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

November 24th, 2024

"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.

Throughout my teenage years and the rise of social media, I immersed myself in her books, videos, and documentaries, eager to learn from her experiences as I ventured into the entertainment world myself. Even though I didn’t come from a background of entertainers, I felt like Joan had the answers I was seeking. Studying her delivery, wit, and boundless energy, I admired how she continually reinvented herself. If you wanted to thrive in life or the entertainment business, Joan was the blueprint.

The summer of 2014 was transformative for me. At 17, heading into my senior year of high school, I met Joan during her “Diary of a Mad Diva" tour. She exceeded all my expectations, and our conversation remains etched in my memory. Less than a month later, Joan passed away, and I couldn’t fathom that our conversation would be the last. The thought of never being able to tell Joan how profoundly her influence impacted me at such a young age was heartbreaking, as it played a key role in shaping me into the industry professional I am today.

Ten years after Joan’s passing, this past October, I found myself enjoying a charming date across the street from South Coast Rep when I noticed Joan’s face piercing through the window on a large banner. Sipping my Manhattan, I couldn’t help but gasp, "Joan?" Without a second thought, I dashed across the street to get a closer look. And there she was—my goodness, it was JOAN F*CKING RIVERS!

I instantly thought of Melissa and the important role she plays in managing her mother’s legacy. "Is this Melissa-approved?" and thankfully, it was. Over the years, I had followed countless rumors of potential projects, many of which never came to fruition—credit to Melissa Rivers for handling those with such grace (mother would be so proud).

Instead of making its debut on a grand Broadway stage, JOAN premiered at South Coast Repertory. This powerful play, written by Daniel Goldstein and directed by David Ivers, showcases Joan Rivers' iconic voice and sharp humor through her own original material. The script powerfully chronicles her life and legacy, delving into the depth of her journey while not treading lightly on the controversies and conflicts, including her infamous fallout with Johnny Carson and the tension with his successor, Jay Leno. (And speaking of Leno, let’s not even go there.)

I’ll admit, my review is heavily influenced by my personal connection to Joan, and I might be biased. It’s never easy watching someone else portray an icon like her, whose legacy is as monumental as those of Prince, Marilyn, Michael, and Elvis. You can’t simply replicate their brilliance. When it comes to playing such legendary figures, actors must tread carefully—there’s a fine line between honoring their greatness and trying to mimic perfection. Unless you’ve experienced the full force of Joan, both in person and onstage, you can’t fully capture the essence of what made her unique. For me, seeing someone else embody Joan was a difficult experience. 

That's when Tessa Auberjonois steps in, taking on the leading role of Joan Rivers. Tessa was undeniably brave, and I know that’s what Joan would have wanted—to see a woman take risks. Because of that, I found solace in reliving all the highs and lows of Joan’s life through her performance. Each scene felt intricately crafted, often transporting me back to those moments! Joan would have reveled in the idea of being portrayed by an actress, as she had at one point wanted to be taken seriously in that role herself. If we look at the bigger picture, she created an opportunity for someone else to shine on the stage. Now that's a legacy.

In true Joan fashion, I anticipate the show will expand on a larger scale. The script has potential, with room for improvement, particularly in terms of transitions, pacing, and the emotional arcs of the storyline. I felt that Joan’s costume changes were somewhat underwhelming and didn’t capture the grandiose flair she was known for. Except for the fur options, which I absolutely loved, I feel there were definitely some missed chances for comedic shots. I would have loved to see the set design or script incorporate Joan’s Liberace-style NYC penthouse, but unfortunately, the script ended too soon. I craved more glamour, more showmanship, more razzle dazzle. I wanted more ra-ra!

That said, the audience reception was overwhelmingly positive, with strong participation, especially during Joan’s iconic "my vagina is so dry" joke. Without missing a beat, the audience responded, "How dry is it?" For some, this was their first exposure to Joan Rivers’ work and her “vagina”. Again, the jokes write themselves.

Oh! And this review wouldn’t be complete without honoring the gays, as Joan was not only ahead of her time but a fearless advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Zachary Prince, who took on multiple roles in the show, brought a genuine warmth to the stage. But truly, his portrayal of the lovable Chet was nothing short of extraordinary—an absolute standout that stole the scene.

In an unexpected twist, I found myself falling in love with Elinor Gunn, who portrayed Melissa Rivers. She truly brought the character to life, and I couldn’t help but yearn for more of those mother-daughter moments. After all, Joan always knew best, and Melissa naturally played into her mother’s humor. Elinor captured that connection effortlessly, making it one of the most compelling aspects of the whole show. She carried several scenes on her own, effortlessly holding the spotlight.

JOAN is handsomely produced and endlessly entertaining—a vibrant reminder of a bygone era of showbiz. The play reveals a woman who remained unapologetically true to herself, both onstage and off. Now, more than ever, you'll find yourself asking the same question I've been grappling with for the last ten years: What would Joan do?

This outlet has reached out for an interview with Melissa Rivers.

Nicole’s Rating: ★★★★☆

JOAN presented by South Coast Repertory

Run Dates: Oct 27 - Nov. 24, 2024

Visit: www.scr.org