George Clooney Shares Funny Broadway Story Involving James Earl Jones and Audience Chatter
In a memorable moment from Broadway’s rich history, George Clooney recalled a time when James Earl Jones, legendary actor and theater icon, stopped a performance of Fences due to disruptive audience chatter. This incident, which took place during the 1987 production of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, has resurfaced following Jones’ death in September 2024 at the age of 93. Clooney recently shared the amusing story during an interview on Variety’s Actors on Actors with Patti LuPone.
James Earl Jones Confronts Chatter During Broadway Play
Clooney was seated next to two elderly theatergoers who were talking loudly throughout the performance. As James Earl Jones delivered an emotionally charged soliloquy on stage, Clooney recalled that the audience members sitting beside him were too distracted to pay attention, asking questions about the plot aloud.
The actor vividly described Jones’ reaction: “James is standing at the end of the stage, delivering his monologue, and these people are talking about what he just said,” Clooney explained. “James just stares at me, unable to see clearly, but clearly frustrated by the noise. Then, mid-performance, he stops and says, ‘I don’t appreciate that shit.’” Clooney humorously added that he pointed to the elderly woman next to him, saying, “It’s not me, it’s this chick.”
The Legacy of James Earl Jones and Broadway Theater
The production of Fences holds a significant place in Broadway history, with James Earl Jones famously portraying Troy Maxson, a role that won him the Tony Award for Best Actor. Set in segregated Pittsburgh during the 1950s, Fences delves into themes of racial struggles, generational conflict, and personal redemption. Jones’ performance was pivotal to the success of the play, which won four Tony Awards and helped cement his reputation as one of the greatest actors in theater.
Following the passing of the EGOT-winning actor, a memorial for James Earl Jones was held at the James Earl Jones Theatre (formerly known as Cort Theatre) in Manhattan, where notable figures like Denzel Washington, Phylicia Rashad, and Whoopi Goldberg gathered to honor his illustrious career.
George Clooney and Patti LuPone Share Theater Stories
Clooney’s story comes on the heels of another theater anecdote shared by Patti LuPone, who recounted a time she confronted an audience member for texting during a performance. LuPone’s bold move, which involved physically taking the phone from the audience member, was met with a mix of gasps and applause from the audience.
Both Clooney and LuPone’s stories highlight the ongoing battle between performers and distracted theatergoers, a challenge that has become more pronounced in the age of smartphones and social media. These anecdotes serve as reminders of the importance of respecting live performances and the art of Broadway theater.
