Memories

Normally we’d be doing a matinee today, it being Wednesday. But by performing Monday, usually a dark day, we’ll have our 8 shows this week without the matinee. Instead, I did photo shoots for the New York Times, USA Today and Associated Press this morning. I don’t much like being photographed but it went quite fast and smoothly though the jury’s out till I see the photos. Sometimes I feel like Native Americans are said to feel about having their picture taken: That it robs them of their soul. Tough luck, Fonda. It’s part of the job.

Speaking of photos, Patti Bosworth brought me this Xerox of a photo that Irving Penn took of my father and me in 1960 when I was about to open in my first Broadway play.

I’ve been thinking more than usual about Dad, remembering that he didn’t just like being on Broadway. He would take his plays on tour—sometimes for many months at a time. This is almost unheard of these days…for a movie star to not just do Broadway plays but to take them on the road. My brother and I spent several Christmases in cities like Detroit where Dad would maintain his holiday ritual of whipping up Lux Soap Flakes and water to just the right consistency to make snow for every branch of the trees he’d bring “home” to the dreary hotels road companies put their actors up in.

Our producer, David Binder, came back after the show last night and told me that he thought it went well despite the fact that second night of previews is usually like falling off a cliff—the rush of adrenaline after the virgin voyage with an audience is lacking so things tend to sag. I hadn’t felt very good about the show so this made me feel better—ah, it’s not just me. Still, responses from last night both on this blog as well as from friends of cast members have been coming in all day and are very positive.

More cuts were made today and we rehearsed all the second act transitions so. I’ll wager the play will be 5 minutes shorter tonight.

Goodbye for now. It’s nap time with Tulea—who just got back from the groomer.

See you next time.

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26 Comments
  1. Greetings.
    love your blog today it speaks Volumes..Have a peaceful week & keep blooming!

    Thank you for doing such amazing work & sharing your art with the world.

    Live in the Light,

    Sima Flower

  2. Irving Penn was such a wonderful photographer. I wouldn’t mind all that much if he stole a bit of my soul, painful as that sounds.

  3. Hi Ms. Fonda. I am so glad I found your blog. Thank you for sharing your “view from the inside”. Fascinating.

    I haven’t always agreed with you but I have always liked you and enjoyed your work. Maybe I will be able to see you on Broadway. I was in NYC a couple of years ago and by happenstance we saw Spring Awakening at the O’Neil.

    BTW, My mother used to make the snow out of Ivory Soap flakes :o)

  4. Jane Fonda, I’ve known you all my adult life, always from far away but with respect and admiration. Thank you for the honor of sharing this latest journey with us. Your gracious generosity of spirit and growing awareness of self provide energy and inspiration to me. How truly exciting!
    Peace and grace,
    beth

  5. I so love reading you during all the moments of this event. I’m coming to NY very soon, just to see you in this show. Why? In short… If I was Rosie O’Donnell, you’d be my Barbra!

  6. Hey Jane, Great show Tuesday. I came on a whim and had an incredible evening in the theatre. A memory that will last a lifetime. Thanks!

  7. Dear Ms. Fonda,
    Speaking about your father; I recall a vivid experience as a youngster, watching his movie ‘Drums along the Mohawk’ (1939). Learning later that it depicted an actual dramatic historic event for the country and your family. Oriskany, 1777, was the only battle of the Revolution fought between Americans (patriots vs loyalists).
    Also that your family’s history is connected to the town of Fonda (pop. 800) on the banks of the nearby Mohawk.

    love & respect

  8. We saw your amazing show last night, the 2nd night of previews. My husband and I were at Beethoven’s house in Bonn, looking at the most worn ivories determining what his favorite keys were. You brought us right back with your amazing show. We absolutely loved it. Congratulations!!!! Love Ei & Aart

  9. I LOVE this picture of you and your dad.

  10. I love you Jane, I always have and always will. I love your dad and peter too! I am enjoying reading your blog – keep it up, Jan (from Blairsville, Georgia)

  11. Read about your blog in AJC
    would love to see you do the play in Atlanta!Break a leg and the best to you and the rest of the cast,glad that Rosy and Lily talked you into doing this.

  12. Just saw your father and you in On Golden Pond last night, and I loved him! what an Ocar-wrothy performance. And of course, I cried when you made peace with him at the end 🙂

  13. I am in awe of your energy and I’m a young 52 year old. Energy-wise I have found a huge boost by taking a Source Naturals product called “Enadalert” which is a sublingual form of vitamin B-3. Very effective. The first time I took it I felt as though I had put on an oxygen tank and was able to carry through the day without dropping at the end of it. Please give it a try if you are needing extra energy. No side effects. Makes nap time all the more effective! Thank you for your blog. God Bless, Jane

  14. Love this photo. When I was in my 20s and about the travel the world, my dad gave me a card with a sweet little girl on the front, and he wrote, To me you’ll always be the little girl on the front of this card. I know it took a lot for him to write that, and I get a pang when I think of it. Thank You for sharing your stories with us. I really enjoyed your book, and look forward your updates.

  15. What a beautiful photo of the two of you. I’ve had such a complicated relationship with my own father…that Penn image of your father looking straight ahead and you with your arms around his neck made me feel the tug of what I’ve been chasing my whole life…just trying to get his attention. I hope your father was able to give you whatever you needed as his daughter…since he gave so much to the many who loved him deeply as a performer.

  16. I adore that photo. Memories are priceless.

    Happy Napping.

