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EXCLUSIVE: Jessica Lange Honors Sam Shepard

Lange paid tribute to her late partner at La MaMa’s Coffeehouse Chronicles.

Jason Zednick
New York City
Jessica-Lange, Hannah Jane Shepard, and Samuel Walker Shepard paid tribute to Sam Shepard at La Mama's Coffeehouse Chronicles.
Jessica Lange, Hannah Jane Shepard, and Samuel Walker Shepard paid tribute to Sam Shepard at La Mama's Coffeehouse Chronicles.
(© Theo Cote)

Sam Shepard's longtime partner Jessica Lange paid tribute to his life and career at La Mama's Coffeehouse Chronicles on October 7. Though Lange and Shepard never married, they were together for nearly 30 years and had two children together. Shepard passed on July 27 at the age of 73.

Michal Gamily (left) and and Sandy Rogers (right) discuss the life and work of Sam Shepard in a panel moderated by Jean Claude van Itallie (center).
Michal Gamily (left) and and Sandy Rogers (right) discuss the life and work of Sam Shepard in a panel moderated by Jean Claude Van Itallie (center).
(© Theo Cote)

A special edition of the theater's regular series, the tribute was hosted by off-off-Broadway pioneer Jean Claude Van Itallie and featured live and video tributes as well as rare footage and theatrical memorabilia. Individuals featured in the tribute included Cary Gant, Mike Gorman, Thomas Keith, Harry Mann, Wayne Maugans, Peter Stampfel, Leslie Silva, Amy Rox Surratt, and Clea Rivera. CoffeeHouse Chronicles is curated and directed by Michal Gamily.

Leslie Silva performed.
Leslie Silva performed.
(© Theo Cote)

Shepard was one of the playwrights championed by late La MaMa founder Ellen Stewart. The theater premiered his works including Melodrama Play, Changes, The Unseen Hand, and The Sad Lament of Pecos Bill, among others.

For more information on attending the Coffeehouse Chronicles, click here.