Theater Review: ‘Mary Jane’

Amy Herzog’s “Mary Jane” is remarkable. In depicting the painful story of one woman’s journey of caring for a sick child, she speaks to the many who carry the same burden.
Theater Review: ‘Mary Jane’
(L–R) Liza Colón-Zayas and Carrie Coon in “Mary Jane.” Joan Marcus
Updated:

NEW YORK—There is no little irony in playwright Amy Herzog’s choice of the ordinary name of Mary Jane for her play’s title. As matter-of-fact event follows matter-of-fact event, one begins to reel when considering how this single mother of a chronically ill child can get through one day, let alone day after day, week after ... You get the idea.

Now aged 2 1/2, little Alex was born to Mary Jane (Carrie Coon) after only 25 weeks of gestation. He has cerebral palsy and other ailments, and requires full-time nursing care. What is remarkable is Mary Jane’s calm, rational approach to a multitude of life problems.

Diana Barth
Diana Barth
Author
Diana Barth writes for various theatrical publications and for New Millennium. She may be contacted at [email protected]
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