I cannot believe that last night I went out with Wanda Sykes, her partner Laura, Mo Ostin and his sons and daughter-in-law and Robbie Robertson (The Band), and Richard, all of whom had just seen the play (Richard for the 3rd time!) And I forgot to take any pictures.
We had such a good time. I hadn’t seen Wanda in 3 years. I keep sending her invitations to my stuff and she doesn’t come so I thought she didn’t want to be my friend anymore. Last night I realized that was a wrong assumption. They have 2-year- old twins and have been so busy along with Wanda’s work. She looks wonderful! She said I could come to their home and baby sit. I will do that as soon as my post-play (much needed) vacation is over.
We have 7 more shows. Bittersweet. Tonight I tried a few new things. I like that the growth process never ends. I know our director, Moises, will read this and write to ask me what I am doing. I think he’ll think it’s ok.
Yesterday, I went to a throat specialist who said I have a herniated left vocal chord. Got a cortisone shot in my butt and am on cortisone pills and antibiotics. It’s interesting to play my character with this voice challenge. She dies of ALS and slowly loses her ability to communicate well so my voice issue is interesting but I am en route home and to bed. Last night I slept 12 hours and at 3pm took my usual 1 1/2 hour nap. (This just during the play). When doing a play all you can fit in is the performance, sleep, plus one other thing. Today I rearranged my drawers. See, even though where I live is not my house, I got Richard to agree to let me build more drawers. It makes a huge difference. When I was explaining to him what I wanted to do (which meant removing some of his 1920s etchings) he said, “Well, it’s the end of an era!” Which cracked me up, knowing how many women had found no fault with the dressing room–well, they were younger and not yet movie stars with a lot of stuff. Ha!
Adrienne McLeod
Hi Jane!
Thank you for taking on a role like this! My Mother, also named Jane, passed away of Bulbar ALS last June. We in the ALS PALS/CALS community still struggle everyday to raise awareness and things like this help so much.
I am sure when you met with Stephen Hawking if you haven’t known people with ALS previously it became very clear that ALS really is one of the most dreaded diseases in the world. Stephen is amazing. I believe that his understanding of physics has helped him incredibly in living with ALS.
I also want to say how important in retrospect your workout programs were in the end to my Mum. Her core strength, built over the years, enabled her to assist my family as care givers. When she was unable to move her arms and legs save for her toe, the core strength gave her the ability to aid us in moving her. She could still use those muscles!
Thank you Thank you Thank you , From the bottom of my heart! I have shared this on our ALS Family pages and asked people to share away.
Bless you, in all of your work!
Timothy Dougherty
hello Jane,
Hope your feeling better as per this blog comment.A herniated left vocal chord, wonder how that happened? , well interesting how you see the this voice challenge to your character. I the Evolution of the character as more intelligence progresses from the indefinite to the definite self. The moment of perception and the reproduction in memory and image makes apperarance.
In the once sense, occurring now ,as to the concept of past event or memory. The action to the causes of your character, as to what your feeling. Not merely imaginary but a sort of reality that belongs to outside bodies. A thing is said to be “real” or to “occur” when it fits into a
context of correlations. Our memory-image fits
into a physical context,our memory-image does not.
I’m still in study in Bertolt Brecht, so your correlations in your physical context is very reflective of some of Brecht’s ideas on Acting.
with love and care,
Angelica Pogson
Flying out to L.A. from Chicago this weekend to meet family and see your play on Sat. Very excited!! Break a leg Jane!!
elizabeth barraclough
Hi — I am a voice coach and certified SLP. Re your voice problem: Please utilize steam as much as possible. If you do not have a humidifier, buy one and sleep with it on next to your bed. Also do the same in your dressing room.
Good luck with the show.
All best wishes,
Elizabeth Barraclough
harrisonheld
Hi Jane, I saw the play 2 nites ago and you were incredible! It’s an amazing production and the cast were just great too. Hope you got the “feel better” Martin Luther King bookmark I left for you last week inspired by your comments at lacma the week b4. Best Wishes, HH(:
http://www.HarrisonHeldStarMedia.blogspot.com
Sandy
Oh good! Another “curb your enthusiasm” cast member! The hope of your making an appearance on the show increases!
steve
Hi Jane,
Important that your taking care of yourself!
I was wondering now that your coming near the end of this run how it compared to the Broadway run – basically what is it like the re-visiting a piece of your work – obviously in film you can’t do that so how was this different?
harrisonheld
Dear Jane,
It was such a pleasure to meet you backstage after last nite’s show! It was my second time going!! (: I was with my friends Kat Kramer, Marvin Paige and Idrees Degas. I’ve been writing about you and the play at http://www.HarrisonHeldStarMedia.blogspot.com .
Thank you so much for contributing to my life thru your soulful work and creativity. HH(:
Mary Ancona
Hi Jane,
I made the trek from Oceanside yesterday for the 2pm matinee. I drove up by myself as I wanted to experience the play on my own. I was lucky enough to get a seat in the front row.
I purposely did not read much about the play so it would all be new. I was so excited I told everyone I know that I was going to see you. I sound like a little girl but alas I am 54 to be 55 in July. I have attended the theatre before, but never have I experienced such a great Actor as you. I was so blown away I fought back tears.
Unfortunately, I had a friend aflicted with this disease at the age of 40. I met her when she was starting to lose the use of her arms. She was beautiful person and had the best sense of humor. I don’t think I could be that brave. It is like staring down a speeding train when you are diagnosed with such a disease.
You brought dignity and grace with you to the stage yesterday and I have always been a fan. Now I am more than a fan I am a friend.
Best Regards,
Mary C. Ancona
J Morris
Hi, Jane . . .
I’m learning quite a lot from you. Most actors would never consider trying a “few new things” during a performance. I thought that was why there is a rehearsal process. How did your cast of “not yet movie stars” find your surprises?