Mary Jane

 Mary Jane
Manhattan Theatre Club
The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
June 6, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

The Manhattan Theatre Club production of Amy Herzog’s Mary Jane is tender, sad, and enthralling.  Ms. Herzog’s writing is skillfully honest.  Her characters are truthful.  The relationships are bold and real.  Director Anne Kauffman finds the even tempo that is appropriate for the telling of this story.  The characters, all women, have an ease about them, which allows the audience to settle in and absorb the action.  Except for Rachel McAdams, all the actors play more than one role, filling the stage with maternal perspectives that illuminate the themes of the play. 

Mary Jane (played by Rachel McAdams) is the single mother of a two year old boy, Alex, who is severely disabled.  He is non-verbal, limited in his physical ability, and requires round the clock care.  We meet one of his more reliable nurses, Sherry (played by Brenda Wehle), who generously offers Mary Jane support and advice that are above her job requirements.  When Alex has a series of seizures, he is taken to the hospital for an extended stay.  Mary Jane does not leave his side, and unfortunately, loses her job.  Her love and dedication are unwavering.  After a number of weeks, Alex undergoes surgery.  It is then we see how Mary Jane’s identity is fully enmeshed in being the mother of this special needs child.

Rachel McAdams as Mary Jane
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

The beauty of Ms. McAdams’ performance is in the unraveling of her character.  In the first few scenes, we see her surface.  She is outgoing, positive, and accepting.  As the action progresses, we see her unsure, waiting.  We sense her isolation.  She is searching, reaching out for connection.  In the final scene and final moment of the play, we see the truth of her character.  It is afterwards that we realize that the optimism portrayed in the opening scenes was a mask.  The choices Ms. McAdams made in those earlier scenes were purposeful and specific.  They were stiff, awkward.  A façade.  The character’s core is revealed in the final scene.  Her guard is down.  She is comfortable facing herself.  Her sadness and anxieties dissipate.  Her revelation in the final moment is enlightening.  This is a well-crafted performance. 

Rachel McAdams & Susan Pourfar
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

One of the most well-written scenes in the play is the one between Mary Jane and Chaya (played by Susan Pourfar), an Orthodox Jewish woman.  They meet in the hospital, and share their feelings about motherhood, faith, and raising a child with severe disabilities.  It is honest and direct.  The characters both have a deep need for connection.  They have no hesitation opening up and trusting one another.  This scene is excellently written, masterfully directed, and genuinely performed. 

Mary Jane has been extended through June 30.  This play gives a visceral understanding of the depth of love inherent in motherhood.  The entire cast (Rachel McAdams, Brenda Wehle, April Matthis, Susan Pourfar, and Lily Santiago) is superb.  

Domenick Danza