"I鈥檓 part of the big divorce era, so my girlfriends and I always seem to be talking about what happened," says comic and The View co-host Joy Behar when asked about the genesis of her current Off-Broadway show, My First Ex-Husband. "We all seemed so happy to be married for a while. But there were expiration dates. I decided to interview some of them and, voila, a show!"
From 1965 to 1981, Joy was married to Joe Behar (she has been happily partnered with Steve Janowitz for decades), but she didn't just use her own experience for My First Ex-Husband. Behar interviewed about 15 women for the 90-minute evening of monologues, running at the newly renovated MMAC Theater on West 60th Street through May 18. "The interviews lasted an hour or two, and after I transcribed them鈥攖his was before voice memo鈥擨 would look for the gold and the arc and then mold them into monologues," Behar explains. "I also added 'jokes' and ideas. Of course, all the names, dates, and places, in addition to occupations, were changed鈥o protect the guilty?!"
Directed by Randal Myler, the production features a rotating lineup of artists from theatre, TV, and film. The first company boasted Behar, Susie Essman, Tovah Feldshuh, and Adrienne C. Moore with subsequent casts including Susan Lucci, Cathy Moriarty, Tonya Pinkins, Veanne Cox, Jackie Hoffman, Carolyn McCormick, and Andrea Navedo. The final New York company, who begin April 23, includes Marilu Henner, Marsha Mason, Julia Sweeney, and Benja K. Thomas.
Behar says it's been "a lot of fun" to hear how the different artists approach the same series of monologues. "Sometimes I鈥檓 surprised by how funny they are. I鈥檓 in awe of how actors can bring words on a page to life and find the humor and pathos in them," Behar remarks, adding, "Each actor has her own spin on it, and that鈥檚 what makes it fun. Case in point: one actor鈥檚 interpretation was serious and touching and another took the same material and made it very funny."
Even her The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg plans to join in on the fun. The EGOT winner will perform the "Where Are You At" monologue during a special Wednesday matinee April 30 that will also feature Behar. (Behar is also performing at the May 7 and 14 matinees.)
Behar believes the monologues are resonating with audiences because they are "relatable. Women see themselves in them even if they haven鈥檛 had the exact experience." Although there are currently no plans to film My First Ex-Husband, a tour is being readied with a possible London engagement.
Behar, it should be noted, is also the author of a series of five short plays, Bonkers in the Boroughs, which was performed at the New York Comedy Festival last year. "My full-length play, Crisis in Queens, has had a few readings with great responses," she adds, "and we鈥檙e hoping to do a production of both projects in the near future."
And, does the comic, host, and writer have a favorite play/playwright or musical?
"I just saw Audra McDonald in Gypsy. I think I鈥檝e seen every actress play Rose," she says. "Everyone but Ethel Merman. I鈥檓 not that old!"
Below current My First Ex-Husband co-stars, Henner (Grease) and Mason (The Roommate), reveal how they met Behar and became involved in My First Ex-Husband.
How did you get involved with My First Ex-Husband?
Marilu Henner: I
judged Miss America with Joy in January 2011, and we had a blast! So,
when my agent and my publicist told me she wanted me to do the show, I
was in! I love Joy!
How did you approach performing the monologues?
As an actor, you are always looking for a Venn diagram between you and the character. I鈥檓 on my third and final husband and I鈥檝e had lots of boyfriends, so it鈥檚 easy to relate to any one of the monologues.
Do you have a favorite monologue from the ones you are doing? What makes that particular monologue special?
I
love both my monologues for different reasons! That鈥檚 like asking
which is your favorite child! And they鈥檙e both totally different
characters, so both are special!
What鈥檚 it like sharing the stage with such accomplished women?
Marsha
and I worked together in 2013 at Bucks County Playhouse in Tale of the
Allergist鈥檚 Wife, and we now sit together on their board. I was always a
huge fan and thrilled we get to play onstage again! Can鈥檛 wait to work
with Julia [Sweeney] and Benja [K. Thomas]! That鈥檚 how you get better! Pick projects with
A+++ people!
Why do you think the monologues are resonating with audiences?
With
the divorce rate being what it is, it鈥檚 a fantastic way for people to
come to the theatre and see what others have been through in their
marriages! There is something for everyone in this show!
How did you get involved with My First Ex-Husband?
Marsha Mason: I met with our producer Rose Caiola and Joy Behar, and they thought I would be a good fit for the show.
How did you approach performing the monologues?
I am approaching it more as a storyteller as well as actor playing a role.
Do you have a favorite monologue from the ones you are doing? What makes that particular monologue special?
I like that my monologues are very different in tone.
What鈥檚 it like sharing the stage with such accomplished women?
I am thrilled to be one of the women who have starred in, and starring with, this material and in this production.
Why do you think the monologues are resonating with audiences?
I think it resonates with all women, all ages and whether divorced or not. And it鈥檚 very funny!
