October 9, 2024 By The Company Theatre
The Company Theatre is proud to announce the world premiere of Baby Jane, a suspenseful and chilling stage adaptation based on the book by Henry Farrell and inspired by the iconic 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. This thrilling production will transport audiences to the decaying Hollywood mansion of former child star Jane Hudson and her wheelchair-bound sister, Blanche.
Set against the backdrop of fading stardom, Baby Jane delves into the twisted memories and dark secrets that haunt the Hudson sisters. Jane, once a darling of the silver screen, now an aging recluse, is obsessed with reviving her long-lost career. As her desperate attempt to return to the spotlight intensifies, her fragile mental state begins to unravel —leading to a chilling confrontation with her sister Blanche, whose own secrets remain locked in their shared past.
This stage version is a world premiere production. With a gripping storyline, psychological tension, and suspenseful twists, audiences are sure to be captivated from start to finish.
The Company Theatre’s production stars two veteran actresses with deep roots in the South Shore theatre community, Mary Beth Murphy and Carol Stearns. In the nearly forty years the pair have been acting in Company Theatre productions, this marks their first time playing opposite each other in lead roles. Murphy, a West Roxbury resident, and Stearns, from Weymouth, both share a long and storied history with the Company. Their onstage reunion comes decades after they first performed together in The Trouble with Angels in 1984. Both actresses have also played the iconic role of Annie Wilkes in separate productions of Misery—Murphy in 1987 and Stearns in 2023.
“Playwright and Company Theatre Managing Director Michael Hammond has had a life-long passion for psychological thrillers, so he was the right person to adapt this classic for the stage,” said Zoe Bradford, award-winning playwright and co-founder of The Company Theatre. “The script was designed to give our incredibly talented actresses a chance to fully explore the psychological complexity of these characters, and I’m certain it will have audiences on the edge of their seats.”
With its decaying Hollywood setting and fraught sibling dynamics, Baby Jane explores the themes of jealousy, obsession, and the devastating effects of time. As Jane’s mental state deteriorates, the tension between the sisters escalates, leading to a shocking and unforgettable climax.
Don’t miss the world premiere of this spine-tingling thriller, a must-see production for anyone who loves psychological drama, suspense, and the allure of old Hollywood.
Baby Jane opens Friday, October 11, and runs through Sunday, October 27. There are evening and matinée performances available. Standard admission tickets are $36.00. Premium seating is available for $42.00. Day of and student discount tickets available. For a complete list of showtimes, to purchase tickets, or for more information, visit www.companytheatre.com or call the box office at 781-871-2787.