Grey Gardens - Bway vs. Off-Bway Ending??

Having only heard both cast recordings (Broadway & Off-Broadway) - the two recordings end quite differently. The Off-Broadway version ends with the more happy "Two Peas In A Pod" ending, while the Broadway version ends with the much darker, sad ending with the "Girl Who Has Everything (reprise)". I've read the published script, which has the Broadway ending -- How different was the scene/dialogue leading up to these endings? Why was it changed? Which did you prefer?

That long sting underscoring the tail end of the Two Peas in a Pod reprise on the Off-Broadway cast album is so unsettling and surprising. That song is definitely a better ALBUM ending. Having only seen the Braodway version live, I thought that the quieter, more somber ending certainly worked on its own.

Updated On: 10/29/12 at 02:53 PM

agree^^^

The Bway ending was stunning... (but I didn't see the off-Bway one)

There's a slight similarity between the two endings. August ends with Violet abandoned by her entire family, left begging for them on all fours, but only the housekeeper is left to comfort her.

Grey Gardens ends with Little Edie packed and ready to leave Big Edie and the house. Big Edie cries out for her and Little Edie silently makes the decision to return to the house and her mother.