Mary Jane (play) explained

Mary Jane
Setting:New York City, Present Day
Premiere:April 28, 2017
Orig Lang:English
Subject:Contemporary
Genre:Drama

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 Broadway cast is led 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

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

The following are characters in the play:[5]

Notable casts

CharacterYaleOff-BroadwayBroadway
20172024
Mary Jane Emily DonahoeCarrie CoonRachel McAdams
Chaya / Brianne Miriam SilvermanSusan Pourfar
Ruthie / TenkaiKathleen ChalfantBrenda Wehle
Sherry / Dr. Toros Shona TuckerLiza Colón-ZayasApril Mathis
Amelia / KatVella LovellDanaya EsperanzaLily Santiago

Production history

The play was first staged by Yale Repertory Theatre from April 28-May 20, 2017, directed by Anne Kauffman. The play was commissioned through Yale's 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 30, 2024. The Broadway production is directed by Anne Kauffman.[12]

Awards and nominations

2017 Off-Broadway debut

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResultclass=unsortableRef.
Playwriting [13]
Direction
Actress
Outstanding Play
Outstanding Actress in a Play Carrie Coon
Best Play Amy Herzog
Outstanding Director Anne Kauffman
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play Carrie Coon
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Outstanding Scenic Design
Outstanding Lighting Design Japhy Weideman
Outstanding Sound Design Leah Gelpe

2024 Broadway

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResultclass=unsortableRef.
[14]
Leah Gelpe
Drama Desk Award[15]
Outstanding Revival of a Play [16]
Distinguished Performance Rachel McAdams
Outstanding Revival of a Play [17]
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play Rachel McAdams
Rachel McAdams [18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Paulson . Michael . 2023-09-11 . Rachel McAdams to Make Broadway Debut in Mary Jane. The New York Times . 2023-09-18.
  2. Web site: Rooney . David . 2018-05-03 . Mary Jane, Hangmen Take New York Drama Critics’ Circle Honors . Variety. 2023-09-18.
  3. Web site: 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. 2024-04-08.
  4. Web site: McHenry . Jackson . 2024-02-23 . Just a Couple of Ibsen Lovers . Vulture . 2024-04-08.
  5. Book: Herzog, Amy . 2018-10-16 . Mary Jane . New York . Theatre Communications Group . 5 . 978-1559365833. 2023-09-19.
  6. Book: . 2017-04-28 . Program for Amy Herzog's Mary Jane at the Yale Repertory Theatre . New Haven . Yale Repertory Theatre . 7 . 2023-09-18.
  7. Web site: Susan Smith Blackburn Playwriting Prize Awarded March 6 . Clement . Olivia . 2017-03-06 . Playbill. 2023-09-18.
  8. Web site: NYTW/Mary Jane . . 2017-11-01 . . 2023-09-18.
  9. Web site: Carousel, SpongeBob SquarePants Lead 2018 Drama Desk Nominations (Full List) . Cox . Gordon . 2018-04-26 . Variety . 2024-04-26.
  10. Web site: Carrie Coon, Billy Crudup + More Take Home Prizes at 2018 Obie Awards . Mink . Casey . 2020-07-27 . Backstage . 2024-04-26.
  11. Web site: KPOP, Bella, Mary Jane Lead 2018 Lucille Lortel Award Nominations . McPhee . Ryan . 2018-04-04 . Playbill . 2023-09-18.
  12. Web site: Amy Herzog's Mary Jane, Starring Rachel McAdams, Begins Previews April 2 . Culwell-Block . Logan . 2024-04-02 . Playbill . 2024-04-26.
  13. Web site: Mary Jane . Internet Off-Broadway Database . 2024-04-22.
  14. Web site: Vanasco . Jennifer . 2024-04-30 . 'Hell's Kitchen' and 'Stereophonic' lead Tony Awards with 13 nominations each. NPR. April 30, 2024.
  15. Web site: Rosky . Nicole . 2024-04-29 . 2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List!. BroadwayWorld. April 29, 2024.
  16. Web site: 2024 Drama League Award Nominations announced . 2024-04-22 . Gordon . David . Theatermania . April 22, 2024.
  17. Web site: Stereophonic Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Wins Best Play; See the Full List of Winners. 2024-05-13 . Editorial Staff . Playbill . May 13, 2024.
  18. Web site: Culwell-Block . Logan . Cole Escola, Meleah Joi Moon, Rachel McAdams, More Win 2024 Theatre World Awards. June 2, 2024 . Playbill . en.