  17. I have enjoyed reading your blog and hearing about the details involved in your work. Also love the pic of you and your dad….so sweet!

  18. Ms. Fonda,

    Word is spreading like wildfire about your incredible performance and your hearfelt blogging. Thank you for sharing your talents and your insights.

    I hear you are simply drop dead gorgeous and the saddest part of the play is know that underneath the deteriorating health of your character is such a vital and vivacious women.

    Much success to you in this play. Please follow your Dad’s lead and take the show on tour! We’d love to see you close to home.

  19. Jane, you’ve been working like crazy and from what I gather reading your blog it’s been a challenging, productive rehearsal process. I send you my sincere best wishes, and hope you’re able to enjoy the work you’ve done as you share it with the audience. Am not overstating the case when I say you are one of the world’s great actresses. Now that you’re finally back in the spotlight working your craft I know the moment to moment give and take you’ll share with the audience will bring great satisfaction to one and all. With all my respect, Break a leg. Nick

  20. Have you by any chance seen the HBO documentary Three Sisters searching for a Cure? It is about an amazing woman named Jenifer Estess who had ALS?

  21. Dear Ms. Fonda,

    I saw last night’s (February 11) preview, and I was quite simply blown away! The show was a feast for the eyes and ears. And your performance was nothing short of masterful. I am currently studying acting (in part, because of something I read in your autobiography, which inspired me to just go for it!), and I now have an even greater appreciation of just how difficult it is to pull off the kind of performance that you must give in Act II. (I don’t want to spoil the surprise for folks who may be reading these comments, so I’ll just say that your skill in attacking the physical aspects of your character’s evolution–while continuing to project into a theater with thousands of audience member–had me on the floor.) The play is moving, intelligent, and lavishly beautiful. It reminded me of why I love the theater and why I have chosen to pursue it as a career (despite all of the sacrifices that this entails!).

    Keep up the good work! I wish you and the entire cast and crew a long and fruitful run!

    Best,

    Robert Keller

  22. Saw the play last night…your ease on the stage blew me away…and you’ve nailed the character. Just as she says in the play, we can see her come alive when she talks and communicates about music and how out-of-water she is about everything else. I think the play is an interesting conceit…but needs major trimming. Not that you asked, but here are some of my thoughts: cut the whole scene about the prostitute–doesn’t add anything. Cut the inter-mix of dialogue at the end of Act I…too contrived and we get it anyway. Cut some of Beethoven’s acting out of the music in Act II…too long. Act needs major tightening. We need to understand the connections between the present and the past, sooner. I’d actually cut the minuet because I think we can ‘see’ it happening in our minds eye. The scenes between Mike and Clara, while enjoyable for their contemporary and humorous tone, feel as though they’re from a different play…would be great if some of that essence can make it’s way to your scenes with Clara so that the two elements are more integrated. In general, I think Kaufman needs to have greater trust in the audience’s ability to understand what he’s getting at. He seems to over-state everything so it’s presented several times instead of just once. No need. Cut out a lot of the repeat information and the play would move along and have a more powerful punch. As it is, the emotional content is dissipated by the end.
    I’d love to see you on stage again…how about some of the classics? You’ve certainly got the chops!!! Those of us who have been fans since “Tall Boy”, have missed you.

  23. Dearest Jane,
    How I am so grateful you have returned to the Stage. I was so incredibly moved by your performance and the entire company. The way you embody the illness of your character is stunning. I work as a therapist with clients with a variety of disabling illnesses such as your characters, and your portrayal reminded me so much of one patient in particular. The music in the play moves me to tears. The part where the entire cast sings is breathtaking. How I have admired you I cannot express since the days of Coming Home…. As your wonderful father remarked about one of your performances long ago, “Shut up! She was perfect!” And you are!

    Also, I love this blog. Thank you for doing it. Also, your dog is precious. I met him and you outside the 1st preview. Adorable. Thanks for being so down to earth in the midst of your own brilliant light which has inspired countless others to shine in their own!

    Much Love and Gratitude,

    Bradley Provines

  24. I’ve heard so much about this picture by Irving Penn, and I love it. I, too, had a difficult relationship with my Father, and only wish I had a picture like this.

  25. I’ve returned to this post to leave another comment because I started reading your book this morning…and when I saw what your 3rd grade report card said…

    “Jane is well adjusted, dramatic, has self-confidence and assurance…I think she has dramatic ability and a talent for making the common place have life and interest.”

    …it reminded me yet again how our young selves already know exactly who we are….before circumstances dim our light. Maybe a photo of 3rd grade Lady Jayne–the one brimming with self-confidence–belongs in a place of honor on that mirror next to this Penn portrait of you and your Dad…as a visible reminder of how things have come full circle for you…(much like your counterclockwise calendar years). 😉

  26. just finished listening to the audio version of your book My Life So Far. The times article mentioned your blog…very cool.

    I related so much to your relationship with your father. My Dad too rarely expressed feelings, worked a lot, didn’t know quite how to deal with me when I hit my teens etc…I too laid down on the bed next to his hospital bed the night before he died a few years ago..finally knowing he had done the best he could.
    I’ve carried those last moments with him in my heart.

    I saw you once Jane years ago. you were sitting a few seats away from me in Vero (fla) at Dodgertown. I think you were with Tom who was at baseball camp at the time. I was working in local TV and scored the great seats. I was too star struck to say anything. I wish I had. Also heard you speak in memphis at the freepress convention a few years ago. great job btw…

    Good luck with the show & your other work.

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