Broadway star Jennifer Simard has opened up about the health challenges she faced during the production of *Death Becomes Her*, as well as her recent return to the stage in *Schmigadoon!*. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the three-time Tony Award nominee revealed that she underwent significant surgery that she had kept private while completing her run in the former show.
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Simard underwent a hysterectomy and oophorectomy on July 6, after years of suffering from uterine fibroids, a condition that had culminated in severe health issues including emergency room visits due to heavy bleeding. Reflecting on her experience, Simard noted, “What most people don’t know is towards the end of the run I actually had to spend some time in the emergency room for some hemorrhaging.” The difficulties she faced were compounded by the fact that her condition was worse than initially diagnosed; while doctors initially estimated she had eight fibroids, she ultimately discovered that there were 15.
Despite her health struggles, Simard managed to complete her performances in *Death Becomes Her* before it closed on June 28, expressing pride in her ability to continue under challenging circumstances. “I’m very proud that I got to finish the show, but it took a lot of strength,” she said, emphasising the toll it took on her physically and mentally.
Throughout her final months in the production, Simard became aware of criticism from some theatregoers who questioned her absences. Although she tried to stay away from online commentary to protect her mental well-being, she learned that some individuals had been unsympathetic regarding her health struggles. “They didn’t know what I was suffering with — honestly, for years,” she stated, hoping that by sharing her journey, audiences might become more understanding of performers who sometimes face unforeseen challenges.
In her plea for compassion, Simard stated, “I would just say to please, please, please grant, if I could, to please grant grace to stage performers because there are a lot of people who would take time off from work to get life-saving surgery, and that is what I had to have done.” Her heartfelt appeal highlighted the often unseen pressures that performers endure and the importance of empathy in the theatrical community.
On a brighter note, Simard reported that her recovery from surgery has gone smoothly, taking approximately six weeks. She credited her “incredible” surgeon for performing the laparoscopic procedure without any complications, saying, “I had no issues whatsoever. So, lucky me.”
After a brief hiatus, Simard returned to the Broadway stage on September 8, stepping into the role of Mildred Layton in *Schmigadoon!*. Her new role reunites her with many colleagues and friends she has collaborated with in the past, further easing her transition back into theatre. The production also places her back in the same theatre where she received her first Tony nomination for *Disaster!* in 2016, adding a layer of nostalgia to her return.
Simard expressed enthusiasm about returning to the stage, saying, “I like to work. I like having a schedule. I love a theatre schedule. I love the discipline of it.” She conveyed her joy at the seamlessness of her return, both from the cast and the audience, declaring, “I have felt so seamlessly embraced.”
The Broadway veteran also reflected on what the experience of performing in *Schmigadoon!* means to her following her trials in *Death Becomes Her*. “It has got heart and it’s honest. It’s really, really charming. And I’m having the time of my life,” she noted, hinting at how much she cherishes the opportunities theatre provides for personal fulfilment and connection.
As tickets for *Schmigadoon!* are now on sale, Simard’s story serves as a reminder of the personal sacrifices many performers make and the need for compassion from their audiences. Her journey highlights the resilience of artists in the face of adversity and the joy that theatre can ultimately bring to both performers and audiences alike.