Grey Gardens- Page 2

[gossipguy215]

Posted: 5/18/13 at 12:57am

I love both recordings. That said, I like the cut songs from the first act a lot more than the ones they were replaced with (with the exception of "The Girl Who Has Everything"). On the Broadway Recording, the only songs I ever listen to from Act I are "The Girl Who Has Everything", "Peas in a Pod", and "Will You?". Act II is THE most brilliant show from this century, one that I will actually equate to "Follies" and "Company". "Around the World" and "Another Winter in a Summer Town" are the most beautiful songs, written as if from the The Golden Age. "Jerry Likes My Corn" always moves me, but I can only listen to it if I'm ready to be morose for the next couple of hours. Although "Toyland" was beautiful, and "Peas in a Pod (Reprise)" made a great ending, I think "The Girl Who Has Everything" was better to begin and end the show with, especially since they "bookend" the show. And every time I reach the end, my heart is moved by Big Edie's final line "YOU choose." Then, as the orchestra takes over for the record and the final notes play, I can FEEL Little Edie's gratitude and Big Edie's relief to know she isn't left alone (it takes on a whole new meaning when you think about how Big Edie died, leaving Little Edie all alone).

Updated On: 5/18/13 at 12:57 AM

[John Adams]

Posted: 5/18/13 at 2:09am

>> "Sorry to be dense, John. Was your point, then, that Terkel had already given the narratives shape when he published them? Or was it that Terkel's subjects were anonymous while many people knew the Eadies from the docs?"

The latter. The Edies from the docs were so specific as characters that it would be almost a crime to re-interpret them with different "faces". (Although I do very much appreciate the creative conjectures made in ACT I.)

The Edies were not participants in their story - their "story" fell victim to their very specific personalities, including how they spoke, and every little idiosyncrasy of how they conducted their lives. To change even one iota of how they spoke and behaved as recorded in the documentary would mean that their "story" would have to change.

With Terkel's narratives, there is much more room to create variations on "living" beings that still adhere to the narratives.

Terkel recorded situations that appealed to a "commonality" regarding careers. For example, the Fireman could play his monologues as a gruff Chicagoan but still be as believable if played as a more tender-hearted Philadelphian. The same is true for the Waitress, the Father, "Lovin' Al", etc. The stories of their occupations are "universal" but (just like in real life) their telling can be interpreted by all types of different characters that inhabit those occupations.

Even though his narratives were specific, Terkel's Working captured universal themes that were not completely dependent on specific character types. In contrast, the documentary of "Grey Gardens captured specific personalities that completely governed their narratives.
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In my opinion... Updated On: 5/18/13 at 02:09 AM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 5/18/13 at 6:55am

I see (finally) that the point isn't whether the viewer already knows the Beales (I didn't), but that their fame dictated the construction of the show.

FWIW, I did see the OBC of WORKING and it was quite a mess.

[John Adams]

Posted: 5/18/13 at 9:50am

>> "FWIW, I did see the OBC of WORKING and it was quite a mess."

I'd heard that, too!
The nice thing is that shows can be re-worked and have successful regional productions. That was my first (and seemingly more satisfying) experience.

Even though I enjoyed the show, I still wouldn't rank it in a "Top 10" of best musicals...

[PattyO'Furniture]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 11:55am

Why was Sara Gettelfinger replaced? I thought she was MUCH better than Erin Davie - her accent, her mannerisms, her delivery - everything. Was it a scheduling conflict, or was it that she played it too angry or something?

I also agree that the changes from off-bway to bway were mistakes. I liked the beginning of off-bway for giving us just a minor glimpse of Big Edie. The off-bway ending was also much more satisfying to me.

Posted: 7/2/13 at 1:31pm

1) I've never seen the documentary and loved the musical so obviously, the show does not rise or fall on the strength of "impersonating" those real people.

2) The first act is sort of wonderful- but afterward you do sort of see it as a prelude to the "real" drama of act II. But just as some misguided folks do act one as a "Happy" Into the Woods, the first act of Grey Gardens could stand alone as a quirky short musical. In any case, I think you need it to give pathos to that ending.

Wonderful wonderful!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 1:48pm

This was the first show I saw on Broadway ever, so it has a very very very special place in my heart. It was one of the most stunning things I've seen since though, and I don't know that I've seen a brand new musical on Broadway that has stunned me in the same way after that. Yes, Ebersole was as brilliant as everyone says, in both roles, not just as Little Edie. Mary-Louise Wilson was hilarious and heartbreaking.
I will say Erin Davie gave the most underrated performance in that cast. I'll never forget her girlish manner, her insane desperation during "Daddy's Girl" and just how believable she was as a young version of Ebersole's portrayal of Little Edie. A beautiful, studied performance. I never understood why she hasn't become more of a name, but she hasn't been as terrific since, her performance in NIGHT MUSIC never came together, but God was she great in GREY GARDENS.

[tazber]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 2:00pm

Ebersole's "Another Winter" remains one of the most transporting moments I have ever experienced while watching live theater.

