Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#0Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 12:30am
Saw Grey Gardens this afternoon. Absolutely phenominal in ways that I can't even put into words. There need not be a Tony ceremony this year, just give it to Mary Louise Wilson, John McMartin, and Christine Ebersole. All are giving career-defining performance, the stuff you read about. These will be remembered for years and years to come. In all honesty, I enjoyed Act I better than Act II. Act I had a plot, Act II was just there. The entire cast is spectacular, I cannot say that enough. Ebersole greatly deserved her lone bow.
Had a nice conversation with Michael Grief before the show and Larry Yurman, the musical director, afterwards. He and I go back a few years through a very odd connection.
Losing Louie tonight (through comps) was a great show for $0.00. I wouldn't have been disappointed had I paid more, but it's just not worth that much more. It has it's moments, but it's sitcom funny, same as Naked Girl on the Appian Way. The plot is too convaluded to go into, but, in a sentence, it's about a dead guy, his family, and revelations that come out. Most of the acting seems very contrived, like they were given the script, told to memorize it, and were sent out without a net. Jerry Zaks, what happened? It's just sloppy direction. Michelle Pawk is great, as usual, as is Mark Baker. The stand out, however, comes by the name of Jama Williamson, in her Broadway debut. She's the most natural of the bunch, as well as the most comfortable. I see big things in her future.
The cast was very nice at the stage door, explaining some of the more confusing elements to many of the puzzled audience members.
Updated On: 10/15/06 at 12:30 AM
#1re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 12:48amWell, the irony is that Act 2 of GG is based so beautifully on the documentary. I am guessing you didn't see the doc?
#2re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 12:50amLOVED Act 2, Hated Act 1. I have seen the documentary obivously. I think Act 1 needs lots of reworking...
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#3re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 12:55am
Nope, didn't see the movie, and don't think I actually want to. In an odd way, it would ruin the experience, if anyone knows what I mean.
I didn't HATE Act 2, I just thought Act 1 flowed better. There didn't seem to be that many problems, but I didn't see it at Playwright's. I do know this: there are a couple of songs that could be easily excessed. Having heard the CD, I like Body Beautiful Beale better than the replacement, Moving Up.
I'm assuming they didn't restructure Act I because of the BBB cut....that nickname seemed to play an integral part of the act.
#4re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 12:56amLoved this show! Hand the Tony to Ebersole right now. I preferred Act II mainly because I loved the documentary, but I didn't dislike Act I. The only criticism I have is that I thought Erin Davie was kind of weak.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
#5re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 12:59amI agree with you about Davie, Jane2. Regarding the Tony, I LOVED Ebersole, but I still think we need to wait and see the other performances (and see how long Grey Gardens lasts). It hasn't been on tdf yet, which is a good sign. Maybe ticket sales are doing well.
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#6re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 1:01am
The place was pretty well sold this afternoon....the balcony had the front row full, at least.
I did find myself a nice, cozy mezzanine seat for Act II, however.
Any other questions, PM me....I'm off to bed.
#7re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 1:01amI hope it does well, but I think that even if the show has a short run, Ebersole will get the Tony. I'd bet on it~
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
#8re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 1:07am
Also saw Losing Louie tonight, and pretty much agree with what you said. A lot of the actors in the first act seemed really off, but also agree about Baker, Pawk and Williamson. The second act seemed much better paced that the somewhat dreary first. Having skipped most of the reviews beforehand, I had the same reaction -- very sitcom-y.
Although it was very nice meeting a certain prominent BWW-er seated next to me. 
Updated On: 10/15/06 at 01:07 AM
#9re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 1:13am
...who!?!
oh the SUSPENSE
"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed
#10re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 3:01am
I am telling you--GG will not close before the Tonys. That is not going to happen.
And, I would easily bet money that Ebersole will win--I think she would beat most of the winners of the past few years if not all of them. The level of brilliance both in the performance and in the writing are that high.
