Mary Jane

As Northlight Theatre continues its 50th Anniversary Season, it presents one of the final productions in its current venue: Amy Herzog's poignant play, Mary Jane. This deeply moving work beautifully captures the unwavering strength and profound emotional depth of a mother as she navigates through her ever-changing realities of caring for her chronically ill child. Focusing on the endurance of Mary Jane and her relationship with other women within her life, which helps her cope with her daily drama of trying to hold down a job, to maintain insurance coverage for her child, and the emotional strain of knowing that her two-year-old son, Alex (who is never seen on stage), has cerebral palsy, and other related medical issues, condition can change at any moment. The play emphasizes the unwavering and eternal love of a mother. She feels compelled to express her love by telling Alex, "You Are Loved," so he understands her emotions. This acknowledgment not only confirms her belief that her love for him sustains her but also reinforces her commitment to caring for him.

The cast is composed entirely of women, featuring Lucy Darapetyan as Mary Jane, a polite, optimistic, and somewhat delusional woman who doesn't want to focus on the severity of her son's illness. She experiences severe migraines that result in "auras." Nevertheless, she finds beauty even while enduring physical and emotional pain. The women form a tight-knit community for support, navigating the bureaucracy and challenges of raising a chronically ill child. The location is Mary Jane's home, where she interacts with her building super, a home-care nurse, and a fellow mother she met online, who has a child with similar conditions.  

The narrative lacks vibrancy, with dialogue that often feels disjointed, particularly evident toward the conclusion, when the priest explains her conversion to Buddhism. I wanted Herzog to share more of the emotional scars and stress associated with dealing with a chronically ill child, as she dealt with during her daughter's rare muscular disease, which passed away in 2023, feeling it would resonate more with his audience. When Alex's condition worsens, the setting shifts to a pediatric intensive care unit, leaving the audience to wonder if Alex's condition was fatal or whether Mary Jane's reassuring faith has given her son another day. This play is layered with push-your-button emotions; however, it could have given more. Still, it profoundly challenges the mind, body, and soul, pushing the boundaries of one's psyche to the limit, and at times, it might feel overwhelmingly intense; for some, it might be too much.

⭐⭐⭐ STARS

Northlight Theatre

Mary Jane

By Amy Herzog

Directed by Georgette Verdin

January 22 - February 22, 2026

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