Grey Gardens- Should I see it? — Page 2

Christine Ebersole's performance was special, as were the rest of the cast's, but still, the show itself is "not everyone's cup of tea". Myself included, but then again, I seem to be in the minority here.

i liked the first act much more than the second. it was like a mini-musical in itself, very much of the period and quite cole porterish ... light and fun.

although wonderfully performed, the music and action in the second act didn't hold my attention as well. guess i should have seen the doc first. and the fact that i was exhausted, this being my seventh show in six days, may have had something to do with it!

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I didn't see the documentary beforehand when I saw it at Playwrights. Actually, I knew nothing about the show beforehand. I found Act two captivating. And it was even more so with the fixes for Broadway. Act One does not drag as much as eveyrone says it does. The music in Act One is great, the problem is that a lot of the jokes are inside jokes, so you'll hear chuckles from certain audience members while the rest give quizzical looks.

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Go! I found Act 1 engaging and Act 2 riveting.

See the documentary first, if you can.

Then see the show.

But SEE THE SHOW, regardless.

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I memorized the doc, practically, never having seen it until TCM aired it a few weeks before I had tickets (a poster here alerted me to it...many thanks!)

I found alot of the funny things interpreted differently by those who saw the doc first and those who didnt. I didnt laugh aloud at some of what little Edie did in the second act, but was fascinated at how brilliantly Ebersole interpreted the role (NOT just a copy, she truly IS LE.) Wilson, likewise.

**VERY mild Spoiler Alert**

There is a moment involving the mirror that everyone who knows the film is funny, but if you havent seen the doc it is funnier seeing it for the first time.

One of the best parts for those who've seen the doc, is how the creators piece together the action. It is not in the exact order of the film and moments are woven together. I loved it.

The only problem with the first act, for me, was the fact that it is all supposition based on a few facts. With the second act being complete truth, I feel slightly bamboozled as to LEs motivations...in the first and second acts...it's a, this is how it couldve happened, but this is how it ended up. That was the only problem I had with the first act...and it ends with a heartbreaking song by Ebersole that almost rivals "Another Winter..." in the second act.

Adore the doc and the musical...PLEASE see it...even if you dont like it, you will appreciate it.

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I think the biggest misconception is that Act I somehow answers all the questions you may have about the "human condition" seen in Act II.

It doesn't. There is a 30 year gap, and a LOT of stuff obviously went on during that time. And Grey Gardens allows the audiences' imaginations to run wild with speculation. (How often in theatre do we get that chance anymore?! Answer: Not bloody often enough.)

Act I is a thoroughly entertaining, fascinating set-up for Act II, mostly fictionalized, but as doodle says, based on a few known facts. It shows us an approximation of what the Beales' lives were like back in their heyday... and it sets up and juxtaposes many of the things we see and hear discussed in Act II (spring-boarding from, and honoring, the documentary footage).

But it doesn't answer all the questions for us, as to "why they are they way they are," and "why they made the choices they made," etc.

The best way I can think of to describe Grey Gardens, is that it examines the human condition in general (something we can all relate to), and the specific relationship of these two unusual women (something that few of us can relate to as literally as this), without solving the eternal mystery of either.

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Updated On: 12/1/06 at 11:03 AM

I would give anything if I was close enough to New York to see this show. I am in love with the score, and Christine Ebersole. I worked with her in MAME at the Paper Mill Playhouse. The production was not great, but the experience with her was. She is everything a Broadway star should be. Brilliantly talented, a wonderful singer and colleague, and a joy to behold. I think all of that transcends on the CD. I would kill to see it!!!

Updated On: 12/1/06 at 11:17 AM

I didn't say everything from the past 30 years is there.

I said everything you need to know.

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I want to get the CD, but I just kept thinking through the first act how much I'll miss Erin's voice on it.

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You're right, doodle!

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I didn't see Sara, but was mucho impressed with Erin's grasp of the accent.

She was more consistent with it than Ebersole, at least the night we attended.

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Don't know about the blonde thing.

I do wonder if Erin's accent has improved over time, because I remember reading complaints that it wasn't there as much as Ebersole's during previews. However, I found it astonishingly accurate when I went this past Tuesday.

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