Sally Field as Big/Little Edie

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 1:35pm

Now, I don't know if she can sing. This was just a brief thought that popped into my head.

But, would anyone else like to see Sally Field attempt Ebersole's track in GREY GARDENS?

No one will ever come close to the amazingness that is Ebersole, but she also can't stay with the project forever, either. Something tells me that Field would act the part wonderfully, but I have never heard of her singing so I wouldn't know if she could handle the songs.

Did anyone see her in THE GOAT? Did she have a good stage presence?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 1:36pm

cannot stand her.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 1:37pm

She doesn't sing and she's too short. But I do think she's a lovely stage actress.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 1:38pm

Perhaps if they ever did a movie adaptation.

Hasn't there been one rumored with Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange for some time now?

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 1:39pm

On stage, she's amazing. I'd love to see her in another play. But, as MB said, she can't sing.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 1:43pm

She would be ideal for a film adaptation, but as you pointed out FOAnatic, one is already in the works with Barrymore and Lange.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 1:44pm

According to IMDb, the Drew Barrymore Jessica Lange film is in production.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 3:07pm

Anyone interested in hearing her sing can Google "Who Needs Wings to FLY?" It is her singing the theme from The Flying Nun.
All I can say is...GAWD!

[OOTI2004]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 3:14pm

At times I love her acting and then at others I can't stand it. For instance when Brothers and Sisters started I thought she was great, but now its getting on my nerves. The other thing is I've never seen her on stage and wonder if she can handle the different medium well.

But I would like to see her take a shot at it.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 3:26pm

I see her more as Little Edie than Big Eddie. Not too fond of the idea though.
I do want to take advantage of this thread to suggest someone else as Little Edie: Toni Collette. Is she too young for the stage role? I think she'd give a brilliant performance in both roles, she has a fantastic singing voice, stage experience, and is one of the best "mainstream" actresses working at the time.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 9:29pm

In regards to "name" actresses--- can anyone else see Edie Falco in the role? (Particularly for Little Edie.)

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 9:31pm

No way.

Falco is too harsh. The only similarity between the two women is a harsh accent, though they are 2 different accents.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 9:34pm

I'm kinda scared to see the movie...Drew Barrymore as Little Edie...really? I like her and think she's a better actress than most people give her credit for but...I don't know....

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 9:40pm

Barrymore is a horrid choice for Little Edie. Barrymore has never been able to convey anything other than cutie pie girl, though she came close to something in RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS.

The only reason Barrymore is a star (let alone an actress) is because of her last name.

[jpbran]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 9:52pm

Just to forestall any confusion, the Lange/Barrymore movie is an adaptation of the original documentary with an original script, not an adaptation of the stage musical.

That's how I understand it at least...

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/8/07 at 10:24pm

Directly from the March 23rd issue of Entertainment Weekly:

"This summer, she [BARRYMORE] joins two-time Oscar winner Jessica Lange to shoot the feature-film adaptation of the cult documentary (and hit Broadway show) Grey Gardens. She'll play 'Little' Edie Bouvier Beale, the eccentric debutante and cousin to Jackie Onassis who lived in a gothic squalor with her mother, Edie, on a crumbling Long Island estate for decades. 'It's a great forum for her talents,' promises Gardens producer Rachael Horovitz. 'Drew's making a fantastic statement about what she can be as an artist.' And this particular role could be just what Barrymore's resume needs. Little Edie, as Gardens devotees know, was a flibbertigibbet whose bubbly facade hid a great deal of pain. How perfect, then, that the little girl from E.T. might finally reach the next stage of her career by playing to type in the most wonderfully exaggerated way."

So, yes, you're right. This is not a musical version...

But with or without music, the part is demanding in so many aspects and I don't know if Barrymore is the right person to give the part to. I wonder what Mary Louise Parker would do with the part...she may be too young but Barrymore (IMO) is too young for the part as well...
Updated On: 4/8/07 at 10:24 PM

[Smartful Dodger]

Posted: 4/9/07 at 8:04am

Over dinner the other night, a friend of mine suggested Glenn Close as a possible replacement for Christine Ebersole. I thought it was a very interesting idea, one I'd not heard or considered before. Anyone else out there have this one on the brain?

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 4/9/07 at 8:11am

GLENN CLOSE!!!!!!! NO WAY!!! She can't sing well enough.
Try having her do "Will You?". It's a VERY difficult piece. (operatic)
It's going to be really hard to replace Christine Ebersole (her contract isn't up until Oct.). You need someone who has the capability to sing opera AND do high comedy, as well as drama. (plus has immense energy AND stage presence.)
Good luck!
(Glenn is too old, too. She looks it at least. Remember, Edith in Act I is 45. Glenn can't play a 45-year old convincingly.)
I do think a suitable replacement could be found. But, they need to have those aforementioned qualities.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/9/07 at 9:16am

Sally Field-NO WAY! Every Little Edie tanturm would be her trademark "Sybil" gestures with the trembling face and pressured speech. I love Sally Field but she plays everything the same way. I think the next Little Edie will be a total unknown who can sing and act the part. That is if they don't close it when Ebersole leaves. Give the part to Maureen Moore. I would came back to see her.

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 4/9/07 at 9:22am

You need a big name to fill those shoes. (And those seats.)
Moore is not that name.
(I tend to think the show's life after Christine leaves is limited, sadly, unless they get someone with the star power plus the same talent as Christine.)

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/9/07 at 9:50am

Is Ebersole a big name? I think in theatre circles she is, butI believe it is the raves, not her name getting people into the theatre. I think another stellar actress name or not, could fill the seats and get people to come back who are devoted to the show and had seen it previously with Ebersole. Just to be clear, my comment is not a diss of Christine, but I was just noting that she is not a household name.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/9/07 at 11:51am

Guys, lets take a look at the ticket sales. This show isn't going to outlive Ebersole's stay in it.

[froggy66]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 1:12pm

Sally Field would be wonderful in the role. She has a broad range of ability. She does not play every role the same way. Have you seen Steel Magnolias ? Have you seen Norma Rae? How about Places in the Heart? I don't see any squinty Sybil expressions in these performances at all. Perception is surely a tricky thing.

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 4:04pm

She doesn't sing, to the best of my knowledge, certainly not well enough to convince people that she could play someone who was talented in Edith Beale.
(certainly not operatically, as far as I know.)

[LostLeander]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 4:27pm

I would hardly call Edith Bouvier's songs operatic.
Soprano, yes, but they stay in a mezzo range.

The acting is far more difficult than the singing in this show, and that's why Ebersole is getting raves. Though she does sound utterly fantastic, but the music was writ especially for her..

They'll be hard shoes to fill, but I doubt someone will have to fill them, as I would say she the raison d'etre for the show's success. (Although Mary Louise Wilson is perfection also).