"That's how it is on this bitch of an earth." Samuel Beckett
Two weeks ago I was given the news that my dear friend and colleague Janet Ward has been diagnosed with lung cancer. I was told the cancer was quite advanced
(stage 4) and metastasized. The news left me stunned. How could this be possible? She's fine. I saw her not too long ago. We were planning to have a martini!Janet is one of the most extraordinary human beings I've known. I met her when she came into the Joseph Chaikin Workshop back in '99. She has the radiant features of a woman half her age - and a body better than most women of any age - a bristling intelligence, an unquenchable curiosity for life, and the soul of an angel. Joe knew that about Janet too. Higher beings sense one another right away.
To me, Janet is an actor and a poet, a trusted colleague. But she is also a mother, a grandmother, a working professional, and a life force for so many friends and acquaintances across the country. Whenever I think of Janet I think of Samuel Beckett. Working with Joe Chaikin, she couldn't get enough of the Irish playwright. She worked on Rockabye, Endgame, and Footfalls. She was stellar in her role of Miss Fit in the Caliuga Arts production of All That Fall at the Cherry Lane Theatre. Most recently, Janet has been working on Winnie from Happy Days with director Miriam Eusebio, which is slated to go up in the 2009 season.
I really bonded with Janet, however, in the summer of 2004. The Republican National Convention was being held here in New York. A mutual friend of ours had written a play - somewhat of a protest piece - and was putting it up at the American Place Theatre's new space on 8th Avenue & 36th Street. Practically across the street from the convention. Our "friend" (who shall remain nameless) asked me to direct the show, and we invited Janet to come on board as our producer. Janet worked her ass off like always. She throws herself head-first into everything she does. And together we had done a pretty good job of pulling off a show with absolutely no backing or resources. We were betrayed by our "friend" however, when on the opening performance (with the New York Times in the house) he decided to throw away all of the direction and guidance and go onstage holding a script. It was a disaster. Things got even worse when his crazy wife came into the mix, shooting accusatory glares at both Janet and me. I guess we had been scapegoated for her husband's lack of professionalism. Anyway, we left the theater feeling like we had been mugged by a member of our own family. A few scotches later though, we knew we would be ok, and probably the stronger for our experience.
I'm so angry that such a lovely and talented person should be struck by a cruel disease. She has so much more to offer us - her words, her words, her gorgeous inspiring words! In 2003 Janet's poem Change was the winner in the adult category of the Poetry Society of America's Poetry In Motion 10th Anniversary Contest. It was put up in subway cars across thee city. You cannot imagine how proud I was, sitting on the F train, looking up at Janet's words, thinking "she's my friend". Thousands of people drew inspiration from this one poem everyday: (click on it to read it)
So, may the love and inspiration that you gave to so many find its way back to you now, Janet. May it give you the strength you need as you heal and recover. With love and admiration....w.
