Diane Von Furstenberg came backstage after the show, very moved, enthusiastic and generous about the play.
Moises was here tonight, too. It’s been 2 weeks since he’s seen the play. He felt good about it but has notes that he’ll give us tomorrow. I will call him when I wake up. I love getting his feedback. His mother was with him and it made me feel good when she whispered to me that she thought I had gotten better in the role. Well, it does happen that, with time, we can sink deeper into it. I guess it could get stale, too. But the themes of this play continue to inspire me. Not that every performance is optimum but every performance can be informed-infused- with the beauty of the themes.
I told Moises that I blogged the other day about feeling abandoned by him and jealous that he was on to new projects. I was interested that he, in turn, said that tonight, watching the play, he felt “abandoned” in the sense that the play, like a fledgling bird, has grown wings and is flying without him. I can understand that. I had somewhat the same sensation when I cut about 300 pages from my memoir prior to it’s being published. I read it as though looking through someone else’s glasses so that it became removed from me–someone else’s story. It is an extremely interesting process, this process of creation, and I feel so fortunate to be part of a creative community.
I gotta say, before I sign off, I would kill for Diane Von Furstenberg’s cheekbones. OMG!!
See ya next time.
James Adams
Thank you so much for your blog….I check it every day!
You have no reason to be jealous of Diane Von Furstenberg’s looks….even though she is a beauty!
Amanda
Jane,
It’s interesting how there’s this whole parent-child relationship in the creative process. You felt abandoned by Moises when he left (just as a child would if their parent went away) and he had a similar reaction after having seen the play for the first time in a while (his project doesn’t really “belong” to him anymore, the play he created is now shared with so many other individuals because of the creative process, and now it’s evolved beyond him). Very fascinating!
I love that you blog about all of this!
Best,
Amanda
Timothy Dougherty
You had me thinking about Art school , after years of drawing and drawing you create reams of paper tablets and you may have hundreds of drawings than you get down to edit them. I found that there was only ten or fifteen undergraduate drawings that were of any value in a portfolio.After years sometimes you learn what is value in content over studies of errors .
Angela Easterling
I have felt that way about songs I’ve written, when someone comes up to me and tells me what the song means to them and it’s not what I intended at all. Or when other musicians come in to play with me and their performance brings out something in my music I never realized was there. It’s amazing to see something you created take on a life of its own.
I’m seeing “33 Variations” tonight for the 2nd time and am so glad I can, there are so many fascinating and moving aspects of it to absorb and some especially beautiful speeches, beautiful language, I will be glad to hear again. It is such a dynamic show. Bravo!
Lee
It would be really fascinating to have all the women with daughters (famous and not) who see your play to have a place to post their thoughts and feelings after seeing the play about their own relationships with their daughters.
I have often wondered this about actors and whether playing a certain role helps in their “real” life Has playing this character helped you in your relationship with your own daughter?
Sophie
You would kill for HERS? I would kill for YOURS!
nell carr
I was at the matinee 3/25 and heard the cell phone but the actors didnt miss a beat as far as i saw. A riveting experience, you couldnt miss a word. If a play makes one want to listen and read more about the subject then this sure succeeds. Jane, you are the reason I went and you are a miracle..
Laura
Thanks so much for your blog Jane, but I think your cheekbones are better…lol. Take care.
Michael Nile, Birmingham, England
Jane, I really do feel that this blog, down the line, could (and should!) be absorbed into two separate writing projects: Your prime-time-living book, and something called, perhaps ‘An Actor’s Diary’ — I am finding your candour and insights on life within ’33 Variations’ totally fascinating. Please put these thoughts and experiences of yours into an old-fashioned book that I can hold!
And while you’re about it, please give us also those missing 300 pages from your memoirs. I’d love to read an updated addendum to My Life So Far.
I saw the 71-year-old British actress (Dame) Diana Rigg being interviewed on the subject of aging today. She was inspiring…
“Age is no joke — and I am a pensioner! But… how you approach it is what REALLY matters. And do you know, from time to time, I look at my arms, and that kind of wingo thing that swings underneath them… and I kiss myself! Yes, I kiss myself. I do that because my body has served me really well! And I say ‘thank you’ to it from time to time. You must! You must! What’s the alternative? Hating yourself? Being ashamed of yourself? Why?
“I had an eye operation when I was 45… had my eyes jacked up… but since then I haven’t done Botox or exercised. I think ‘the secret’ is… being curious. I think ‘the secret’ is finding all sorts of things in life that are interesting, and pursuing them. The brain!… and you know, (acting-wise) from 50 onwards has been absolutely wonderful.”
Kelsey
Ha! Jane, I love you. And, you’re just as beautiful!!!!
Seriously, you almost gave me a heart attack saying you cut 300 pages of your memoir! I loved that book and would have killed to read more!!! I hope you write more books. You seem to be the best to talk to about father/daughter relationships and adolecents. You truely are the best!
Kathleen O'Shea
I don’t know where else to write this, so I hope you receive this short note. I just finished reading/listening to your autobiography and loved it. Thank you for writing it and being so honest about your feelings and your life. I am always amazed by the commonality of women’s experiences, despite our overt differences. You are a wonderful role model and an inspiration to all women. I’m looking forward to reading your new book when you finish it. All the best with your play. Sincerely, Kathleen
Idoia
Reading your blog posts, I can perceive that not only you cope with technology, but also you’re enjoying while writing about your experience back to Broadway. Receiving visitors backstage every single day must be something really moving, exciting, even if you’re feeling exhausted after every performance. I’m happy to see that an actress has such energy beyond her sixties, and sooo many long-time friends and acquaintances. We’re lucky the web lets you share this amazing adventure with us…
susan
“I would kill for Diane Von Furstenberg’s cheekbones” Why? Your softness is much more attractive. You are much prettier the way you are.
Jay
I was there (March 26th)…it was awesome..!
Jason
Hi Jane!
Why are you obsessed by cheekbones? You are such a beautiful woman. And you have such fantastic skin tone. How do you do it???
By the way, am coming from Germany to see the show on 28th April. I’m a flight attendant, have requested JFK as a stopover and have just booked a ticket.
Can’t wait. Take care
Jason
p.s. there’s a German magazine called Bunte which is similar to People magazine. Nearly every time they talk about you they mention the fact that you are a heart attack survivor. Last year they did a special on women and heart attacks and inserted your picture and mentioned you as a survivor. I wanted to contact you in order to tell you about this wrongdoing, but I had no contact address for you. I just wanted to let you know.
Mary Jane Stone
Again so great to catch up on your life. Glad the group from your foundation was there to admire the play. Liv Ulllmann has long been a favorite of mine. A nasty ex-cowoker talks nasty about her–he’s a UN basher. Fooey. I’m honored to be in the company of the fans whose pictures you post. I’m an ESL tutor working in Pembroke Pines, Fllorida–trying to do my part for immigrants as they learn English. Quite a nunber aspire to resume professions that they have done well in in other countries One of my current favorites is a Pre-K teacher from Columbiia. As she improves her English day by day I feel happy to be a part of her success. Again, YOU ARE THE BEST, AND YOU INSPIRE YOUR ADMIRERS TO DO THEIR BEST.