Grey Gardens...late to the party

[wicked1492]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 11:11am

So I recently purchased the Grey Gardens OBCR and watched the HBO special and am OBSESSED with both. Can't stop watching and listening. I wish I could've seen it on Broadway. Anyway, I have a few questions: Why was Sarah Gettlefinger replaced by Erin Davie as Young Little Edie? How did the Prologue transition into Five-Fifteen so quickly (Christine going from Little to Big Edie)? How did the set change from Act 1 to Act 2? And was Jackie ever shown or mentioned in Act 2?

Thanks! :)

Updated On: 4/6/10 at 11:11 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 11:27am

Watch the original documentary. There is also a documentary done that follows the musical.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 11:28am

Little Edie in the Prologue was seen only in silhouette in the window. MAry Lousie Wilson was Big Edie circa '73. She sings "Girl Who Has Everything" and the set of the dilapidated house parts to reveal Big Edie in the 40s singing the same song, same pose, same kimono only thirty yeas newer.
Jackie was never shown in act 2 except as a "ghost" or specter in "You're Entering Grey Gardens"

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 12:13pm

Also, that HBO thing wasn't a 'special'. It was a TV movie based on the 1975 Maysles Brothers documentary -- NOT the 2006 Broadway musical. It basically told the same story as the musical did (more authentically, of course) of the early years of the Beales.

As mentioned above, first and foremost... you MUST watch the Maysles' original 1975 documentary on the ladies as well as the 2006 sequel THE BEALES OF GREY GARDENS. THIS is the basis for all things GREY GARDENS. If you're solely interested in the 2006 Broadway musical incarnation, you need to seek out the 3rd documentary: the 2007 PBS INDEPENDENT LENS documentary: GREY GARDENS: From East Hampton to Broadway.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 2:33pm

I saw the show before I knew anything about the Beales and it immediately was one of my favorite musicals. Still, the original documentary is obviously a must. The 2007 Independent Lens documentary is pure fluff. I still haven't caught the TV movie... Updated On: 4/6/10 at 02:33 PM

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 2:41pm

There are two Maysles documentaries about the Beales, GREY GARDENS and a follow up entitled THE BEALES OF GREY GARDENS. THE BEALES OF GREY GARDENS is made up of leftover footage from the original film.

The Maysles' GREY GARDENS is essential viewing.

[wicked1492]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 5:42pm

Yes. I am well aware that it was a TV Movie, I just didn't know how to refer to it. Thanks for the snark though!

So, why was Sarah Gettlefinger replaced by Erin Davie? Did she have to prepare to replace Rachel York in 101 Dalmations...? haha.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 6:02pm

Sara Gettelfinger, who gave a terrific performance as Young Little Edie at Playwrights Horizons, was replaced for Broadway primarily because, while she did look a lot like the real Little Edie at that age, she did not look enough like Christine Ebersole to be believable from Act I to Act II. Erin Davie looks very similar to Ebersole, and was a better fit, dramatically, in that regard.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 6:36pm

Jackie is mentioned briefly in Act 2 a couple of times. We do not see her as an adult though, only as a memory/ghost, and she is still played by a child (Sarah Hyland).

The set for Act 1 was mostly the living room in the Beales' East Hampton mansion. They did transition to outside for 2 songs (Marry Well and Goin Places) and it also changed a bit for Will You?.

In Act 2 the set changed several times - it was Big Edie's bedroom, Little Edie's room, outside, the front of the house, etc. But while the first act was very bright and grand, the second act was obviously very dark. But in Act 2 we never saw the same room we saw in Act 1 (I am pretty sure - it has been almost 3 years since the closing performance).

