Henny Russell

Marriage. Partnerships. Relationships. It’s getting so complicated these days. Constance Middleton, the Brit society maven in W. Somerset Maugham’s play, The Constant Wife, said it best: “I’m tired of being the modern wife, a prostitute who doesn’t deliver the goods….When all is said and done, she is nothing but a parasite.” The world has changed a lot since this play was written in 1926, but these shrewd words still ring true.

I, myself, never understood all the brouhaha of tying the knot. Who says a marriage can’t be open if both parties agree? After all, although a marriage can be blessed by a church, it’s still a civil union. What are our roles as partners? All these issues are addressed in the play. When I saw The Constant Wife recently in San Diego at the sophisticated, historic Old Globe, I was captivated by the actress, Henny Russell, who delivered those bold lines with panache and radiant precision.

Henny Russell, an accomplished artist with an extensive stage background, has performed on Broadway (Major Barbara), and in film and television. “There’s something about live theater that can’t be matched,” she says about her favorite medium. Raised outside Chicago, she’s currently working on another indie, revamping her one-woman show, Isabelle, and balancing career with a new marriage. A longtime supporter of Broadway Cares (to which she made a donation in lieu of giving Constant Wife opening night gifts) and GMHC, Russell has lost many colleagues to AIDS.

Leaving a note for her with the house manager, Henny graciously meets me after the performance in the courtyard. We sit under the clock tower, as a cool breeze envelopes us.

Ruby Comer: How did you relate to Constance’s infidelities?
Henny Russell: Constance’s view of marriage is complex. My husband told me before we were married that although he hoped it would always be my choice to be faithful, he believes that it is always my body, my choice. He told me the only thing that would break his heart would be if I were to fall in love with someone else. I feel the same way. [She cocks her head.] Are we unusual? I don’t know.

Every couple gets to decide what kind of marriage they want. There are no rules, except those agreed upon by the two. And that is what Constance is talking about.

My dear, what is your involvement with the AIDS community?

I’m a supporter of Broadway Cares and GMHC. Actually, my opening night gift of The Constant Wife was donated to Broadway Cares. [She crosses her legs and gets more comfortable.] Throughout the years, I’ve lost many people that I’ve worked with.

It’s a damn cryin’ shame. [There’s a moment of silence.] What comes to mind when I say, “AIDS”?
Fear. There are still people who don’t understand that you can’t catch AIDS from hugging a PWA.

Regrettably so. How can we educate more?
It’s like prejudice; education has to start so much earlier. Kids are just sponges. And I don’t subscribe to the idea that information leads to action. Talking to your kids about sex doesn’t mean that they’re going to have it at an earlier age. That’s ridiculous. French kids are taught from a very young age how to drink responsibly and so it’s not an issue. In this country, there are teens driving drunk or high. If you make something a big deal, or forbid it, they are going to want to do it!

That’s a standing ovation, Henny, like they did tonight in the theatre! Absolutely in agreement with you.
Many people think that AIDS will never happen to them. Being invincible is a pervasive attitude in this country, which is why 9/11 caught us so by surprise. And I’m not excluding myself from this, because I grew up with this attitude of entitlement and that we’re invincible [as well].

Invincibility is such a myth, Henny.
People have this idea that if you get HIV it’s your own fault. There’s no empathy with this virus like there is with other diseases. I think that’s part of why it’s not getting the attention in the media it should. We can try to attack the stigma, but I don’t know if we can. You know, talking to you tonight, Ruby, about AIDS, makes me realize that I don’t think about it enough…[she purses her lips and looks off into the distant night—a definite Constance characteristic].

Ruby Comer is an independent journalist from the Midwest who is happy to call Hollywood her home away from home. Reach her by e-mail at MsRubyComer@aol.com.

July 2006