Three days ago Richard hosted a reception for his high school alma mater, Brooklyn’s prestigious Poly Prep school. He was there from 5th grade till college (He then went to the University of Michigan.) He loved his prep school and awhile back gave the lead gift to build the Richard Perry Theatre, a state of the art theatre on campus. Meryl Streep made her directorial debut there and all her children went to Poly Prep. I will see the school at the end of April when I will accompany Richard to his 50th reunion. I have encouraged him to go. I love reunions; love seeing people I knew so intimately for so many years, so many years ago.  I figure it will be the same for Richard and maybe I’ll learn something about him, as well, because I find it’s a way to learn about yourself, be reminded of who you were and perhaps some insight into who you’ve become…and who your fellow classmates have become. I find it is always surprising.

One of Richard’s classmates was Richard Rosenberg with whom he formed a doo wop singing group, first called The Legends and then The Escorts. I just about fainted when, awhile ago, I was bragging that I knew a song in Latin and began singing Gaudeamus Igitur when Richard then began singing along with me and then put on an old LP of The Escorts on which they sang a doo wop version of the Latin song!!! OMG! I may sing it with them at the reunion if we get any chance to rehearse.

The reunion was a big success, needless to say.

Next to Richard is the former Headmaster, Bill Williams, then another alum, Nick Schenck. In front of NIck is the current headmaster, David Harmon

Richard, me, Nick Schenck and Richard Rosenberg

Last night we had a little party with the amazingly special Catherine Keener, documentary filmmaker, Amy Berg, who made the extraordinarily powerful documentary, “Deliver Us From Evil,” about a pedophile Catholic priest, Samantha Mathis, who played my daughter in “33 Variations” on Broadway and who I adore, and producer Sandy Stern who is becoming a dear friend and, hopefully we will work together. Alas, I forgot to take any pictures!!
 
It was a really fun night and ended early cause I had to get up this morning and do a photo shoot with Matthew Rolston for the covers of my new DVDs. I so adore working with Matthew. He is kind, quick, talented and the photos really look good. It may seem strange to you that the DVDs won’t come out till next January and yet we’re doing all this now but it may be the only time I get to do it—so at least it’s out of the way. I’ve put more lighter highlights in my hair and I think It’s better. The all-dark brown got a little helmety.

What else? That’s about it. The pollen-filled L.A. Air that has got me feeling tired and ill has finally blown over and I’m back to normal. Tomorrow we go to New York where I will rehearse the narration of the “Grapes of Wrath” opera that is being performed one night only with symphony orchestra and chorale (and Christine Ebersole!!!!) at Carnegie Hall. I’m excited. So many people I love will be there: Eve Ensler, Pat Mitchell, Annette Tauper and her husband, Joe Allen (Richard’s college roommate), my daughter-in-law’s parents, Dee and Boswell Bent, Roger Freidman, Kenny Vance, Jean Doumanian, Stan Dragotti, Patricia Bosworth, Hilton Als, Nat Bickford, Leslie Stahl, Eva and Yoel Haller…and Catherine Keener!!! What fun it will be.

I will take photos of it all, including the 3 days of rehearsals between Saturday and Monday night.

See You Next Time.

Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe who played Precious—brilliantly!!

Queen Latifah, Me and Richard

Richard, Me and Lenny Kravitz

We saw “Precious“, the remarkable, powerful film directed by Lee Daniels. It opened the New York Film Festival. I read the book, “Push” —by Sapphire–more than a decade ago and felt it to be one of the most powerful, provocative books ever. The film is very good. I am grateful that it has been made and that Oprah and Tyler Perry have stepped up to help ensure it’s distribution. I wish everyone could see it. I’m thinking back over the years to the (white) men, usually business men, who asked me why my organization did “all these programs for those girls? You’re just rewarding them for their bad behavior.” It has taken time, patience and a great deal of faith to try and prove to them that most of the “girls” weren’t “bad.” They were victims who had been on the receiving end of so much dehumanizing, brutal, cruel behavior, then ignored, cast aside. They needed care and attention not more demonizing. The movie is wonderful in how it subtly shows that hope and confidence can bloom in someone when a little love and attention is sent their way. At least two Oscar worthy performances: Gabourey Sidibe is Precious and stand-up comedian, Mo’Nique, is jaw-dropping as her mother, Mary. Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz are excellent as well. Bravo to all!!!

