Remembering JOAN: A Tribute to the Legacy and Fearless Spirit of Joan Rivers

“Are you a Joan Rivers fan?" That question hit me hard as I walked through the doors of South Coast Repertory on closing night of JOAN. I had never shared my story publicly before, but in that moment, a rush of emotions swelled up inside me. Tears welled in my eyes, but I quickly contained them, knowing Joan wouldn’t want tears—she would want laughter. Coming from a lineage of strong women, I was naturally drawn to her. She embodied Hollywood glamour and was, without a doubt, a class act, dahling. To me, Joan was the holy grail — someone who made sense in a complex world.