Grey Gardens Synopsis

[Squire on the Fire?]

Grey Gardens Synopsis#1

Posted: 3/22/07 at 8:23pm

I've searched Google and haven't come up with a plot line for the musical. There have been some one paragraph summaries of the documentary (which I will be checking out as soon as it is returned to my local library) but none for the musical. Any help (user-typed summaries or just pointing me in the direction of one) would be greatly appriciated. And I know there's been a topic on this, but it wasn't much help. Thanks!

"I love acting. It's so much more real than life." -Oscar Wilde
"Get what? Sex? With you? AN OLD PERSON LIKE YOU? Good God." -Edith 'Big Edie' Beale, Grey Gardens

Updated On: 3/22/07 at 08:23 PM

[theaterkid1015]

re: Grey Gardens Synopsis#2

Posted: 3/22/07 at 9:57pm

Well, the first act is 1941. Little Edie is about to marry Joe Kennedy and Edith is throwing her this wedding celebration and is planning to give a little recital. Edie is worried about this, but she eventually kind of comes around to the idea. Edith's father is not and cuts off Edith's trust fund. Also, Edith recieves a telegram from her husband, Phelan, saying the marriage is over. Once some skeletons come out of Edie's closet, thanks to her mother, Joe doesn't go through with the marriage and Little Edie leaves Grey Gardens. Abandoned, even by Gould, Edith cuts herself off and says in Grey Gardens.

The second act, 1972 or 1975, not 100% sure, basically follows the documentary, but adds some more plot structure. All that really changes is that Edie almost leaves and decides not to.

I know I didn't include the songs in there, but does it answer most of your questions?

Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.

[Squire on the Fire?]

re: Grey Gardens Synopsis#2

Posted: 3/22/07 at 10:04pm

That was great! Thanks so much. I'm guessing the 'skeletons' are that she's not a virgin (which is what I gathered from 'Daddy's Girl)?

"I love acting. It's so much more real than life." -Oscar Wilde
"Get what? Sex? With you? AN OLD PERSON LIKE YOU? Good God." -Edith 'Big Edie' Beale, Grey Gardens

[GoSmileLaughCryClap]

re: Grey Gardens Synopsis#3

Posted: 3/22/07 at 10:04pm

Mother meets daughter, mother loses daughter, mother gets daughter back… with consequences. Oldest plot in existence, with a lemon twist.

[Unknown User]

re: Grey Gardens Synopsis#4

Posted: 3/22/07 at 10:05pm

well, these two chicks rob a liquor store on their way to spring break....

[Squire on the Fire?]

re: Grey Gardens Synopsis#5

Posted: 3/22/07 at 10:17pm

n69n, your avatar is pretty much the best thing ever. Where is it from? I know there's a Company picture in the same style; is there one of Sweeney like that?

"I love acting. It's so much more real than life." -Oscar Wilde
"Get what? Sex? With you? AN OLD PERSON LIKE YOU? Good God." -Edith 'Big Edie' Beale, Grey Gardens

[Heybeenfood]

re: Grey Gardens Synopsis#6

Posted: 3/22/07 at 10:20pm

he created those works of art.

[artscallion]

re: Grey Gardens Synopsis#9

Posted: 12/30/07 at 8:20am

I would just make one minor technical correction to the plot synopsis given. The party in act I is not a wedding celebration. It's a party where Phelan is supposed to announce Little Edie's engagement to Joe.

Art has a double face, of expression and illusion.