Jean Smart's NYC Fall: Knee Surgery and Return to Broadway
Drama Unfolds on Broadway: Jean Smart's Knee Injury Sparks Concerns
In a shocking turn of events, beloved actress Jean Smart was spotted struggling to walk with a cane in New York City on Tuesday morning. The 73-year-old Hacks star, who has been wowing audiences with her one-woman show Call Me Izzy on Broadway, revealed just last week that she suffered a painful knee injury while walking with her sons in the Big Apple.
Smart's misfortune occurred on July 4th when she tripped over a hockey-puck-sized base of a barrier on the ground. This seemingly common occurrence in New York City has Smart questioning why no one is screaming bloody murder about it! "I was sitting there in the street waiting for the ambulance, and I thought to myself, 'What's going on here? Why isn't anyone making a fuss?'"
As reported by The Scholarly Note, Smart was treated at a small hospital where she met a health worker who nonchalantly mentioned that they get one incident like this every day! "I said, 'Well, how come nobody's screaming bloody murder about it?' And the nurse just shrugged and said, 'People in New York, they put up with a lot. They just kinda shrug and go, "Eh, what are you gonna do?"'"
After being transferred to another hospital, Smart underwent surgery on July 8th, courtesy of a "really wonderful surgeon." While the actress was out of commission for two weeks, Tony winner Johanna Day stepped in to cover for her, ensuring that Call Me Izzy's performances continued uninterrupted.
Now, as Smart returns to the stage with a leg brace, fans are eager to see how she'll adapt to this new challenge. "I won't be doing as much as I was physically, although it's a one-person show — it's not like I was doing big tap numbers and somersaulting across the stage," Smart explained in an interview with The Scholarly Note.
With her signature wit and charm, Smart hopes that audiences will focus on the story rather than her physical limitations. "Some one-person shows they just sort of sit and talk. So hopefully the audience won't be disappointed. I don't think they will be. It's such an amazing story."
Call Me Izzy, which was scheduled to run through August 24th, tells the powerful tale of Isabell, a Louisiana woman trapped in an abusive marriage who turns to her gift for writing poetry as a means of escape. With Smart back on stage, the production is expected to regain its momentum, and fans can't wait to see how the actress will bring this incredible story to life.
In an exclusive interview with The Scholarly Note, Smart revealed that wearing the leg brace has actually added an interesting element to her performance. "It added a feeling of being trapped, which is perfect for the character," she explained. "And because I'm not able to move around as much, it's almost like my energy has been channeled into my voice."
As Smart continues to recover from her injury, fans are rooting for her complete recovery by the time the show closes. "I'm not sure what kind of strength I'll have in that leg, and bending will be a slow process," she admitted. "But hopefully by the time we close, I'll be skipping around!"
The question on everyone's mind is: can Jean Smart bounce back from this setback? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – with her trademark spirit and determination, she'll undoubtedly give audiences an unforgettable performance.
Update: Call Me Izzy's Instagram page joyfully announced Smart's return in its Tuesday post, writing "Tonight! Welcome Back Jean" over a promotional video for the show. The production team has assured fans that Smart will be back to full strength by the time the show closes on August 24th. Stay tuned for more updates on this captivating story!