As for the Sarah vs. Erin debate (for the millionth time), I only saw Erin but between Sarah on the recording and Erin, I much prefer Erin. She has a stunning voice and gave an absolutely gut-wrenching, heartbreaking performance. I'm sure Sarah did as well, but I did not see her.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 6:53pm

Sarah was amazing in the part and actually looked a lot like a young Little Edie. However, next to Ebersole, the transition from Act 1 to 2 seemed awkward due to the lack of physical resemblance. IMO, Sarah was better in the part than Davie, who looked nothing like Little Edie, if you ask me. She did look like a young Ebersole though.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 7:25pm

Sara Gettelfinger and Christine Ebersole:


Erin Davie and Christine Ebersole:

[Here I Am]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 10:38pm

Yes, Davie looked EXACTLY like a young Miss Ebersole, which I'm sure is the sole reason of why she took over the role. However, she blew my mind in the role. I wasn't able to see Gettlefinger in the part... but in my humble opinion, Erin Davie was robbed of a Tony nomination. Her performance of 'Daddy's Girl' live was absolutely sensational!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 10:46pm

I agree Erin's Daddy's Girl was stunning and she reads a lot younger than Gettlefinger, which I guess works better for the part. I could never see Davie as sexy though, which is what Little Edie was. Gettlefinger has those gorgeous legs and was every inch "Body Beautiful Beale".

[laura is broadway]

Posted: 6/17/10 at 11:33pm

"you need to seek out the 3rd documentary: the 2007 PBS INDEPENDENT LENS documentary: GREY GARDENS: From East Hampton to Broadway"

Where could I find this?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/17/10 at 11:48pm

I'm obsessed with GG.

I have a tattoo of Little Edie on my right wrist, and Big Edie on my left forearm.

[binau]

Posted: 6/17/10 at 11:54pm

I don't know anything about this musical (or the original story), but I want to - I feel like I'm "missing out".

Is watching the original documentary then listening to the cast recording sufficient to get the gist of it? Or should I watch the HBO movie then cast recording? (I don't know anything about the story).

Or should I buy the libretto? I don't knowww.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/17/10 at 11:59pm

Watch the original GREY GARDENS and THE BEALES OF GREY GARDENS first.

Then watch the HBO film.

Then, you'll be able to follow the book/recording of the musical quite easily.

Also recommended is the book MY LIFE AT GREY GARDENS by Lois Wright ("The Psalmist of the Hamptons! Palmist, palmist!!!!!)

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 12:38am

You will see Lois in the documentary Grey Gardens. She was at Big Edie's birthday party. She is also the artist who painted the "Big Edie, the world's greatest singer" and "Little Edie the world's greatest dancer" signs

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 1:03am

Grey Gardens is one of my all time favorite musicals. A perfect night of theatre. Transcendent and divine. :)

[notabb]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 12:20pm

There's a very simple reason Sara was replaced. Though very talented she does NOT come off as someone who would fall apart in time. Erin DID seem fragile enough to become the Little Edie of Act 2

[tazber]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 12:25pm

I love GG the musical. It's one of my faves.

Definitely see the original documentary. Unlike the others here however I don't think the follow up documentary is all that great. Aside form some interesting bits it doesn't really enlighten or add to who these women were.

And again, the musical...my god I just love it so.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 4:39pm

The one image I love from the second documentary is the footage of Little Edie leaving the church in town. You see her as the community sees her. When she is in Grey Gardens she seems almost ordinary. Her eccentric behavior is normal. In that scene, you see her as the very strange reclusive woman. Truly heartbreaking.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 4:53pm

I disagree, Taz...I think THE BEALES OF GREY GARDENS offers an even more desperate glimpse into their lives. And there are some hilarious moments that I can't believe didn't make the cut the first time around.

[rjm516]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 5:03pm

Did they ever record a performance of the musical for TV like they sometimes do, or for any other purpose? I wish they recorded every show and legally sold them. Even if you had a 5 year or 10 year waiting period, I wouldn't care. I really want to see the shows I loved so much again, like this one, and see them legally! I'd still see revivals; they're totally different! Come on theatre gods.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 5:07pm

This is my favorite clip from THE BEALES OF GREY GARDENS -- a montage of Little Edie's wardrobe. The song is very poignant, too.
"Perhaps I dream too much alone"