Jan Maxwell — Nominee for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play

Show:
The Royal Family

Role:
Julie Cavendish, a 1930s-era Broadway star who holds together her crazy extended family of performers while mulling whether to leave the stage and settle down.

Bio Brief:
A Broadway stalwart for the past two decades, Maxwell specializes in larger-than-life comic roles, with she infuses with intelligence and intensity.

Other Honors for This Role
—Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Play
—Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Play
—Drama League nomination for Distinguished Performance Award

Tony History:
2005: Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
2007: Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play, Coram Boy
2010: Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play, Lend Me a Tenor

Fun Fact:
Maxwell is the fourth actress to receive Tony nominations in two acting categories in the same year—and she did it playing women from the same era (1930s) outfitted in almost identical wigs.

Quotable Quote:
“I was surprised by everything [as a double Tony nominee] because it was such a celebrity-filled season. I was happy just to be working, and this has sent me over the moon. Royal Family started it off, and it put some new air into my soul as far as theater goes, because [the play] is such a beautiful valentine to the theater.” —Maxwell in an interview with Broadway.com, 5/2/10