fathom how you’re feeling about this limited time, Jane. I’m so happy you decided to be a part of this show, as it is quite special and unique, and because it was wonderful to finally see you perform live (a first in my lifetime). I hope that you return to the stage again…don’t wait another 40+ years!
Best,
Amanda
Hannah Castellaw
I booked the flight to NYC and bought the ticket to the play (5th row) and now Mama iis in the hospital. She is improving although they tell me her dementia is so advanced that she may not have very long to live. She is only 71. I’ve been staying at the hospital and reading The Year of Magical Thinking and I am blown away by Joan Didion’s accounts of dealing with hospitals/doctors/diagnoses and her experience with grief and mourning. (We have a very similar approach to it all. Knowledge and information.) I hadn’t heard of this book until your blog, Jane, and then a friend lent it to me while I was in the hospital a month ago. Amazing.
I am grappling with whether or not to fly to NYC on the 12th. Time with Mama is precious. It is only a 2 day trip, but I do not like going even 1 day without seeing Mama. She is amazing. She is my hero. I keep reminding myself that she would definitely want me to go. I could ask her right now if she were in one of her more lucid moments and she would say, “Go!”
We’ll see how she is doing. I have to constantly remind myself to live in the moment, be present, and accept what comes as it comes. The Buddhists got in going on, no doubt.
Love to all,
Hannah
Martha
My husband and I saw 33 VARIATIONS on Sunday 4/26. We were deeply moved by the play from beginning to end: the performances, the writing, the staging, the music – everything was perfectly orchestrated in the way only great plays and great actors can combine to deliver a wonderful theatrical experience. And Ms. Fonda, it was a treat to see you performing live on stage. Thank you. Martha
Barbara
Jane,
You are the real deal!
May all these women surrounding us be protected in love and light. All success on their journey’s of healing this planet and all its inhabitants.
Barbara
Timothy Dougherty
Human rights have been a real time interest in my studies, Strange I recall John carradine telling me to go see your father and take about Art and Acting(knowing he was a painter) to him that was back in the later 70’s and he said go right up he was his friend , I had that idea at the time but learned about his health problems and how the whole family was there and did not what to seem to create a problem at that time. But I could have meet you and that would have been a added good for me. People change skins over a lifetime one over another or they just falloff in the end it gets down to the bones.
Crys
I really like reading you blog and hope you continue.
I have my own blog and I tend to use it as a type of therapy for myself… an outlet. Although as not to hurt friends and family’s feelings, I do have to censor sometimes.
Arian
Jane,
I love your blog. I also love following you on twitter.
I’m currently in the production of Bengal Tiger and I can’t wait for you to check it out. Moises has done some really cool work.
You’re amazing. And keep up this cyber-reality. It’s truly amazing.