GREY HOUSE Previews- Page 4

[EAPEAPMO]

Posted: 5/2/23 at 4:00pm

ardiem said: "One man's depth and beauty is another man's plot holes and dramaturgical doldrums. For me, some of the individual moments were captivating and skillfully executed, but didn't leave me so enamored with the piece than I'd want to play mad libs to attempt to piece together everything the play failed to do so on its own. Of course, I don't ask to be spoonfed. I love intelligent ambiguity that really makes you question what's going on in a character's head when many sensible options exist or a cliffhanger whose answer isn't necessary to enjoy the crux of the work. I didn't get that here, but can appreciate that others would."


Well said, I can respect that. I do agree there are some areas that could have been pieced together more clearly w/o sacrificing the artistry or ability for the audience to piece together the depth themselves. 


Wick3 said: "During the play, was there a second meaning to "grey house"? Why do you think the playwright made the title "Grey House"?"

Think need to reply in spoilers, but I think it's also a great part of the lore as I've thought more about it. 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

1) Grey House is a 'grey' area between life and death where the girls are waiting for retribution against the men who harmed and abused them. The story isn't about any of the characters per se, but the world that is being created by the current inhabitants and this instance of one of the men brought in for his comeuppance. The main character and subject is the grey house where we witness one of thousands of instances of abuse and retribution.

2. Grey House is also where women who justify the abuse of men find themselves enlightened to the consequences of such excuses. Only when she opens the door in the final scene to see that the cycle of abuse has continued on another little girl does Max realize where she's been the whole time, both physically and with her own attitude toward her husbands words and actions. She's always existed in a "grey area," of excuses - she's now been enlightened to her role in everything, and feels that responsibility to stay to make things right.

3. The set itself is a dready old cabin and the advertising is grey? Doesn't have to be the crazy stuff I've come up with lol 

 

[EAPEAPMO]

Posted: 5/2/23 at 4:02pm

perfectliar said: "Has anyone won the lottery for this? If so, how were the seats? I know this theatre has some really, REALLY bad sightlines, so just wondering if they're pawning off some of the seats where you can't see 90% of the stage for that or if those are reserved for rush."

Someone on reddit got AA orchestra for the first preview and said the view was obstructed for certain elements of the show, but seemed to enjoy the experience regardless. I sat AA mid orchestra for that same viewing (for considerably more money lol) and also found myself obstructed from 2 key elements of the show. I think mez first row or mid orchestra are probably the best seats in the house and far wings in orchestra are places to avoid. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/2/23 at 4:42pm

I would say if you are sitting on the far right (Or even left) you will miss seeing down the stairs to the basement. From house right mezz 

I could only see the bottom of the stairs that go up from the mezz, house right row C seat 12.

All that said, it didn't take away from the show or make me feel I missed anything.

 

 

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I almost missed one thing that happens rear center stage. People's screams center and house left pulled my attention to it. House left responded to it first. But I have a feeling it was just a flub last night that everyone didn't see it at the same time.

 

[perfectliar]

Posted: 5/2/23 at 5:09pm

uncageg said: "I would say if you are sitting on the far right (Or even left) you will miss seeing down the stairs to the basement. From house right mezz

I could only see the bottom of the stairs that go up from the mezz, house right row C seat 12.

All that said, it didn't take away from the show or make me feel I missed anything.
 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

I almost missed one thing that happens rear center stage. People's screams center and house left pulled my attention to it. House left responded to it first. But I have a feeling it was just a flub last night that everyone didn't see it at the same time.

"

It's so wild to me that so many people sitting in so many different sections have said they've missed moments or set pieces or even, as EAPEAPMO said, key elements. I've only seen a few shows in the Lyceum and always from somewhere in the center (either mezz or orchestra), so I didn't realize how bad the sightlines could be until I looked up reactions on "view from my seat" and in this thread.

[EAPEAPMO]

Posted: 5/2/23 at 5:34pm

perfectliar said: "uncageg said: "I would say if you are sitting on the far right (Or even left) you will miss seeing down the stairs to the basement. From house right mezz

I could only see the bottom of the stairs that go up from the mezz, house right row C seat 12.

All that said, it didn't take away from the show or make me feel I missed anything.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

I almost missed one thing that happens rear center stage. People's screams center and house left pulled my attention to it. House left responded to it first. But I have a feeling it was just a flub last night that everyone didn't see it at the same time.

"

It's so wild to me that so many people sitting in so many different sections have said they've missed moments or set pieces or even, as EAPEAPMO said, key elements. I've only seen a few shows in the Lyceum and always from somewhere in the center (either mezz or orchestra), so I didn't realize how bad the sightlines could be until I looked up reactions on "view from my seat" and in this thread."


I sat in the box for Book of Mormon and oh man, what an experience that was lol.... besides it being my least favorite Broadway musical ever. Still, I think the major visual items for Grey House are all visible from pretty much anywhere in the theater, just there will be details missed in some of the less favorable seating. I saw one of the scary elements before anyone else being in AA, and unfortunately my "oh ****" might have been a little bit audible lol... but like I said, anything on the floor of the stage I missed visually, even if I could infer it pretty easily. 

Updated On: 5/2/23 at 05:34 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/2/23 at 6:14pm

perfectliar said: "uncageg said: "I would say if you are sitting on the far right (Or even left) you will miss seeing down the stairs to the basement. From house right mezz

I could only see the bottom of the stairs that go up from the mezz, house right row C seat 12.

All that said, it didn't take away from the show or make me feel I missed anything.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

I almost missed one thing that happens rear center stage. People's screams center and house left pulled my attention to it. House left responded to it first. But I have a feeling it was just a flub last night that everyone didn't see it at the same time.

