I really hope that this does not come to Broadway. I love the musical too much. Or, if it does, that it gets a new director. This is community theater. So much of the original owed to the quality of the production. There is no mystery or magic here.
imo, I still don't see how some people see Grey Gardens as a convoluted and disjointed show. I've seen it 3 times and I completely understand the musical adaptation; of course if you knew of the background or the documentary, that may help but I don't think you need that.
The first and second acts work for me. The casting of Little and Big Edie as the same person but older becomes a dramatic transformation, the back story of Edie's father and Edie's husband...I think the songs ranging from so comedic and warm to being heart breaking at times is very much "theatrical" is the word I want. The music and songs are cohesive too. Don't forget both actresses won Tonys for their roles and they were/are both performances that defy and define acting and singing.
Please just bring this production back east to Arena or Kennedy in DC or NY; Please!
Agreed, I think it works beautifully. I've never fully understood complaints about the structure. It's the kind of enormous gesture that is really unique to theater.
Why not put it into the Pels for Roundabout? Seems about the right size. Although, this doesn't really seem like a re-imagination of the show, so maybe it doesn't warrant an NYC production.
Pels Theatre would be a perfect location. Recently saw Grey Gardens in London at Southwark and was surprised how I got into this because of the closeness to the staging. It's a fun show.