How is Grey Gardens?

I *****LOVE***** IT!!!!!!!!

Yes it is Broadway related. That's why it's on the Broadway message board.

jv, it originally was on the off-topic board.

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I apologize. But you have to admit it is a little silly to question it. It's a beautiful day. Enjoy the sun.

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Just got my recording yesterday. Love it. Gorgeous score. And beautifully produced CD jacket, production notes, etc. I especially appreciate the interview with composer Scott Frankel, lyricist Michael Korie and librettist Doug Wright. It gave me a lot of insight into the show and what the creators were going for. Now I'm SUPER excited to see this show. I had seen the documentary of Grey Gardens a while back and I’d already bought tickets for the Broadway preview in October, but still wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into.

Actually a couple of the songs had me in tears (“Another Winter in a Summer Town” and believe or not one titled "Jerry Likes My Corn"). I'm not sure what people are talking about who say Act I doesn’t hold up dramatically. Granted I haven't seen the actual production yet, but the recording itself totally works in terms of the dramatic arch - the first act and second act are mirror images. The first is a glossy version of the past as Big and Little Edie remember it - or rather CHOOSE to remember it. Then the second act removes the veneer from this gilded memory and shows the two women for who they really are and who they've become.

Someone mentioned in a thread awhile back that they thought Grey Gardens should dump the 1941 first act entirely and reveal its contents through flashbacks within the 1973 section instead (ala Follies), but the writers of Grey Gardens said they considered that concept early on discarded it: "I think we talked about having flashbacks--but that bored the bejesus out of us."

Anyway, I'm now totally psyched for this show. A new Broadway musical with true depth and something of substance to say; done with style, heart, a mature artistic polish and a gorgeous sweeping score? Wow...I didn't know they made those anymore :)

Updated On: 8/12/06 at 05:01 PM

Thanks, I had no idea it was out.
Just an fyi, it was my favorite musical last year.
It tore me into shreads. Ebersole moved me.
It opens November 2nd.
Watch me interview Christine and others at Broadway Under The Stars.
https://www.corinescorner.com
Doug Wright's play moved me to tears. Not a show to see with your Mother folks.

I just got tickets for October 7th.

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I was just watching a story on the news about the Middle East troubles coming to a head on the 22nd and WWIII starting, and All I could think about was how I wanted a few hours with this cd before the world ends! Guess I should have pre-ordered.

It will be the big Tony winner next year. That and Chorus Line. Les Mis probably won't get much since it seems recycled.

If nothing has been changed in the construction of the musical since the Off-Broadway version, the only Tony win that you can count on for this show is Christine Ebersole for Best Leading Actress. Don't get me wrong, I adored this show, but I do recognize its flaws, as did most critics. Ms. Ebersole's performance was the only sure thing singled out as exorbitantly positive in the critical reception Off-Broadway (think Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz). But who knows, maybe they have evened things out a bit Book-wise for Broadway. I'd love for it to win Best Score, and for Mary Louise Wilson to win Best Featured Actress in a Musical (though one of the Chorus Line women could snag this).

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Updated On: 8/13/06 at 11:25 AM

Here's whay I heard in the rumor mill: "Better Fall Out Of Love" and "Tomorrows Woman" have been cut.

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Ebersole gave the performance of a lifetime (In both characters)
I was fighting back the tears.
Most heartwrenching show I have ever seen (Second to The Normal Heart)

are there any track clips anywhere?