Mary Jane (play)

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Mary Jane
MaryJaneBwayPoster.jpg
Broadway Promotional Poster
Written by Amy Herzog
Date premieredApril 28, 2017
Place premiered Yale Repertory Theatre
Original language English
SubjectContemporary
GenreDrama
Setting New 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 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]

Contents

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 Donahoe Carrie Coon Rachel McAdams
Chaya / Brianne Miriam Silverman Susan Pourfar
Ruthie / Tenkai Kathleen Chalfant Brenda Wehle
Sherry / Dr. Toros Shona Tucker Liza Colón-Zayas April Mathis
Amelia / Kat Vella Lovell Danaya 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

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResultRef.
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 PlayCarrie CoonNominated
New York Drama Critics' Circle Best PlayAmy HerzogWon
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding DirectorAnne KauffmanWon
Outstanding Lead Actress in a PlayCarrie CoonWon
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Liza Colón-Zayas Nominated
Outstanding Scenic Design Laura Jellinek Nominated
Outstanding Lighting DesignJaphy WeidemanNominated
Outstanding Sound DesignLeah GelpeWon

2024 Broadway revival

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResultRef.
2024
 Tony Awards Best Play Amy Herzog Pending [14]
Best Actress in a Play Rachel McAdams Pending
Best Direction of a Play Anne Kauffman Pending
Best Sound Design of a Play Leah GelpePending
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play Rachel McAdams Pending [15]
Drama League Awards Outstanding Revival of a PlayPending [16]
Distinguished PerformanceRachel McAdamsPending
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Revival of a PlayNominated [17]
Outstanding Lead Performer in a PlayRachel McAdamsNominated

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References

  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. ↑ Vanasco, Jennifer (2024-04-30). "'Hell's Kitchen' and 'Stereophonic' lead Tony Awards with 13 nominations each". NPR . Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  15. ↑ Rosky, Nicole (2024-04-29). "2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List!". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  16. ↑ Gordon, David (2024-04-22). "2024 Drama League Award Nominations announced". Theatermania. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  17. ↑ Editorial Staff (2024-05-13). "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Wins Best Play; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
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