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#11re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 3:48amDid you stage door GG?
#12re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 4:07am
Have never seen the movie GG and perhaps as because of that I found the entire show well done (an understatement!).
From Christine Ebersoles entrance I knew I was witnessing a performance unlike any I have ever seen before. She was nothing short of brilliant. Just give her the Tony and every other award for the season NOW.
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#13re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 8:42am
CQTBOO - It wasn't me, I'll tell 'ya that (not that I know either.)
Stagedooring GG - They all came out except Mary Louise (who sleeps in between). Michael Potts was the only one who didn't stop to sign.
bwayondabrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/05
#14re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 9:04amwow, i am so excited to see this show in December! i am glad to hear all the positive notes about the cast and the show. :) any cool merchandise?
#15re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 9:07amI was at the matinee yesterday too, yankeefan! Standing with a bunch of people at the end of the stagedoor line. I saw mary louise get into a car after the show without signing, though.
...What happened next, was stranger still, a woman breathless and afraid, appeared out of the night, completely dressed in white. She had a secret she would tell, of one who had mistreated her. Her face and frightened gaze, my mind cannot erase...But then she ran from view. She looked so much like you...
#16re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 11:19am
any cool merchandise?
I thought the merchandise was pretty cool, but I didn't buy a t shirt because they're 50/50.
They created a limited edition of 50 GG tea pots also.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#17re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 11:28am
AllforLaura - I was on the roped side of the stage door. I noticed the doorman told a bunch of people to move over from the side that wasn't.
Merchandise - Posters for $10 (a lot of them were creased and dented, I noticed), teapots, CDs for $20, and about 10 different variations on t-shirts: the simple "Grey Gardens" in the colors of the rainbow and another that read "Little Edie Lives!."
A note about Losing Louie: the show itself was extremely predictable - I had the major theme predicted by the middle of Act I. The contrived ending, more like a "we have to wrap this up so here's what we're gonna do," was simply, too simple. A twist would have been nice.
If anyone wants to know the major plot points, PM me.
#18re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 1:57pmEveryone in GG will sign--you just have to ask them. Most actors just assume that people only want the star's autograph--incl. the great Ms. Wilson and Mr. McMartin.
#19re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 2:06pm
I got a black Grey Gardens t-shirt, but they have about 8 different colors with the same design on them.
Yeah, the doorman told us to move cause he didn't want us behind the door for some reason.
...What happened next, was stranger still, a woman breathless and afraid, appeared out of the night, completely dressed in white. She had a secret she would tell, of one who had mistreated her. Her face and frightened gaze, my mind cannot erase...But then she ran from view. She looked so much like you...
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#20re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 2:18pmI found Mr. McMartin to be quite nice (compared to what I've heard about him). I guess he's just shy.
#21re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 2:40pmHe didn't want you behind the door because you'll get knocked down if someone opens it suddenly and because there needs to be a path for the rest of the cast, crew, and orchestra to get by.
myManCape
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/26/05
#22re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 5:42pmMichael Potts is very nice and I have found him to be very willing to sign and take pictures/talk. However after last nights show there were 2 guys saying that he hasnt signed since GG started, one of them had a poster signed by the entire cast except Potts. He struck me as some one how had been there multiple times. Maybe they have had bad luck with him.
"Have they come yet?"
bwayondabrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/05
#23re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 5:51pm
is Christine Ebersole nice?
sorry, stupid question- i know they're not expected to be nice or sign autographs but...just wondering
:)
she seems nice- back when she was doing the show at PH, i wrote to her, and she sent me back a headshot
too bad my parents threw it away 
(long story, but they were mad at me)
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#24re: Grey Gardens Matinee/Losing Louie Evening - 10/14
Posted: 10/15/06 at 6:30pmChristine's very nice - a woman of few words, but extremely gracious....signed autographs and took photos with everyone who asked.
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