Interview: Robin Abramson Talks SHADOWLANDS, Portraying a Real Life Person, and Her Most Memorable Audience Moment
By: Stephi Wild Nov. 01, 2017
Shadowlands, the unlikely and true love story of renowned Oxford scholar and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis and the much younger Joy Davidman, a divorced Jewish New Yorker, former Communist and Christian convert, is playing now through January 7th at The Acorn Theatre at Theatre Row.
The smart, brash Joy bursts into Lewis' sedate, middle-aged life and upends it. Lewis is as shocked as anyone to discover that he and Joy have fallen deeply in love - and then almost immediately he must contend with the equally deep pain of losing her when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Funny, poignant and insightful, Shadowlands - also an Oscar®-winning film - is a moving portrait of love and loss, faith and doubt, as inspired by Lewis' own A Grief Observed.
Robin Abramson, who plays Joy, recently chatted with us about her experiences with the show so far, what challenges are presented by playing a real person, and one of her favorite audience reactions has been thus far. Check out the full interview below!
Give me a quick rundown of how Shadowlands has been going!
It's been absolutely amazing. The cast and crew are fantastic. Everyone is so talented, kind, devoted and just all around spectacular.
What has the audience response been like now that you've opened?
It's sort of hard to know for sure and everyone has their own unique experience as they join us for the ride that is Shadowlands. But, I will say that when we had our first audience, I was so thrilled by how much laughter there was! I think audiences are pleasantly surprised by the humor which makes the sniffling we hear in the 2nd act even more rewarding.
What has it been like portraying this real person who once lived?
At first, I was totally overwhelmed. I was wondering if I look like her or think like her. If her family or friends saw the show, would they think I've done her justice? And then I started reading her poetry and all of the various biographies about her and I just fell head over heels in love with her. Joy Davidman was a force of nature. She was a confirmed genius. She graduated high school at 15, college at 18, and was one of few women, let alone Jewish women, accepted into Columbia University's masters program in the 1930s. Nothing stopped Joy. I was floored by her chutzpah and was so thrilled to dig deep into the depths of her heart and soul. I even started to have dreams about her!
Did you refer to the film or previous iterations of the play or did you want to make it completely your own?
I had seen the Hopkins/Winger movie ages ago but ultimately decided it wasn't necessarily a good resource for me. It can be dangerous for me to place too much value on another actors portrayal of a character I'm playing. I run the risk of getting too inside my head and asking myself "How would Debra Winger say this line?". And this has never served me in the past.
What are the challenges that this role has presented you with?
Well, its interesting. I read a LOT about Joy. And there are countless descriptions of her as bossy, pushy, unattractive, difficult, socially awkward, etc. Someone said she seemed angry and sad most of the time. People who first met Joy did not like her. But we are doing a PLAY. It doesn't serve our story for me to portray her entirely as these things. We have to root for her, we have to fall in love with her. So, I would say that a challenge for me during his process has been to release some of what I read about her and just play the words on the page.
How has this been similar or different from projects you've done in the past?
This is my first professional NYC production, which is beyond thrilling. So far, nothing has been as exciting as this in my life. It's like a dream. Additionally, I have been doing a lot of new plays over the past few years, so it's been nice to get to tell a good old fashioned love story.
Do you have any stories or anecdotes from the process you'd like to share?
During one of our first previews, there's an interaction early in the play where Joy puts Jack (C. Lewis) in his place in such a juicy and satisfying way. And this woman in the front row says in full volume "Oh, that was a good one!" And it just delighted me that we inspired people to want to talk back to us .
Is there anything else you'd like to share about the process or the show?
Danny Gerroll is absolutely spectacular. His funny, moving, and nuanced portrayal of C. Lewis is everything. Also, New York Theaters must take note of our director Christa Scott-Reed. You want her on your team. Do not miss this show!
For more information or to purchase tickets to Shadowlands, visit https://fpatheatre.com/production/shadowlands.
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