Mary Jane (play)

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Mary Jane
Written byAmy Herzog
Date premiered2017
Original languageEnglish
SubjectContemporary
GenreDrama
SettingNew York City, Present Day

Mary Jane is a two-act dramatic stage play written by American playwright Amy Herzog. The play had its World Premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre in 2017 and officially premiered on Broadway on April 23, 2024. The Broadcast cast is lead by Rachel McAdams in the titular role.[1] The play won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play in 2018.[2] The play is semi-autobiographical and based on Herzog's daughter Frances, who was born with Nemaline myopathy and died at age 11 in 2023.[3][4]

Synopsis[edit]

As Mary Jane navigates both the mundane and the unfathomable realities of caring for Alex, her chronically ill young son, she finds herself building a community of women from many walks of life.

Characters[edit]

The following are characters in the play:[5]

  • Mary Jane - a mother in her thirties
  • Ruthie - a building superintendent
  • Sherry - a nurse
  • Brianne - a Facebook friend
  • Amelia - Sherry's niece, a college student
  • Dr. Toros - a pediatric intensivist
  • Kat - a music therapist
  • Chaya - a Hasidic Jewish woman
  • Tenkei - a Buddhist nun

Notable casts[edit]

Character Yale Off-Broadway Broadway
2017 2024
Mary Jane Emily Donahoe Carrie Coon Rachel McAdams
Chaya / Brianne Miriam Silverman Susan Parfour
Ruthie / Tenkai Kathleen Chalfant Brenda Wehle
Sherry / Dr. Toros Shona Tucker Liza Colón-Zayas April Mathis
Amelia / Kat Vella Lovell Danaya Esperanza Lily Santiago

Production history[edit]

The play was first staged by Yale Repertory Theatre from April 28-May 20, 2017, directed by Anne Kauffman. The play was commissioned through Yales Binger Center for New Theatre. The play was the recipient of the 2016 Edgerton Foundation New Play Award and was also awarded a grant through the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation. It was the second play Herzog had developed at Yale, the first being Belleville.[6] The play was a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the oldest and largest prize awarded exclusively to women playwrights.[7]

The play was next staged Off-Broadway by the New York Theatre Workshop from September 6 - October 29, 2017.[8] For the title role of Mary Jane, Carrie Coon was nominated for the Drama Desk Award[9] and received an Obie Award for her performance.[10] The Off-Broadway production also received 7 Lucille Lortel nominations.[11]

The play opened on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre as part of Manhattan Theatre Club's 2023–2024 season. Previews began April 2 and the show officially opened on April 23, 2024, with a closing date set for June 16, 2024. The Broadway production is directed by Anne Kauffman.[12]

Awards and nominations[edit]

2017 Off-Broadway debut[edit]

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2018
 Obie Award Playwriting Amy Herzog Won [13]
Direction Anne Kauffman Won
Actress Carrie Coon Won
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Play Amy Herzog Nominated
Outstanding Actress in a Play Carrie Coon Nominated
New York Drama Critics' Circle Best Play Amy Herzog Won
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Director Anne Kauffman Won
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play Carrie Coon Won
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Liza Colón-Zayas Nominated
Outstanding Scenic Design Laura Jellinek Nominated
Outstanding Lighting Design Japhy Weideman Nominated
Outstanding Sound Design Leah Gelpe Won

2024 Broadway revival[edit]

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2024
 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play Rachel McAdams Pending [14]
Drama League Awards Outstanding Revival of a Play Pending [15]
Distinguished Performance Rachel McAdams Pending
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Revival of a Play Pending [16]
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play Rachel McAdams Pending

References[edit]

  1. ^ Paulson, Michael (2023-09-11). "Rachel McAdams to Make Broadway Debut in Mary Jane". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  2. ^ Rooney, David (2018-05-03). "Mary Jane, Hangmen Take New York Drama Critics' Circle Honors". Variety. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  3. ^ Levitt, Hayley (2024-03-15). "Playwright Amy Herzog Gambles Her Soul in Mary Jane but Seizes the Pen in An Enemy of the People". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  4. ^ McHenry, Jackson (2024-02-23). "Just a Couple of Ibsen Lovers". Vulture. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  5. ^ Herzog, Amy (2018-10-16). Mary Jane. New York: Theatre Communications Group. p. 5. ISBN 978-1559365833. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  6. ^ Program for Amy Herzog's Mary Jane at the Yale Repertory Theatre. New Haven: Yale Repertory Theatre. 2017-04-28. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  7. ^ Clement, Olivia (2017-03-06). "Susan Smith Blackburn Playwriting Prize Awarded March 6". Playbill. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  8. ^ "NYTW/Mary Jane". NYTW. 2017-11-01. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  9. ^ Cox, Gordon (2018-04-26). "Carousel, SpongeBob SquarePants Lead 2018 Drama Desk Nominations (Full List)". Variety. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  10. ^ Mink, Casey (2020-07-27). "Carrie Coon, Billy Crudup + More Take Home Prizes at 2018 Obie Awards". Backstage. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  11. ^ McPhee, Ryan (2018-04-04). "KPOP, Bella, Mary Jane Lead 2018 Lucille Lortel Award Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  12. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (2024-04-02). "Amy Herzog's Mary Jane, Starring Rachel McAdams, Begins Previews April 2". Playbill. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  13. ^ "Mary Jane". Internet Off-Broadway Database. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  14. ^ "2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List!". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  15. ^ Gordon, David (2024-04-22). "2024 Drama League Award Nominations announced". Theatermania. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  16. ^ Editorial Staff (2024-04-23). "Dead Outlaw, Stereophonic Lead 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations". Theatermania. Retrieved 2024-04-23.

External links[edit]

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