LAST SHOW BEFORE PREVIEWS

Our first run through with a small invited audience in Los Angeles. My Daughter-in-law took this of the audience waiting for the show to start.

They are a good generous audience. They’ve laughed a lot. It is intermission. Troy is away on a job so Simone’s here alone. She’s seen it 3 times already–2 years ago in New York. I wanted to get her take on this time out.

Zach Grenier, who plays Beethoven, told me “it’s great to have an audience. The audience teaches you the play.” It’s true. It is how and when you hear and feel the audience that you know what is resonating and what isn’t.


Photo our writer/director took during rehearsals last week

Tulea is out in the audience with her pet sitter, Liz Leonard. I bet she sits up at attention when she sees me come onstage.

Tomorrow is the official first preview. Whew!


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15 Comments

  1. Hi Jane,
    Just wanted to say “break a leg” – and let the audience buoy you the way they absolutely will!

    Best wishes for an outstanding preview… looking forward to hearing all about it.

    Thanks for sharing the pictures and the details – it makes me miss acting and perhaps I’ll consider doing some theater here again. Thanks for the (unintended) nudge. 😉 I remember being backstage and saying to my castmates “do they have a pulse??” And then the next night, nonstop laughter in the same spot… funny how that is.

    Cheers,
    Catherine
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Mill Valley, California

  2. Just got back from seeing your performance tonight. What a great play! I absolutely loved it and you were super awesome. Break a leg with the run!

  3. LOVE the back drop, if that is what you call it.

    Wish you all would go on Tour- and come to Fort Lauderdale, FL. We have beautiful theaters here. You would be surprised how nice they are.

    Good luck Jane! Go get ’em !!

  4. How wonderful! I can feel the excitement, the climb of anticipation for the big opening day! How fun to read! Thank you for sharing your journey! And Tulea, I’m sure you are very proud of your mother! You’ll be excited too, but try not to run on stage! 🙂

  5. Hello Jane,
    I sure that you will be so busy that you may not be able to read this, but I liked your little remarks on on Acting and Audience.
    Was reading a book on acting “Reframing screen performance” / Cynthia Baron and Sharon Marie . Covering areas “…actors hiding their virtuosity from the audience in order to
    make it appear that realistic characters lived on stage.” The text is coverig a wide range of subjects.”Antoine argued that stage sets had to be “brought back to the actual dimensions of
    scenes of contemporary life” so that actors could “play in true-to-life settings, without the constant need to strike poses in the customary sense of the word.” This is interesting “performances too result from ideologically informed but conscious decisions made by individuals. As long as live performance alone is identified with training, experience, and craft…”
    Anyways here is a link to the text – http://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015082696561

  6. Howdy –

    Just read the LA Times article about you and 33 Variations. I have my matinee tickets for 2/13 and I feel the excitement building. Reading your blog when you began it, I recall being so envious of the folks in New York who got to see the show on Broadway and now, finally it’s my turn.

    I think your idea about working in cable is perfect – a great way to satisfy all your fans who would love to get a weekly dose of the magic that comes from watching a character evolve over time. I’ve certainly enjoyed watching your evolution – from your mid-2nd act (marathon meetings in EIPJ; shopping for costumes for the “Fascinating Woman” stint on KCET; driving around the state with Caroline and Len Chandler for the slide show) up through the present. I can hardly wait for the 13th.

    Stephanie

  7. Dear Ms. Fonda,

    I just waned to wish you well in the LA premiere of 33 Variations. I saw it in NY and loved it and was so moved by your performance and the rest of the cast. Thank you for sharing your life with us on your blog. You continue to brighten my days.

    Best wishes,

    Louis

  8. I just want to thank you for the inspiration you have given me to recover from a radical mastectomy in l980. I have full range of motion in my arm and I believe it is due to your excellent exercise videos and your “can-do” spirit. My husband and I are very much looking forward to being in the audience for the matinee performance of 33 Variations on Feb. 5. By the way, when anyone asks me how I feel about getting older, I say: I’m the same age as Jane Fonda, Tina Turner and Ann Margaret…how can that be bad?

  9. You will be wonderful, as always!

  10. Just read the article about you in today’s LA Times, so cool you’re blogging. I’m seeing the play tonight: break a leg!

  11. Break a leg Jane! I’m thrilled my parents get to experience the magic and the message I got to in NYC. Here’s to a great run and to never getting soggy!

    All the best,

    Matthew

    PS. Regarding insomnia, when I had a bout a while back, my dear friend recommend that I tell myself out loud, “Tonight I will have a restful night’s sleep” at bedtime. It worked for me, really. Mind over Matt/er!

  12. Hi Jane,
    Loved the show last night! Although I didn’t realize I had purchased tickets for a “preview” performance (I thought it was opening night), it was a fabulous show. I noticed a line at the end when you said Shakespeare and then changed it to Beethoven — but for the most part it seemed flawless. Your performance was amazing.
    Good luck with the remaining shows!

    your fan,
    lisa 🙂

  13. I saw the show Saturday night. Absolutely brilliant. I was totally captivated by the play and the performances and the designs. It isn’t often that you get a production that is a success in every area but this one is, a complete success. I will be telling everyone to see this show. Thank you so much for your hard work and the hard work of the entire team that brought this wonderful production to Los Angeles.

  14. This was a completely absorbing evening and very much a visceral experience. I loved the script which I found so deep on many levels, and I loved that it treated Beethoven so honestly. The cast is extremely strong–Jane Fonda giving a tour de force performance–and one could not help but be wowed by Zach Grenier as Beethoven. The production is bright and witty, beautifully directed. Thanks to all for such sheer pleasure.
    Robert

  15. Well, It’s almost here!! We see you tomorrow night!! Are you chatting afterwards? Break a leg!!
    Rita

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