Photo Flash: Jerry Torre Visits Newington Mainstage's GREY GARDENS

Imagine what it would be like to sit in a theatre and see an actor portray not only yourself, but others who are only characters to the audience - but are very real to you. Last Saturday night, Jerry Torre revisited a treasured part of his young life as he watched his past recreated at Newington Mainstage's production of "GREY GARDENS: The Musical".

Newington Mainstage produced the Connecticut premiere of the three-time Tony Award-winning musical October 4-6, with this very special guest in attendance. Torre is one of only two surviving cast members from the original 1975 documentary. Many of the lines spoken in the show's second act by Jerry and the Beale's come directly from real conversations captured in the cult film by Albert and David Maysles.

Torre greeted the cast & creative team after the performance, with overflowing compliments and praise. "It was a remarkable evening - mixed with love, fine people, hardworking, talented and creative souls," he said in the days following the October 5th performance - which, coincidentally, would have been Edith "Big Edie" Beale's 118th birthday.

The musical starred Kelly Boucher - tackling both Edith in Act One and Little Edie in Act Two - and Broadway's Carolyn Kirsch, playing Edith in Act Two. Joining them on stage was Anne Collin (Young Little Edie), Ian Lynch-Passarelli (Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Jr./Jerry), Dan Ringuette (George Gould Strong), Jeff Savage (J.V. "Major" Bouvier/Dr. Norman Vincent Peale), Foster Evans Reese (Brooks Sr. & Jr.), Lily Bello (Jacqueline Bouvier) and Lauren Lesser (Lee Bouvier).

GREY GARDENS was directed by Ian Galligan, with Rebecca Urruita as Music Director. The show is based on the 1975 documentary by Albert & David Maysles, and features a book by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel and lyrics by Michael Korie.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ian Galligan & Ted Sheppard

Director Ian Galligan and Jerry Torre

Dan Ringuette (George Gould Strong), Jerry Torre and Kelly Boucher (Edith/Little Edie)

Jerry Torre with Ian Lynch-Passarelli (Joseph Kennedy, Jr./Jerry) and Anne Collin (Young Little Edie)

Jerry Torre greets his on-stage counterpart, Ian Lynch-Passarelli (Joseph Kennedy, Jr./Jerry)

Jerry Torre and Anne Collin (Young Little Edie)

Jerry Torre signs autographs for fans in the audience

Jerry Torre meets Carolyn Kirsch (Big Edie)

Jerry Torre with Music Director, Rebecca Urrutia

Jerry Torre with and Dan Ringuette (George Gould Strong)

Jerry Torre greets Kelly Boucher (Edith/Little Edie)

Jerry Torre greets Kelly Boucher (Edith/Little Edie)

Jerry Torre meets Carolyn Kirsch (Big Edie)

Jerry Torre with and Dan Ringuette (George Gould Strong)