[Margo Flax]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 2:46pm

I met Little Edie twice, what a delightful mess!
We had a mutual friend, he used to call her his "Princess Shut-in"!
That being said, I loved the musical and thought Ebersole nailed that part.
Margo!

[sanda]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 3:25pm

I fell asleep during the show. The only one that I slept as far as I can remember. Don't get the show and the appeal of the character. It was like,"So?"

[ErinDillyFan]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 3:49pm

My wife and I both agree Christine Ebersole gave the best performance we have seen on broadway.

I prefer the Off-broadway recording.

I have seen 4 community theatre/college productions. I was surprised that every one of them carried through with original casting with Big Edie in Act I be Little Edie in Act II. I would have thought that in those situations they would use two different actresses.

[PatrickDennis92]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 5:11pm

I thought this topic said Grey Goose. No, seriously I did. Wow. One of two things is wrong with me. ...maybe both.

Posted: 7/2/13 at 5:23pm

At the pride parade they gave out buttons that said I AM EDIE WINDSOR! (look her up!)

I of course thought Edie Beale and anytime anyone asked about the button I said 'OH,HI!" a la Edie Beale.

Updated On: 7/2/13 at 05:23 PM

[PattyO'Furniture]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 5:37pm

sanda, wish you would've enjoyed it more.

I think this story is so fascinating, as Christine Ebersole said, because of the unanswerable question: how did they get this way...or MOST importantly...why are they unable to get out of the situation? It really does fascinate me. I mean, Jackie took care of the $32,000 clean-up, and then, what...4 years later AT MOST...it's virtually uninhabitable AGAIN. How? How can Little Edie take care to choreograph and practice and make costumes and head wraps but not know that it's a bad idea to dump cat food and loaves of bread on the floor for raccoons? How can this have been true? I don't know, but it was.

The questions are endless, and, as Ebersole noted, unanswerable. I catch myself trying to come up with reasons as to why they couldn't get unstuck, and I just can't do it. It seems a paradox to me, really - a situation that seems absurd but is actually true.

I still don't see why Gettelfinger was replaced. I know - she didn't look like Christine, or she was too tall or something, and I know it's all mere speculation, but I would love to know how that decision was made. I thought Sara was wonderful and contributed so much to making that show so strong.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 5:54pm

Well, I think the general understanding at the time had more to do with how little Gettelfinger's performance resembled Ebersole's Act II performance. Though others with inside information can probably tell you better. Judging from the cast recording, I definitely agree, and while I didn't see Gettelginer, Davie's take on Little Edie was so neatly built around Ebersole's Little Edie. I said it at the time and I insist that Davie's performance plays a huge role in the emotional wallop Act II packs, she sets everything up for the great second act. Speaking of which, GREY GARDENS is one of those rare shows that's actually better in the second act.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 6:26pm

Sometimes it's best to trust your first instincts. I think Gettelfinger was the best choice for the role. She didn't match Ebersole to a T, but who cared? She totally understood Little Edie and played her beautifully and memorably.

I liked Erin Davie when I saw her, but there was a focus and fierce determination that was so right about Gettelfinger. She got the essence of Little Edie.

And that's worth more than any lookalike you can find.

I'm guessing the "creatives' were worried that their "stupid audience" couldn't figure out that Gettelfinger (of Act 1) was Ebersole (in Act II).

They should have trusted more. Hell, the housewives could follow along when Joan Crawford replaced her own daughter in the same role on a soap opera. Give them a little credit for using their imaginations.

(Another reason why I love Our Town so much. It never, ever insults the intelligence of its audience.)

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 6:27pm

Let me just add that everyone was great on Broadway, and I don't mean to cheapen Miss Davie's performance.

It was one of the most memorable nights of theatre I've had in the last decade.

[everythingISpossible]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 10:56pm

I asked someone who worked on both the off broadway and broadway version why Sara Gettelfinger was replaced. He told me that the producers who became involved with the move to broadway said they would only move the production if she was replaced. Apparently they were the only people seriously interested in moving the show and the only way for Grey Gardens to get to broadway was with them. Nobody else was going to put up the money.

Incase anyone is interested, it looks like Sara Gettelfinger is doing Grey Gardens again at StageWorks in Fresno, CA this time in Christine Ebersole's track.
StageWorks

[sally1112]

Posted: 7/3/13 at 9:21am

I basically planned a trip to NYC (from KY) just to see this show,and I was not disappointed. I still consider it one of the most amazing nights of theater that I have ever experienced.

I have seen two regional productions of the show (in Cincy and Memphis) and both were very well done and enjoyable but couldn't hold a candle to the original cast.

Sidenote- For a few months I was obsessed with The Five-Fifteen and had to hear it every morning while I was getting showered and dressed.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/3/13 at 9:45am

Incase anyone is interested, it looks like Sara Gettelfinger is doing Grey Gardens again at StageWorks in Fresno, CA this time in Christine Ebersole's track.

I would LOVE to see Sarah play Christine's part! What a trip that would be. I'll bet she's great.

[PattyO'Furniture]

Posted: 7/3/13 at 10:04am

Thank you, everything. How unfortunate for that time but very glad Sara is being afforded the opportunity for this new track! Thanks for the info.!