Performer of the Week! June 8th 2009

Okay, so I really do not need to be given this task again anytime soon because one actress on Y&R continues to amaze me. In order to deflect my bias, I am going to throw out a few performers that stood out for me and let you, the reader, be the final judge.

Candidate #1: Stacy Haiduk as Mary Jane Benson
What can I say? Every time I watch Mary Jane I feel the need to sing some Rick James, b!tch! Please click on the video below and join me in song. I think it sets the mood quite well.

Mary Jane was up to no good in the neighborhood this past week. She was stalking and seducing Jack, hiding behind haystacks, earning a spot on PETA’s hit list, sabotaging a photos hoot for Restless Style, filing restraining orders, showing love the the kids, scrapbooking her enemy list, outwitting JT, and talking to her kitty. I think I managed to list most the Mary Jane’s activities. However, it is hard to keep up with the many faces of this delightfully demented woman.

Mary Jane can transform from the victim to the victimizer, from crazy to sane, from helpless to conniving all in a matter of seconds and the transition is flawless. Stacy Haiduk sells every emotion of Mary Jane. She gives her character a depth and complexity that allows me to see more to Mary Jane than just crazy. I see Mary Jane as a strong, cold and calculated woman who will do what she has to do to get what she wants. Yet, at the same time I see Mary Jane as an emotionally scarred woman who is foolishly reopening those wounds by pursuing a man that will never love her the way she wants him to. Finally, I see Mary Jane as simply crazy and deranged.
Regardless of the side of Mary Jane I see, I am intrigued and want to watch more. Stacy Haiduk has made me a fan. I bow to the awesomeness of her portrayal of Mary Jane Benson.

The next two candidates caught my eye because Monday’s (6/8/09) show. I found the scenes between Ashley and Adam to be very compelling. The following is just a small scene from this episode:

Candidate #2: Chris Engen as Adam Wilson
Although what Adam has done to Ashley in inexcusable, I honestly get the feeling that he is genuinely sorry. It takes great talent to make me empathize with the person who is doing the dirt and on Monday’s episode Chris Engen did just that. He made me feel Adam’s regret for what happened to Ashley. Even as he played mind games with a woman who had just lost her unborn child, I could understand the situation from his perspective. I got the sense of a man finally realizing the ramifications of a well executed but poorly thought out plan.

Oh, and how can I forget him rocking the dress and tow weave. Give the man a hand clap.

Candidate #3: Eileen Davidson as Ashley Abbott
Ashley waking up in bed screaming, “my baby…I’m losing my baby,” is something that I cannot forget anytime soon. Eileen Davidson made me feel Ashley’s desperation in that moment. Although I could care less about her baby with Victor on any other day, I did for an instant. Also, when Ashley spoke with Adam down stairs, her confusion and willingness to trust pulled at the heart strings.

Please let me know what you think. I think my vote is obvious.