Wax brings 'Jackson' back to the Manship

• By ROBIN MILLER
• Arts writer
• Published: Jul 12, 2009

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They were looking for the woman who wrote the play.

What?

Yes, the playwright had to be a woman, because only a woman would have such insight into the female psyche.

But —

No, listen. Only a woman could understand what it means to be trapped in a situation, helpless. And only a female victim of domestic violence could fully identify with another.

At least, to the extent that it’s portrayed in The Scutley Papers.

So, where is she? Where’s the playwright?

Jamie Wax raised his hand and waved one of those “right here” waves. Which, of course, confused everyone.

Wax certainly isn’t a woman. Oh, he plays one among his five characters in Goin’ to Jackson, which is in the midst of its 20th year of performances.

“I started performing this play 19 years ago, but this is the 20th year for me to do it,” Wax said. “Does that make sense? Well, we’re going to wait until next year to celebrate Goin’ to Jackson’s 20th anniversary.”

This year’s run will open Friday, July 17, at the Manship Theatre. Wax already has performed it in other Louisiana locations.

“But there’s nothing like coming back to the Manship Theatre,” he said. “I can’t emphasize that enough.”

Those familiar with Wax’s play knows it is one of two one-man plays penned by Wax. The other is his Christmas favorite, A Gift for Lyman Bourke.