Jan Maxwell — Page 3

She was in the first Broadway show I ever saw, The Sound of Music. I also got to see her in everything she did on Broadway since Chitty Bang Bang, which included all five of her tony nominated performances as well as some off-broadway plays. I've gotten to be in some pretty exciting rooms with some pretty exciting people through my job and she was one of the very few who never let her success get to her head and treated the intern (ME) the same way she did Mr. Sondheim.



This was my favorite as a teenager. Worth watching the whole thing.

https://youtu.be/-GqwYG92tIE

WhizzerMarvin said: "Her performance in The Royal Family was so good. I remember her running around the stage with her overly hammy (on purpose) acting until she collapsed on the rug, only to spring up again when she thought she would be late for the theater. It was hysterical and perfectly pitched."

I often talk about her performance in this show and that moment especially. Ranting and raving about how her daughter WILL be married and NOT an actress etc etc, throwing herself on the ground with "and I am going to stand beside you and cry from happiness and wish to God it was ME!" only to have the maid say "10 minutes til curtain, Miss Cavandish" to have her instantly stand up and BOLT out the door, grabbing her coat and hat from the maid. A brilliant act-closer.

She was utterly perfect in every role she took on. I'm deeply sad we'll never get her Dolly, her Mame, or her Nora in Doll's House Part 2. RIP

Very, very sad news. I saw Follies 5 times in NY (often from the 5th row, thanks to TKTS) and 5 times in LA. I oddly started thinking of them all as friends. And even as cool Phyllis, Jan expressed a warmth that radiated out to the audience.

My eye was always drawn to her during Who's That Woman? Not the greatest dancer in the world, but she did those steps with such a sense of fun and enthusiasm.

I will never forget her. Rest in Peace.

So many great performances. But the one I cherish the most is A Doll's House. The first time I, and so many of us, ever saw Jan Maxwell or Janet McTeer. McTeer's Nora is deservedly regarded as legendary. But Maxwell's Christine was equally extraordinary.

Updated On: 2/12/18 at 12:18 PM

I have nothing profound to say, but I will echo what all of you have already said. Too soon, too young, so much talent, and I am very sad about this loss. She was an amazing performer, and I will miss her.

If they dimmed the lights for Robin Williams and Carrie Fisher, they sure as hell should do it for a woman who devoted her life to acting on stage. But I'm not going to hold my breath.

If they don't want to dim the lights, won't there just be another ruckus ala Joan Rivers? I was thinking last night about how she probably would have landed a huge TV or Film had she not so often been contracted for Broadway and off-Broadway productions.

They dimmed the lights for Roger Rees - surely they will for Jan.

Jan Maxwell changed my life in the Kennedy Center's production of Follies. I had never before seen someone with so much access to their talent - I remain shaken by her Phyllis.



I'm really enjoying the clips posted in this thread of Jan in performance but many may not know the wit and humor the lady herself possessed. Here's a delightful interview with Seth Rudetsky that Jan gave while she was starring in Follies on Broadway:

This is a loss that is and will be deeply felt, but let her humor, talent, and compassion live on.

Updated On: 2/13/18 at 06:40 PM