Cherry Jones Out of Menagerie

[amyatthetheatre]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 12:20am

Heard from a few friends that Cherry Jones was out sick over the weekend—I'm assuming for the first time in the run. Did anyone catch her poor understudy? My friend said she was absolutely brilliant, so I'm curious to hear some other opinions. What big shoes to fill!

[RUkiddingme]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 12:36am

She's been out for a while.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 5:58am

Her "poor" understudy? what does that even mean? Especially since the very next sentence you said someone called her brilliant.

Cherry Jones isn't exactly a household name, which is going to get a stampeding to the box office in her absence.

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 7:06am

Usually, when somebody says "poor" so-and-so, it means they are taking pity on this person, not that the person is "ill equipped" or "economically disadvantaged."

... and I can understand why someone would feel sorry for the actress who has to step in and fill Cherry Jones's legendary shoes on a moment's notice.

Updated On: 2/10/14 at 07:06 AM

[The Other One]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 7:53am

I have a lot more sympathy for understudies who never get to go on. Congratulations to her for earning such an impressive Broadway credit.

I see your point, but we should all be so "poor".

[cknick]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 8:38am

I bet this was the first time for understudies. When I saw the show in early January, I asked the usher if they've had any and he told me they hadn't. I imagine, with such a tight ensemble show, that it changes the dynamic quite a bit. Ms. Jones must be pretty ill to miss multiple shows. Hope she recovers soon!

If I had the luxury of seeing the show multiple times, I'd love to see understudies! That being said, I'm so happy I saw the whole cast!

[Addison D.]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 9:37am

I saw the show Friday night, and Karen MacDonald appeared as Amanda. I didn't arrive at the theater until 8:01, and was in such a state of panic over being late that I missed the notice in the lobby, and although I registered the line of people stretching from the ticket window out into 45th street, I was in too much of a hurry to think that it meant something.

It was only when the usher laughingly told me to "calm down--they're giving her a few minutes to get ready" and I saw a sparsely-seated crowd mingling and chatting several minutes after 8 that I understood something was up. Contrary to what someone posted here earlier, the usher--whom I assume has some first-hand knowledge?--told me that it was Ms. MacDonald's first time going on.

Broadway tickets are not inexpensive and--having been promised a "definitive" performance by an extraordinarily talented actor--I can understand why people might opt to get their money back. Those of us who stayed, however, were rewarded for our forbearance with a performance that was subtle, powerful, nuanced and deeply moving. Ms. MacDonald was sure in her lines and movements and her performance was absolutely on par with the rest of the (extraordinary) cast. I am an old 'Glass Menagerie' hand, and I found emotional clarity and complexity in this production that was new to me. Ms. MacDonald gave us an Amanda whose monstrosity made Tom's decision to leave inevitable and something you root for, but her fragility and desperation made it clear that it was a decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

The audience gave Ms. MacDonald--and no-one else--a brief but energetic round of applause when she appeared on stage for the first time. At the curtain, she was given a sustained and heartfelt ovation. Zach Quinto handed her a good-sized bouquet, and she was embraced and kissed warmly by the other performers. While she seemed supremely confident throughout her performance, she looked absolutely drained and stunned during the curtain call. It was a warm and exciting theater Moment and I am sincerely glad to have been there for it.

Updated On: 2/10/14 at 09:37 AM

[wonkit]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 9:46am

Addison D. - beautifully expressed.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 10:16am

Ohhhhhh, Karen MacDonald. She's an ART stalwart and goes back to pre-Cherry Jones days there. I've seen her play everything, everywhere. Mary Tyrone, Coriolanus's mother, one of the lesbians in 8, the title character in Ryan Landry's Fritz Lang's M, various characters in Cupcake: The Musical, you name it, she's done it. And well.

[cknick]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 10:17am

The usher told me there had not been understudies as of early January. Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Addison. What a special night, indeed!!

[Addison D.]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 10:42am

Namo--Kudos to you for paying attention when you go to the theater.

I have to confess that I had seen many of the roles in her 'Playbill' bio, but could not conjure up a face to go with the name.

I'm sorry that--unlike in Eve Harrington's day--there aren't dozens of daily papers with theater critics she could give a head's up to come see her perform.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 10:54am

Thanks, Addison. And good for you, Karen MacDonald!

[mamaleh]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 10:57am

Sounds like it was full of "fire and music." Some people were probably disappointed, but it's always great to read about a spectacular performance that was totally unexpected.

[dreaming]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 11:03am

I hope Ms. Jones gets back soon. This could ruin her Tony chances-which seemed unstoppable until now.

[bobs3]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 11:14am

It's flu season. Unfortunately actors sometimes get sick.

[Addison D.]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 11:24am

I'm left with the dilemma of whether to return to try and see Ms. Jones. I would love to see her performance for its own sake, plus I'd be so interested to understand the impact on the ensemble of the 2 different women.

Can someone enlighten me about how understudies rehearse? It can't be that they simply observe the principals' rehearsals--is there a parallel rehearsal schedule?

I don't suppose it's like the "Girl in the Mirror" from 'Follies'--with the 2 performers acting out the entire show simultaneously...

I never gave the question any sustained thought until seeing this performance. Clearly, Ms. MacDonald has done a LOT of work.

Updated On: 2/10/14 at 11:24 AM

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 2:00pm

I hope Ms. Jones gets back soon. This could ruin her Tony chances-which seemed unstoppable until now.


I highly doubt that missing one weekend of performances a week before the end of the run, after having perfect attendance for nearly six months, will have any effect of Ms Jones's award prospects.

[dreaming]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 2:42pm

I was under the impression she'd been out more than that.

[D2]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 2:45pm

And if Cherry Jones does not win a Tony because she was out sick in February, this affects your life how?

[dreaming]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 4:04pm

Good grief, always a cynic on here, isn't there?

It doesn't but I thought her performance was stellar and deserving. So there. (And yes, the Tony voters are often not kind to people who miss.)

[cknick]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 4:10pm

I don't know much about the process, but I would think that Cherry Jones has enough respect that her performance can be judged on the quality alone and not how many performances she missed due to illness. I saw in an interview of hers that she never missed a performance of "The Heiress" which ran for about a year...(I think?) so I doubt she has a reputation for missing. She always strikes me as very professional and mindful of her art. And I agree, her performance in Glass was breathtaking.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 2/10/14 at 4:14pm

Understudy rehearsals occur every week.

Posted: 2/11/14 at 2:46pm

Does anyone know if Cherry will still be out tonight? I have tickets and wondering if I should figure out how to change them to when I can see Ms. Jones.

[caskey]

Posted: 2/12/14 at 7:09pm

Addison, if you're interested in learning more about the understudy/standby process...allow me to shamelessly plug a project of mine.

I host a web series called "Standing By" we've got 2 seasons of episodes available at www.standingbytv.com. In the show, I interview Broadway understudies, standbys and swings about their careers and the challenges of covering roles. I haven't had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Jones' cover, but some of my other guests might be of interest to you.

Enjoy!

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 9:38am

Cherry Jones has been back in the show as of Tuesday night.