Grey Gardens Closed Today 5 Years Ago

[jv92]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 1:25am

I don't know why I feel compelled to start a thread about this wonderful show, and its equally wonderful closing performance, but since we're getting threads to links of video of Las Vegas, I thought this would be apropos and on topic more than that.

This show will always hold a dear place in my heart, and I was so glad I was there to see that wonderful production in its last performance.

Anyone want to add?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 1:27am

It's been FIVE years?? Man, where does the time go...?

I second acted this show many many many many times. if ever a show was made to second act it was this one.

[beltingbaritone]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 1:29am

When asked what performance I would go back in time to see, Grey Gardens always comes to mind. I didn't live in New York at the time, and failed to get tickets on multiple occasions. I kick myself in the head every time I put on the cast recording. It's one of my favorites.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 1:32am

I re-read the libretto the other night, after about two years of neglect, and still heard Christine and Mary Louise delivering those lines before Edie leaves the house. A brilliant show, but that book is fabulous. HOW did Doug Wright lose a Tony to...ugh...Steven "I'm allergic to rhyming dictionaries" Sater?

Oh, sorry. Spoiler alert. But I figure most of you have either seen GG or don't care, because you were too busy masturbating to SPRING AWAKENING and calling it the greatest musical since GYPSY.

Beltingbartione, it's probably no consolation to missing it live, but there are some very good clips of the show, and not from the press reel, available all over the interweb.

Updated On: 7/29/12 at 01:32 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 1:35am

I wasn't masturbating TO Spring Awakening. I was masturbating WITH it.

[beltingbaritone]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 1:37am

Who hasn't masturbated at least once to Jonathan Groff's naked bum or Lea Michele's...well, Jonathan Groff's naked bum.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 1:38am

Twenty years from now, I hope Lea Michele auditions for my vanity Encores! production of GREY GARDENS when I'm artistic director (I have BIG plans) so I can call her an untalented bitch after she's done and give the role to somebody talented and not from SPRING AWAKEING's original company.

God, I hated that show.

[beltingbaritone]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 1:51am

To celebrate 5 years without Grey Gardens, let us celebrate with the Edible Edies!

Updated On: 7/29/12 at 01:51 AM

[jv92]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 1:53am

Ha ha! I love those! They're hardboiled eggs, though, and I hate hardboiled eggs so I won't eat them. But they're fun!

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 2:00am

The score haunts me for days whenever I listen, in the best possible way. A revival years from now would be so interesting, I can't imagine anyone else by Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson in these roles.

And beltingbaritone, those are perfect.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 2:02am

Easily one of my top 5 theatrical experiences. I absolutely loved this show and still listen to the recording. I was lucky enough to see Ms. Ebersole twice and Ms. Moore once.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 8:22am

Absolutely loved it. I can't believe it's been five years already since it closed.

[random person 112]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 8:50am

I wouldn't say it's impossible to picture any one else in the role besides Ebersole. You have Donna Murphy, Audra McDonald (in concert form.), Victoria Clark, Carolee Carmello, even Alice Ripley were she to save her voice would be amazing. and in a few years Laura Benanti there are certainly plenty out there who could do a great job with the part.



Updated On: 7/29/12 at 08:50 AM

[Born in a Ditch]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 8:50am

One of the most touching, intricate experiences I've ever had in a theatre. Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson were absolutely riveting. I can't believe it's been 5 years, that just blows my mind.

[tazber]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 9:23am

One of my favorite shows in the last 10 years.

The second act is a perfect adaptation of what would seem to be an impossible-to-adapt source.

And what a great season that was!

Grey Gardens
Spring Awakening
Curtains
Legally Blonde
Mary Poppins
Company revival
A Chorus Line revival

And there are some more I'm forgetting.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 10:59am

There are others who might succeed, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to imagine anyone ever making the impression in GG that Ebersole did.

Take it from Stritch!
Elaine on Ebersole's Edie

[wickedfan]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 11:28am

Certainly no one any time soon. But there are so many actresses today who I would love to see tackle the role in 15-20 years:

Laura Benanti
Lauren Ambrose
Sally Murphy
As someone said, in concert form: Audra McDonald
Jessie Mueller
Katie Finneran
Jane Krakowski

Christine Ebersole was perfection. Far and away the best performance in a musical I've ever seen live. And I don't expect it to be rivaled anytime soon. But I would love it if Little Edie in GG became the next Mama Rose, not the next Fanny Brice.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 12:22pm

In the documentary, they talk about July 29 being the day Edie left the Barbizon to come back to Grey Gardens. As Edie would say, "It's awfully hot in New York on July 29."

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 12:24pm

Well strangely enough, it's really beautiful out there today.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 2:06pm

Of course SOMEONE had to bump the "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST closed today thread." It ran thirteen some odd years. It doesn't need a revival. Sorry kids.

I think the part could very well be performed by someone great in future years. Just not Audra McDonald, because then the show would be in three acts, with a backstory pre-1973 between 1941 and 1973.

[little_sally]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 4:33pm

I was just telling a friend the other night about how Christine Ebersole's performance in this show was the best I've ever seen. "Another Winter in a Summer Town" still makes me cry every time I hear it.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 4:53pm

Grey Gardens was one of my favorite theatrical experiences. I sprung for full price so I could get 3rd row center. I was enraptured. Ebersole delivered an iconic, never to be seen again performance. Time stopped. In the history of my theatre going experience, I've never experienced a crowd as quiet and attentive as when Ebersole sang "Another Winter In A Summer Town." You could hear a pin drop. It was so quiet.

Wilson was also a force of nature. I was transported. The whole show was like a dream. It made me sad for our theatre going public that such riches were on display (Two Tony winning performances) and no one was going to the show. It really upset me.

I had tickets for the performance near the end of the run where Frankel was conducting, but I got pneumonia and couldnt go. To say I was devastated was an understatement. I wept.

I've seen a few regional productions and they were fantastic. The work holds up with the gorgeous score and the roles are dreams for actresses. I liked the other women's takes on the Edies too.

Thanks for starting this thread. I love the show and it holds a special place in my heart.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 4:53pm

Taking the time to listen to the music for the first time today... One of those shows that has just slipped by all these years, but this thread made me decide to change that

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 5:27pm

I was lucky enough to find a DVD of a performance recorded early in previews. I liked it but was not as impressed by Christine as I thought I'd be. But there's a video floating around the internet of a performance much later in the run - maybe the night after the Tonys, Ebersole's entrance applause is quite long and includes a standing ovation. Anyway, I was amazed to see how much she'd grown into the role. It's difficult to evaluate performances based on real people. Do you judge it by how closely they can mimic the person, or what new revelations they bring to the character? Ebersole struck the balance perfectly. Of course, Drew Barrymore's performance complete with prosthetics brings us closer to Edie's actual appearance, and I'd say she got the accent a bit more precisely, but Ebersole wins in terms of the pathos and pathetic urgency she brought to Edie Beale.

Edited to add that Around the World is possibly my very favorite non-Sondheim musical theatre song. A Youtube search for "Around the World Grey Gardens" will turn up incalculable riches.

Updated On: 7/29/12 at 05:27 PM

[My Oh My]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 5:30pm

I missed this but the true story it was based on was/is intriguing. Have yet to listen to the score and at 5 years it's long overdue.