Sara Chase, known for her role in "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," is currently balancing her Broadway performance with undergoing chemotherapy. In an emotional discussion on "The Broadway Show with Tamsen Fadal," she opened up about her battle with fallopian tube cancer while starring in the musical adaptation of "The Great Gatsby."
Chase shared with Beth Stevens, Broadway.com's managing editor, that she is simultaneously living her dream and facing a nightmare. The 41-year-old actress, portraying Myrtle Wilson in the production, discovered her health issue just weeks before her first performance in March. The musical had finished its run at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey and was gearing up for Broadway, marking Chase’s first appearance on the Great White Way in over a decade since "First Date" in 2013.
With a small window before rehearsals began, Chase opted for a preventive surgery to remove her fallopian tubes due to her family history of cancer and her BRCA gene status. She explained, “I thought if I didn’t get it done now, it would be a year before Gatsby was over.”
Initially, everything seemed normal, and Chase returned in time for rehearsals. However, in the second week, she received a life-changing call from her doctor, who informed her that cancer was found in her fallopian tubes. Despite catching it early, a full hysterectomy and six rounds of chemotherapy were recommended.
Chase’s immediate concern was about her prognosis and whether she could continue with "Gatsby." She and her doctor devised a treatment plan that accommodated her performance schedule. The surgery was scheduled on the first day of tech rehearsals, and after a brief recovery, she returned to the theater.
Until April 26, a day after the show’s official opening, Chase kept her diagnosis a secret from the creative team and management. She confided only in her stage manager, assistant costume designer, and principal costars Jeremy Jordan, Eva Noblezada, Samantha Pauly, Noah J. Ricketts, and John Zdrojeski, explaining her situation to those she felt close to.
Despite the challenges, Chase is determined to continue performing, balancing her treatment and Broadway duties day by day. She shared the bittersweet experience of recording the cast album while starting to lose her hair, emphasizing the difficulty but also the support she receives from her community.
Chase expressed immense gratitude, acknowledging the support that allows her to face these hardships. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can raise awareness and help others avoid similar situations. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed a desire to help others by sharing her experience and encouraging proactive health measures.
"The Broadway Show with Tamsen Fadal" airs on weekends in syndication. Tickets for "The Great Gatsby" are now available.
The Quran - Chapter An-Najm : 48
And He is the One Who enriches and impoverishes.
وَأَنَّهُ هُوَ أَغْنَىٰ وَأَقْنَىٰ (and that He is the One who gives wealth and preserves [ it ]...53:48) The word ghina means affluence, and ighna' means to give wealth to somebody else, and enrich him.
The word aqna is derived from qinyatun which means preserving and reserve wealth. The meaning of the verse is that it is Allah Who enriches His servants and grants wealth to them to their satisfaction, so that they are able to use some and keep some in their reserve fund for future use.