The next night was went to the opening of Carrie Fisher’s “Wishful Drinking.” We had a big group—Troy, Simone, Harvey and Daphna Keitel, Pat Mitchell, Kenny Vance, Claudia Potempkin, Annette and Joe Allen, and more. I meant to take pictures but, as often happens when I’m having fun, I forgot to take any. Carrie was hysterical. I’ve seen an earlier version and was surprised to see how well she’s tightened it up and made it resonate for folks who aren’t of Hollywood. Given her uniquely dysfunctional childhood, one reviewer said it is amazing how she makes the audience feel she is just like them. It’s a must see. So is “Precious”.

Daphna, Harvey, Daphna’s mother, Richard, me and Eve Ensler

Daphna and Harvey Keitel

Then two more glorious days of great food and much fun with Richard’s friends and mine—we had a reunion party with the cast of “33 Variations” and Moises, the author and director. I’m very moved by the fact that Richard’s friends from childhood, High school and college still love him and stay in touch…same with old girlfriends.

33 Variations cast reunion

33 Variations cast reunion

Richard signing doo wop with Kenny Vance. Kenny had long been Richard’s friend. They both had singing groups back in the late fifties...Richard’s was The Escorts, Kenny’s was the Planetones...still is...still sounding like dream

Cannot believe that, except for the photo of Richard singing with Kenny Vance, I forgot to take any pictures. Shame on me.

See You Next TIme

Pat Mitchell and her husband, Scott Seydel with Roshi Joan Halifax, Abbott of the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe.

From left to right: Scott Seydel, Roshi Joan Halifax, Pat Mitchell

Our last Two-show day. My knee went out during the Letterman Show. See, I was supposed to have knee replacement in January but when I accepted to do the play I postponed the surgery and got cortisone shots. You are allowed one shot every three months. The last one was only effective 6 weeks but the doctor said I could get another one to tide me over till the surgery (which has been rescheduled for mid June). Well, it isn’t working anymore and so yesterday I did both shows using a cane the whole time. I managed it well enough so that people who hadn’t seen the show before thought it was part of my character. No one even seemed to wonder why I had a cane for the curtain call. I hate that tonight, our final show, I will be using a cane but, hey, that’s life. And at least I’m playing a character who ends up in a wheel chair and then a gurney. As I have written in my yet-to-be-finished book on aging, when you get older there are aches and pains and you can let that define you or you can learn to live with it and get on with life. Guess which way I’ve chosen. But—the Galapagos will be interesting on a cane. I don’t know exactly how much walking there will be. Some, I know, and on volcanic islands which are tough to walk on. But the swimming and boat parts should be fine. And in the airports, my grandchildren can ride on my lap in the wheelchair.

Okay, so back to yesterday. Some really interesting people came backstage afterwards. Estelle Parsons, for one. Now there’s a powerful lady!! She’s in her eighties and goes up and down a humongous flight of stairs all throughout her play, “August: Osage County.” I haven’t seen her in it but have heard she is amazing. She has gone on the road with it—for 40 weeks!!! I will interview her for my book. I want to know how she stays physically strong (her husband is about 25 years younger than her and says he can’t keep up with her.)

Estelle Parsons (photo: Michael Rudd)

Then, James Andrews came back. He’s the man who persuaded me to start blogging and helped me set it all up and introduced me (by phone) to the mysterious J.J. in Detroit who makes it all happen technically. James came with Pankaj Shah, the man who launched the website TONIC, which sells merchandise to benefit non-profit organizations, Donna Karen turned me onto him. She is on his board. Pankaj and James are discussing how TONIC can help me sell my mug shot totes, clutches and T-shirts for the benefit of G-CAPP.

