Christine Ebersole - Grey Gardens

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 11:52pm

After seeing the show last night, and thinking about it for 24 hours, I must say Ms. Ebersole's performance is up there with the ALL TIME best female theatrical performances that I have witnessed.

In my mind, her performance in the show is up there with:

Donna Murphy, Passion
Bernadette Peters, Gypsy

It was so layered, so exacting, so vulnerable, and for those of you who have seen it, the last moment of Ebersole's final solo song (Another Winter in a Summer Town) was quite possibly the most intense and heart-tugging moment I have witnessed on the stage.

Anybody care to comment on her performance, which again, I felt is nothing short of mesmerizing.
Updated On: 4/2/06 at 11:52 PM

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 11:58pm

You know, I've always thought that Christine Ebersole was magnificent. She's a goddess in my eyes. But the thing that strikes me about her performance in GREY GARDENS is how mediocre I think the show itself is--and how I would gladly see it ten more times just to see Ebersole's magnificent performance.

And it's funny you should mention "Another Winter in a Summer Town"; I was seriously straining forward in my seat, trying to get closer to her. It was SO POWERFUL. Heh, I was literally on the edge of my seat.

Christine Ebersole, I adore you.

[ShuQ]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:01am

One of the most flawless performances I've ever seen in my life.

I didn't care for the first act of the show, the second act to me was like a completely different show. But Ebersole was consistently stunning throughout. She's a true star!

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:01am

I liked the show a lot, but of course Ebersole was sheer brilliance.

But again, at the end of Another Winter in a Summer Town, when she was just standing there downstage right after her last note, it was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever seen on the stage.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:20am

I may be alone in not knowing, but who does Christine play? I watched GREY GARDENS (documentary) for the first time a few months ago and it seems as if Little Edie's character would be the most poignant and tragic (and possibly most rewarding) of the two. Too bad she's not alive to see it, like the Delaney sisters. I was glad to learn that they were able to see the play based on their lives before they died. On a similar note, I heard recently that there is a movie in the works based on GREY GARDENS starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore as Big and Little Edie, respectively. Apparently, it's a fictionalized account of their later life. Is this true?

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:23am

Act I she plays Edith Bouvier Beale, in Act II she plays Little Edie.

[shermanslave]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:24am

saw the show tonight and have to agree with the accolades about Ms. Ebersole. That last song was so great and I loved how much time she took just letting there be complete silence. That takes guts and it was so perfect. One of those performances that you have to feel so thankful for seeing because it will be talked about for ages.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:25am

I concur. Christine's was one of those performances that you feel privileged to see. She had a great voice, played different characters wonderfully, and had to put so many aspects into them. It's when she responds to her mother near the end that was heartbreaking. Performances like hers make me sad that off-broadway actors cannot be nominated for Tonys.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:25am

Exactly.

She ahd the whole packed audience in the palm of her hand, feeling for her pain and her longing to escape, very powerful.

[Corine2]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:31am

I was there tonight. It was one of the greatest performances I have ever seen in my life. I was fighting back tears.
She is a miracle.
This show blew me away. I am still moved and it has been hours.
Doug Wright did a great job and I loved the music. I hope they record this. I loved the first act. The second act was even stronger but I wish I had carried tissues.
Updated On: 4/3/06 at 12:31 AM

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:33am

I am so thrilled that I am not the only one.

I was telling someone this morning and they thought I was exaggerating how truly magnificent she is in the show.

[Corine2]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:37am

T-
This show better extend. It is a brilliant work. It is a very depressing show, but a masterpiece!
And Matt Cavanaugh has a gorgeous voice. Glad to see him in a good production.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 8:25am

Not only does Ms. Ebersole give the performance of a lifetime, but she is a stunning person in real life as well. I want this show to come to Broadway before the end of the season, even if for a limited run, so she can win that Tony. What a heartbreaking, beautiful performance.

Updated On: 4/3/06 at 08:25 AM

[leadfootlouie]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 8:37am

She was stupendous the night I went and as a "Grey Gardens" fan for many years, so dead on.

[Sister Rose]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 9:03am

Indeed Christine gives one of the all time most brilliant performances EVER. She has so many layers; from the classic 1940ish sound to the hysterical with the character voice as Little Edie, then she just knocks you on your ass with "Around the World" and "Winter in a Summer Town". My God. I saw it for the second time last night after seeing it early in previews. I was hoping that they had fixed the first act a little more. It's almost as if it's two shows for the price of one. The first act is enjoyable but then they grand slam it on the second act. Christine said to a group of us after that they don't have any backers to move it Broadway yet. I hope that somebody will take it out west for fixes and then bring it next season. I'm hoping there is enough buzz about it anyway to keep it going for a while - the reviews were only mixed. I think there is a little miscasting here and there but overall it is a show that has a mixture of delight and raw emotions.

(Corrine, I was sitting almost right behind you and I was trying to decide if that was you.)

[Corine2]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 9:28am

Honey,
I am friendly. Introduce yourself next time.

This show is breathtaking. I think it should move to an Off Broadway intimate house and run for years.
I still can't get over this brilliant show.
And if they don't record it, I will cry.
Updated On: 4/3/06 at 09:28 AM

[Sister Rose]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 10:26am

I will weep buckets if it isn't recorded.

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 10:36am

I know that around the beginning of its run people were saying a Broadway transfer was pretty impossible, but it seems like opinions on the show have been shifting. Do you guys think a Broadway transfer is at all in the cards? And if not, how likely is it that it'll at least extend? I want to see this again so badly, but probably won't get a chance to--unless it extends.

And if it transfers to Broadway, holy sh--there goes my Patti LuPone support, I'll be all about Christine Ebersole.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 10:37am

I don't think a Broadway transfer is likely.

An Off-Broadway transfer maybe, but I don't think it will happen...I hope it does though

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 10:51am

Honey, it is Off-Broadway now. There wouldn't be an Off-Broadway transfer.

[Sleeper2]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:14am

It was recorded. For those of you who were not lucky enough to see this, at least you'll get to listen to the awesome cast recording.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:41am

Off-Broadway Transfer...

PH would transfer it to another Off-broadway space, as they need the theatre...

[Doogie]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 12:14pm

Dodger Stages would work well for this. I walked out of GG thinking, "Its pretty good", but the further away I get from that evening, the more I want to go back.

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 3:06pm

I do computer support for a mid-sized retail chain. We are scheduled to relocate a store outside of Philadelphia Wednesday night and it's up to me to move the computers. I have tix for GREY GARDENS Tuesday night. When the District Manager tried to reschedule the move for Tuesday night, I put my foot down and said NO! And of course, the retail people would die before they would touch a computer cable; they'd rather wait for the IT guy to come down from New York. So the entire move is being delayed until Wednesday so I can see GREY GARDENS. Oh the power!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 3:19pm

What label is doing the CD?