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Home › Entertainment

Flashes From Liz Smith | 03/11/2009 4:50 pm

Liz Smith: Why Did Jane Fonda Choose '33 Variations'?

By Liz Smith RSS
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Liz Smith

When I went backstage to see Jane Fonda after her stunning performance in “33 Variations” on Broadway at the Eugene O’Neill Theater, it was eerie to walk across the green-stained stage floor with its many set markings. There is nothing quite like a theater after a performance.

Jane bounded out of her dressing room to meet me and we half-laughingly mused about the fact that we have known each other for 49 years, since her first play, “There Was a Little Girl,” in 1960.

The star was trim and slim, still in her stage makeup, wearing a little, white baseball cap, and a black T-shirt. What did the T-shirt say? It spelled out “Rejoice” in rhinestones.

I asked why she had chosen this drama about Beethoven. "It was actually about something; it was important," said Jane.  

Read more about: 33 Variations, Eugene O'Neill Theater, Jane Fonda, Liz Smith

11 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

beth willis

Oh, Liz Smith, I have been reading Ms. Fonda’s blog throughout her preparation and presentation of her performance.  Sometimes she blogs during the breaks of an ongoing performance.  Maybe that’s too much information for her director to know, but I’ve learned a lot.

You two must have gone to different high schools together-49 years of knowledge and know-how:  to succeed by really trying.

Peace and grace

By beth willis on 03/11/2009 6:29 pm
Liz Smith
Dear Beth, I wish I had had the time to read Jane’s blogs on her work in "33 Variations" … You are probably better informed on her than I am. And I am quite a bit older than Jane so like I said, we certainly  did go to different high schools.  I have to admire her talent, her looks and her ambitions.  I also believe that her more recent coming to accept Christianity must have changed Jane Fonda in more ways than we can know.  Best, Liz 
By Liz Smith on 03/12/2009 10:39 am
beth willis

Liz Smith, thank you so much for this personal reply.  I think all the wOw posters are delighted when we here from The Top, and I am just personally delighted to hear from you, you fellow panther you.

Last night I tuned in to ‘Ugly Betty’ because a particular favorite of mine Ms. Christine Baranski was scheduled to appear.  During the course of the show, one of the characters mentioned being at a luncheon at Arrianna’s and that Liz Smith was there.  I turned to my husband and casually mentioned, ‘Oh, I had a note from Liz Smith just this morning.’ I can drop names with the best of them, thanks to wOw.

Peace and grace

By beth willis on 03/13/2009 1:37 pm
James the Game
That’s it? What else is she up to these days? Does she still talk to Ted Turner?
By James the Game on 03/11/2009 7:04 pm
Liz Smith
Yes. She is friendly with her ex husband, Ted Turner, who just happens to be, in my thinking, one of the most interesting men I ever sat down to have a drink with. Best regards, Liz Smith  
By Liz Smith on 03/12/2009 10:35 am
Liz Smith
Yes. She is friendly with her ex husband, Ted Turner, who just happens to be, in my thinking, one of the most interesting men I ever sat down to have a drink with. Best regards, Liz Smith  
By Liz Smith on 03/12/2009 10:35 am
Diana T
This play is receiving rave reviews.  Her career started on the stage, and I’m glad to see that she has returned to it after all these years.
By Diana T on 03/11/2009 7:07 pm
Rainbow Power

Anything Jane has done in her life she has done it with vigor and enthusiasm.  I remember when she was an activist for many controversial issues …. and, all women should hold her in high esteem in view of her protests against violence towards women.

My most favorite of her movies was Barbarella.  I still chuckle when I think of her costumes.

A very dignified lady who deserves praise no matter what she does.

By Rainbow Power on 03/12/2009 7:38 am
Mary Utrup

Jane Fonda has obviously come a LONG way from the Barbarella days, thank God. The one thing I will  always be grateful for is that she and her father made the movie On Golden Pond together. What a major loss it would have been, if they had not. I continue to wish her success in all the she does.

 

By Mary Utrup on 03/12/2009 7:14 pm
Buh- Bye
am I the only woman who thought Barbarella was a feminist movie?  I was bummed when Jane expressed embarrassment about it during one of her book tour interviews a few years ago.  it did sound like the filming was less enjoyable than the outcome. but I loved Barbarella’s complete acceptance of her personal power and sexuality.  it was refreshing. and Pygar wasn’t hard on the eyes either.
By Buh- Bye on 03/13/2009 10:10 pm