Grey Gardens: Could Anything Have Been Done?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:03pm

Could anything have been done to keep Grey Gardens on Broadway longer? Besides the bad producing aspects, the material is very dark and the music quite challenging for an audience. I adore the show; I think it is a million times better and forward thinking that Spring Awakening. I just think a tour could have worked and even the London production plans seem to have faded. I hope this show has a health regional life as more people need to see it. Especially in these times where being unique isn't praised.

[sondhead]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:07pm

I respectfully disagree. I think Ebersole's performance was wonderful and the show was alright. Unfortunately, the former wasn't enough to keep it open very long.

[sally1112]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:07pm

I don't know what could have saved it? It was almost perfection. Perhaps it should have stayed off-Broadway where people have different taste and tolerance and appreciation.

I know that I consider myself lucky to have seen this production.

[me2]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:11pm

I thought it was interesting that when Bloom and Vlastnik updated their book of the 100 Best Musicals, they included GREAY GARDENS. I'm happy it's touring so that I get a chance to see it.
Broadway Mouth: Casting Quandaries I: The Most Difficult Role to Cast

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:14pm

It is touring?

[sally1112]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:17pm

I haven't heard about a tour.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:19pm

I didn't think so. Do the producers hold the rights? The show didn't end of very good terms.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:20pm

I think the main problem is it's accessibility. Personally, it is the best show I have ever seen. I think it is absolutely perfect. But today's modern audience wants shows like Wicked and Legally Blonde.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:22pm

I still think it could have ran 6 or so months longer with the Ebersole/Wilson Tony wins. Just seemed to me the producers gave up too early into the run.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:27pm

Well, don't forget that what prompted the closing was that Wilson's contract was expiring and she was not going to renew.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:37pm

I didn't think the show was doing so badly. The producers could have kept it running if they got good replacements (Maureen or Vicki Clark).

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:44pm

I don't think its going to tour, but I know there's a regional production planned here in Chicago in the fall...
http://www.northlight.org/onstage/0809.html

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:47pm

Yes, BETTER MARKETING!
There were ads for it everywhere, but nobody knew what it was, let alone what it was about.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 10:03pm

I must agree that the marketing could have been much better.

me: When was GG added to that book?

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 10:14pm

Perhaps they could have kept it open longer by introducing a new character. Say, a lawyer who falls in love with Edie. In Boston. He could be played by William Shatner. (ahem.)

[miketron]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 11:02pm

There is going to be a production in Cleveland this next year.

http://beckcenter.org/news.htm#season

[puppetman2]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 11:48pm

For a lot of people I talked to the title put them off. It simply made the show seem unapealing to many.

[maybethistime]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 11:50pm

They're mounting it at Stages Repertory in Houston next season as well.

[chrysler99]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 11:54pm

There will be a production at the Studio Theater in Washington, DC in November.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 11:58pm

The Studio's productions are always worth seeing. I will be looking forward to this.

[DidYouReallyHearMe]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 2:08am

The show can be licensed through Dramatist Play Service and since it was released it has slowly but surely been becoming a regional favorite, many productions were staged already and more are to come (as seen on this board).

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 2:12am

The Broadway run definitely ended too soon.

[Bwayfan4]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 4:12am

Personally I think this show was hyped up too much...when I finally saw it...it was let down. I didn't think Ebersole's performance was something to write home about...the show in general was boring, and I came THISCLOSE to falling asleep.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 7:58am

GG suffered from the problem that causes most shows to fail: inexperienced producers.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 9:09am

GG also suffered from a lame book, an uninspired score, tacky direction, and the mostly surrealistically over-praised lead actress performance in Broadway history.