Video: Mary Jane Is Activating Rachel McAdams' 'Theatre Nerd'

"The theatre nerd in me is losing her mind," says Rachel McAdams. That's because she's currently making her Broadway debut in Mary Jane, a play by Amy Herzog (who is also the adaptor of the currently running An Enemy of the People). Hear about how Herzog and director Anne Kauffman realized that McAdams would be the perfect actor to play the title role in the show in the video above.

Opening night for Mary Jane is April 23, with the limited run set to continue through June 2. The show centers on a single mom raising an ill child. Though this is McAdams' stage debut, she did play a theatre actor early in her career in the Canadian TV show Slings and Arrows, which followed a Shakespearean company.

The cast of Mary Jane also includes Brenda Wehle as Ruthie and Tenkei, April Matthis as Sherry and Dr. Toros, Susan Pourfar as Brianne and Chaya, and Lily Santiago as Amelia and Kat. Katya Campbell, Susanna Guzmán, and Megumi Nakamura round out the company as understudies.

The production features scenic design by Laura Jellinek, sound design by Leah Gelpe, costume design by Brenda Abbandandolo, lighting design by Ben Stanton, and hair, wig, and make-up design by J. Jared Janas. Narda E. Alcorn is production stage manager, and casting is by Caparelliotis Casting's Kelly Gillespie.

Manhattan Theatre Club is also currently presenting John Patrick Shanley's Brooklyn Laundry Off-Broadway at New York City Center with Cecily Strong and David Zayas leading the cast. Performances continue through April 14. Mary Jane is the company's final Broadway production for the season. MTC recently announced its 2024–25 season, which includes the Sondheim revue Old Friends starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga.

Visit ManhattanTheatreClub.com.