Another Day, Another Dollar

Mar 27.09

I had lunch with my wonderful editor at Random House, Kate Medina. She asked me almost two years ago to write a book about the ‘third act’—in other words, about aging. It will be called “The Third Act: Entering Prime Time.” I had hoped it would be finished by now but life keeps getting in the way– although I have written 10 good chapters already. I told Kate that I brought all my research and files with me to New York in the hopes I’d be able to write during the play. I now realize that isn’t possible. I am a slow writer. I need long stretches of solitude to get any decent writing done and that just isn’t the reality now. Perhaps in June and July before I start a film and then most of 2010 until I go into the Himalayas. (More on that later!!)

Did a CBS TV interview this afternoon with Dana Tyler and CBS radio interview with Erin Moriarty. Both these women had seen the play and loved it, were moved by it, got it!! It was fun talking to them.

Rue McClanahan came back after tonight’s show. I hadn’t seen her in decades. She’s planning a return to Broadway next year.

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Rue McClanahan (photo by Michael Rudd)

My friends Nancy Ellison and Bill Rollnick also came back to say how much they loved the show. They also reminded me that they’ve been to the town of Tulear in Madagascar where the breed of my dog, Tulea, cotton de Tulears, originated.

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With Bill Rollnick and Nancy Ellison (photo by Michael Rudd)

A woman paid $400 to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS for a photo with me backstage. Interestingly, she said the mother/daughter relationship in the play reminded her of my relationship with my father in “On Golden Pond”—with me playing the judgemental, withdrawn parent this time. I actually hadn’t thought of that.

See you next time.


Category: Film, Television & Theater, My Blog

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Responses to “ Another Day, Another Dollar ”

  1. Bob DiCorcia says:
    March 28, 2009 at 10:12 am

    Saw the play on Tuesday evening –had flown up from North Carolina to do so. You were brilliant as usual. After the show, you were so kind and generous to spend some time with us “fans” who waited outside stage door.

    Can’t wait to read your new book when it’s finished. I’m an avid reader and reading your daily blogs is a highlight! I recently bragged about your website to Lorna Guess, Carole King’s manager who is in the process of redesigning Ms. King’s own website.

  2. terry says:
    March 28, 2009 at 10:57 am

    Blues your colour Jane, you look fantastic in those 2 pictures!

  3. Amanda says:
    March 28, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    Jane,

    I’m very eager to read this next book you have in the works. I have a little while left before I enter the third act of my life, but I’ve enjoyed your memoir and blogging so much that it’ll be nice to read what you have to say about “entering prime time.”

    Is the film you’ll be working on this summer going to be the collaboration piece with Eve Ensler? I remembering you hinting at it in an earlier entry.

    I thought you had said before that you noticed the similarities between Katherine and Clara in 33 Variatons and Norman and Chelsea in On Golden Pond. Maybe not. I definitely noticed the reversal. I actually thought of that before seeing the show because it mentions the mother/daughter tension in the description of the play.

    Was the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS “auction” only that one night, or are there more chances to pay for a photo with you backstage? Just curious.

    Best,
    Amanda

  4. Steven says:
    March 28, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    Hi Jane,

    I am writing a book too, and can relate to the energy needed to full-fill that task.

    I was wondering, do you know ahead of time if your friends are seeing your show or do they usually surprise you at the end?

    Best,
    Steve

  5. Tim C. says:
    March 28, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    Why does Rue McClanahan have a bandaid on her face?

  6. Lorna Singh says:
    March 28, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    Hi Jane
    I’m looking forward to reading “The Third Act”.And
    please tell us more about the film you’ll be making with
    Kerry Washington.

  7. Abbey Road says:
    March 28, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    What a fabulous woman, Rue. As a writer, I feel your pain. I think so often “I’ll have time to write [then]“, but if I’m crunched, I just don’t do it. I don’t want to write something that is hurried and fail to do justice to my intent. It will come given time. I look forward to another of your publications.

  8. Kelsey says:
    March 28, 2009 at 8:37 pm

    Oh my! Is Rue alright?
    I agree, your play is A LOT like “On Golden Pond”
    A bit like “Georgia Rule” too if I may add.

  9. Michael J. La Rue says:
    March 29, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    I was Rue’s date on Friday, and am producing her show – “My First Five Husbands” – and the two of us had a truly perfect night out watching you and the rest of the gifted cast in “33 Variations.” When the usher came over at intermission and asked if Rue would come back after the performance to say hello, I immediately vowed to tag along no matter what. Coincidentally, the talented young lady playing your daughter, Samantha Mathis, played Rue’s daughter in a movie they did together some years back, and we ran into her on our way to see you.
    Another coincidence, we were seated next to your friends, Bill and Nancy, and I can see why they are your friends; what a fascinating couple, such full lives, and riveting story tellers. The four of us talked to each other all through intermission.
    It was a pleasure meeting you, as well as your happy dog, and the kind young people that treat your visitors like royalty. I’ve written a pet book called “NYC Pet Project” and I’ll drop copies off for all of you at the stage door this week. Though I’ve always respected your career and admired your cjhoices, I didn’t presume to know anything about you as a person until I saw that puppy dog in your dressing room. Now, not only do I know the most wonderful things about you, but you’ve become a real person to me, a person I like. The perfect night continued when we left and went to hail a cab at the corner of Eighth Avenue. Naturally, with the post-theatre crowds, cabs were scarce, and then an enormous stretch limosine, the kind the kids rent for proms with neon lights and stars on the ceiling, glided up and asked if we needed a lift. Rue and I hopped in and as we laughed our way home, we agreed that it had been a magical night. Thank you.

  10. Ben Friesen says:
    April 9, 2009 at 9:30 am

    I saw the performance on this night and absolutely loved it, it was so beautiful. It was quite a thrill to meet you at the stage door and have you sign my playbill, you looked great! I saw it with my friend and his mom, and they loved it as well (it was also really funny when Rue came out and said in that wonderful voice “She’ll be out in a minute” and our jaws dropped when we realized who it was!). Thank you for creating such a wonderful character and giving such an amazing performance. Wish I could see it again!


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Film, Television & Theater

  • "At age 50, I broke all the career rules and left acting for 15 years. Ten of those years I was married to Ted Turner and after that I spent 5 years writing my memoirs and traveling the world on behalf of women and girls. Needless to say, returning to my profession late in life has been an interesting, exciting and unusual experience! "Monster-in-Law" was my first film after this hiatus and was one of my most fun professional experiences after "9 to 5"! During my 15 year absence, I gained confidence and, as a result, I feel that my acting is better, more nuanced and relaxed than ever."