Peace For Mary Frances

Peace for Mary Frances is playing at the Signature Theatre located at 480 West 42nd Street. It runs two hours forty minutes with one intermission. The play closes on June 17, 2018.

Johanna Day was nominated for two Tony Awards for Sweat (2017) and Proof (2000).

J. Smith Cameron was nominated for a Tony Award for Our Country’s Good (1991). She is known for her role as Janet Talbot in Rectify (2013-2016).

The place is West Hartford, Connecticut.

Mary Frances (Lois Smith) is lying on the coach, she has oxygen tube in her noise. Her daughter Fanny (Johanna Day) is rambling on about the articles in the paper and their neighbors. Fanny’s sister Alice (J. Smith-Cameron) comes into the house with her two daughters, Rose (Natalie Cole and Helen (Heather Burns). Rose has her infant child with her.

Alice notices the oxygen monitor is not working and her mother is not getting the oxygen she needs. She starts screaming at Fanny. Fanny comes to look after her mom but not on a 24 hour basis.

Their brother Eddie (Paul Lazar) comes to visit her. When he comes he hangs out in her room eating. Mary Frances asks him if he has paid her taxes.

Alice realizes her mom can’t be left alone. She is in pain and can’t take care of herself. She is frantic because she won’t be able stay. Mary Frances agrees to give her money to pay her bills.

Social Services come to the home. Bonnie (Mia Katigbak) tells them on what to do to help their mother. She will put on morphine. When she visits again she tells Mary Frances she has a few weeks to live. Her reply is I am 90 and ready to go.

Things heated up on who is going to take of her. Alice said she would continue to take care of her mother is she continues to give her money to pay her bills. She said she gives Fanny and Eddie money. Mary Frances resents that she has to give Alice money to take of her.

A hospice worker Michael (Brian Miskell) tries to help.

In the end they get someone to care of her. Clara (Melle Powers) takes care of her but can’t give her drugs.

The play revolves around Mary Frances and the friction between her children. It gets intense between Fanny and Alice. We learn about them and get a hint of their childhood.

This is one dysfunctional family.

This is a powerful play to see.

Dane Laffrey does an outstanding job on the set.

The cast does a stellar job. Johanna Day and J. Smith-Cameron do a remarkable job. You feel for them, it’s so profound.

Review by Rozanna Radakovich.

Photos by Anazor.

To read a candid interview with the cast, scroll down to the left for photos. Click on photo for this and other shows.