Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
#1Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 5:38pmOriginally I really wanted to see Grey Gardens and was about to get tickets. But last night my mom saw it and wasn't raving. She agreed that Ebersole was amazing, but also said that the she didn't like the music, other than the 2 songs we already knew. SHe loved the performances, just wasn't crazy about the show. She said that I dind't really need to see it, what do you guys think?
#1re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 5:42pm
I agree with her, but SEE THE SHOW! Balcony tickets are only $36.25 and you can see, you just have to lean forward a bit.
Act I needs work and Act II is perfection but both need each other.
I actually appreciate the show more now, which is a month after I've seen it). I listen to the CD constantly, but skip half the songs on it.
--Aristotle
#2re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 5:43pm
SEE IT!
Ebersole and Wilson are absolutley worth it. Yes, the first half drags - but the second half makes up for it.
Updated On: 12/1/06 at 05:43 PM
#3re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 5:48pm
Parker???
No question, see it! It is amazing. The best show to grace broadway in years!
#4re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 5:48pm
Who the heck is Parker?
Yes you should see it. Do you do everything your mom says? Jeez
#5re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 5:54pmI know I'm in the minority for what I'm about to say, but I didn't like it at all. But I know a lot of people who did.
queendork
Understudy Joined: 6/28/06
#6re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 5:57pmI would assume Katecab99 got her Mary[-]Lousies mixed up.
#7re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 6:01pmwill this most likely still be around in early April?
#8re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 6:09pmit will DEF be open in April and then some.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#9re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 6:12pmYes but see the show before watching the documentary if you intended to see the latter.
#10re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 6:13pmI agree that even though Act I is problematic, it is still a must see. I came in town 3 weeks ago to see it and and plan on coming back before it closes.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#11re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 6:14pmhave you or you mother seen the film?
#12re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 6:24pm
I say the opposite of Roxy - see the doc first!
I had some issues with it, but it's definitely one of the best things out there, and the music is wonderful as are the performances - the two little girls alone are worth the price of admission.
Speaking of which, we had $36 seats in the first row of the balcony, lots of empty seats around us as well as in the mezz and orchestra, so an usher allowed us to move down during intermission. If you're unsure, get the $36 seats.
miss pennywise
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/7/04
#13re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 6:36pm
"She said that I didn't really need to see it."
1. Does anyone "need" to see anything?
2. Do you always listen to your mother?
3. If you aren't going to listen to your mother, why would you listen to a bunch of strangers?
4. That being said, if I were your mother, I would INSIST that you see it.
P.S. Some of the music reminds of me of Sondheim. Wonder if you'll think so.
http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html
**********
"If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!"
~ Best12Bars
Hank
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#14re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 6:40pm
I agree with your mom. I got caught up in the hype, even though going in I knew it wasn't my kind of show, and I saw it from the balcony.
Others will disagree, including Ben Brantley "a reason for the survival of musical theatre". Well if this was one of the first shows I ever saw, it would turn me off for good.
Junior
Stand-by Joined: 4/12/06
#15re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 6:52pmummm.... YEAH YOU SHOULD SEE IT! true, act I is a little shaky, but act II more than makes up for it. It's by far one of the best shows I've ever seen.
#16re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 6:54pm
and just the other day, an audience member was saying that this was their first show on Broadway, and that they loved it.
it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea. but most people and critics have loved it. see it for ebersole and wilson at the least.
and I do recommend seeing the doc first. I think you will love the show more, esp act 2, and it will clue you about what the piece is about.
#17re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 6:54pm
to answer your questions miss pennywise
1.touche
2. no but she is the first person I have really talked to about it who has seen it
3. because you guys know more about theater and there are more of you
#18re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 7:45pmHank- Mr Benjamin wasn't referring to the show, he was referring to Miss Ebersole's performance
gumbo2
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/21/05
#19re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 7:53pmI say definitely go see it. Am I the only one who loved the first act almost as much as the second? I guess it's just me. I went into not thinking I would like it, too, and ended up loving it.
#20re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 8:04pmI liked the first act just as much as the second.
#21re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 8:07pmbased soley on the cd (i'll be seeing the show in a couple of weeks) I like the first the act just as much as the second
Corine2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/03
#22re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 8:09pm
Hi,
Grey Gardens is not for everyone. It is not a happy musical.
It is a true story(Well some of it is true and some is made up)
But, it was one of the most heart wrenching and interesting musicals you will see. Christine Ebersole gives the most incredible performance. Her Little Edie in Act 2 is one of the most incredible performances I have ever seen.
It is a must see. It is riveting! You really can't help but feel for the characters in this beautiful and deeply disturbing masterpiece. Bring hankies.
PS Do not see it with your Mother! I went Off-Broadway and took my Mother and Charles Busch was sitting behind me and all I could do was sob. Really, depressing. The second time I brought my best friend. Still cried. It moved me more than any musical.
It tied with "The Normal Heart" in moving me to tears. Two very sad shows with intense writing and meaning. Missing "Grey Gardens" is a mistake. It is one of the greatest performances I have ever witnessed. EVER. (PS I SEE over 100 shows per year)
Updated On: 11/30/06 at 08:09 PM
Lenexajones
Stand-by Joined: 1/24/06
#23re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 9:25pmHave only heard the cast recording (over and over) and can't wait to see it. Love the first act almost as much as the second. I just watched the doc last week and was amazed at how much they took from it and how well they did it. Sent the cast recording to a friend who loves theater and his response was "how the hell do they get away with putting crap like that on Broadway!" So, I guess some love it and some hate it.
Julian2
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/06
#24re: Grey Gardens- Should I see it?
Posted: 11/30/06 at 9:33pmYes, yes, and yes. Even if your not all hyped up about, force yourself to go knowing that you will be seeing a preformance that is on its way to going down in the history books alongside Ethel Merman in Gypsy, Jeniffer Holliday in Dreamgirls, and Gwen Verdon in Sweet Charity. You will probably be pleasently suprised by the other element of the show your mother didn't rave about.
Videos