James Andrews

James Andrews, Me and Pankaj Shah of Tonic.com

Speaking of Georgia, State Senator Nan Orrock came to the show with State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver. I’ve known and worked with them both ever since I arrived in Georgia 18 years ago. They were also with Mary Frances Williams, a progressive lobbyist for women and children who has help G-CAPP over the years and Nancy Hall, retired director of Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Senator Nan Orrock and Representative Mary Margaret Oliver

Nancy G. Hall and Mary Frances Williams

Last night, Eve Ensler and Pat Mitchell came again-for the umpteenth time and we all went to dinner where Moises joined us. It was so much fun I stayed longer than I intended. I feel so blessed to have fierce, precious friends like Eve and Pat.

Pat Mitchell, Me, and Eve Ensler (photo: Michael Rudd)

Dick Cavett (photo: Michael Rudd)

Jane Alexander (photo: Michael Rudd)

See you next time

Left to right: Loreen Arbus, Gloria Steinem, Jodie Evans, Helen Zia, Carol Jenkins, Teresa McBride and, in front, Pat Mitchell, and me (holding a totally day-glo Tulea) — Click to enlarge

Last night many of the Women’s Media Center’s board came to see “33 Variations” and then we all were invited to dinner by Jodie Evans. Jodie, by the way, is also co-founder of the important peace organization Code Pink.

Today the Women’s Media Center had our board meeting and tonight, at Gloria Steinem’s cozy home, the Sisterhood is Global Institute’s new, soon-to-burst-forth, viral presence, had a board meeting. So tonight, I go to bed energized and optimized.

Board members of the Women’s Media Center (photo by Michael Rudd)

Pat Mitchell and her husband Scott (photo by Michael Rudd)

See you next time.

This is our first 2-show day. I’m kinda tired so I will take my nap soon before the evening show. Last night my dear friends from the past–Laurel Lyle and David Hodges saw the show and came back stage.  David was the director of the Laurel Springs Children’s Camp that my husband, Tom Hayden, and I ran in California for 15 years. Laurel is an actress who for many years was my stand-in and played small parts in a number of my movies. It was very special having them see the show. They were deeply affected by it. They came baring a basket of 33 cookies for the cast and crew, baked and beautifully decorated by their daughter Kate (one of my goddaughters. Her sister, Tess, is another one). Everyone has been commenting on how good they are.

Then I went to dinner with Robin Morgan and her musician son, Blake Morgan. They are both highly intelligent and talented. As a child in the fifties, Robin was the actor who played Dagmar in the hugely popular TV series, “I Remember Mama.” Robin was second only to Shirley Temple as a nationally popular child star. She is known now as a writer, a poet and the editor who created the historic feminist anthologies “Sister is Powerful,” Sisterhood is Global” and “Sisterhood is Forever.”

Both Robin and Blake were shaken by the play. At dinner Robin said to me, “It is so rare that you see any public honoring of the process of art, the cost of the process of art.” Blake was stunned by the parallels between Beethoven’s dilemmas and those of musicians today. A character from the 1800s in the play says “They’ve outlawed dancing so we can’t sell sheet music.” Blake pointed out that today this translates into “They’re copying our music so we can’t sell music itself!!” He went on to say that “Throughout history, musicians are always more interested in the high note than the bottom line.” What a good line! It made him feel less alone when the play reminded him that Beethoven struggled with these same financial pressures.

Moises didn’t come to the matinee which is understandable…he needs to rest and reclaim the fresh eyes that will allow him to see his play anew. Still, I have to admit that I felt bereft knowing he wasn’t there. He’ll be there tonight though. I’m glad. My friend and columnist, Roger Friedman, is also coming tonight and Pat Mitchell’s coming—again. She asked her husband, Scott Seydel, what he wanted to do for Valentine’s Day and he said, “See Jane’s show.” (He was away the other night when Pat saw it). Here’s a bit of trivia: Scott’s from Atlanta and his son, Rutherford Seydel, is married to Ted Turner’s daughter, Laura. Their three children are grandchildren to me, Scott and Pat.

See you next time.