"

It's so wild to me that so many people sitting in so many different sections have said they've missed moments or set pieces or even, as EAPEAPMO said, key elements. I've only seen a few shows in the Lyceum and always from somewhere in the center (either mezz or orchestra), so I didn't realize how bad the sightlines could be until I looked up reactions on "view from my seat" and in this thread."

 

Well, it isn't just the sightlines. It is also the set design itself, in my opinion.

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/2/23 at 10:15pm

I can safely be added to the camp that is just completely baffled by this play. First of all, I don’t really think this is horror or thriller. It’s just plain weird. However, I can see why they’re marketing it this way since I literally have no other clue how one would even begin to market this play for what it really is - a confusing mess.

The whole play feels lazy and incoherent. I know some people have said it’s up to your own interpretation, but I honestly don’t even know what I’m interpreting here. There are so many elements that just don’t add up or make sense.

All that being said, I didn’t enjoy this, but I will say I was never bored, so I guess that’s something! I just hoped that things would come together a little bit at the end, but instead I just had more questions as we neared the end. I’m all for making audiences think, but the play itself should provide at least SOME clarity as a baseline, and this play provided absolutely none.

I am curious to go back in this thread and read some of the spoilers to see what others got out of this that I didn’t.

Updated On: 5/2/23 at 10:15 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/2/23 at 10:51pm

Wick3 said: "During the play, was there a second meaning to "grey house"? Why do you think the playwright made the title "Grey House"?"

 

Spoiler...

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

I think it has to do with one of the definitions of GREY area. Not GRAY area.

 

[EAPEAPMO]

Posted: 5/2/23 at 11:20pm

bwayphreak234 said: "I can safely be added to the camp that is just completely baffled by this play. First of all, I don’t really think this is horror or thriller. It’s just plain weird. However, I can see why they’re marketing it this way since I literally have no other clue how one would even begin to market this play for what it really is - a confusing mess.

The whole play feels lazy and incoherent. I know some people have said it’s up to your own interpretation, but I honestly don’t even know what I’m interpreting here. There are so many elements that just don’t add up or make sense.

All that being said, I didn’t enjoy this, but I will say I was never bored, so I guess that’s something! I just hoped that things would come together a little bit at the end, but instead I just had more questions as we neared the end. I’m all for making audiences think, but the play itself should provide at least SOME clarity as a baseline, and this play provided absolutely none.

I am curious to go back in this thread and read some of the spoilers to see what others got out of this that I didn’t."

I was waiting for you to hate this one too! Seems we have completely opposite tastes ha. Would be curious to hear your thoughts after you parse the thread and read some of the analysis that people have come up with. 

[RUkiddingme]

Posted: 5/2/23 at 11:54pm

I'm not sure why I went to see this tonight.  All I knew was the cast and I like them.

After seeing it, all I can say is I'm not sure why I went to see this.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/3/23 at 8:47am

Reading the amount of head scratching here, I'm again wondering what was seen in Chicago that made the creatives-slash-investors imagine this to be the moment for this particular play on Broadway. This crowded (certainly in the post-Covid shutdown NYC) season seems an odd time for this to come in. One would imagine that it might've required a ticket sales-generating name larger than (the sublime, never less than perfection) Metcalf. Someone believed the play itself is either 1) timely, or 2) has an old school entertainment value otherwise missing. It's a tough moment for dramas in general, and a seemingly commercial piece that harkens to, say, Veronica's Room or more seriously, Child's Play seems harder to sell in 2023. But maybe it's seen as counter programming of a niche sort, away from the rash of focused topical pieces. A curiosity, this. Going tomorrow night. 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 5/3/23 at 9:36am

I’m seeing this on Saturday, but all I’ll say about the head scratching is that some of the best horror movies/shows of the last decade have been utterly confounding. Horror tropes being used to explore otherwise dramatic premises is not a new concept, but I’m not surprised to learn that the marketing for this differs than the actual product.

Also, a quick peek at A Red Orchid’s website and stills from their production all but give away the entire plot, so if you’re looking for more detail on the kind of gore you’ll encounter, reader beware.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 5/3/23 at 10:00am

I planned on taking an extended break from Broadway after the events of April 16th, but I thought this might be the show that drags me back because I love horror so much. Sounds like I can probably pass this one up. 

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/3/23 at 10:48am

I love horror and loved this play. Tho... it's more like Lamb, Relic, or Men than it is Terrifier or Scream or whatever. There aren't really jump scares but it is very creepy and sort of... dread inducing. 

I don't think there's all that much to figure out... it is what is? Obviously everyone is entitled but it's odd to me that anyone would think its a mess, it's very clear and deliberate what it is. Even if it's a little opaque and weird... but there's very clear, literal events that happen that are fairly easy to follow (again, my opinion). 

Curious to those who saw it in New York... did they keep the- 

 

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Bobbie Gentry song/sing-a-long? 

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/3/23 at 11:01am

After reading through the spoilers and talking to my friend who I went with, I've been able to make a little bit more sense of what I saw last night... Everyone in this thread has done a great job of "unpacking" and interpreting a lot of things under the spoiler tags. I'm unsure why I was unable to figure some of these things out on my own, but it makes sense after talking to others and reading the thoughts of others. Maybe I need to sit with this one a little longer and think about it a little more deeply...

 That all being said, I will can't help but feel that the whole play is just too ambiguous and doesn't really provide a solid foundation for a lot of things (in my opinion, of course). This will definitely be a divisive play, and I can't wait to keep reading others' thoughts and interpretations as more folks go see it!

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/3/23 at 11:16am

KJisgroovy said: "I love horror and loved this play. Tho... it's more like Lamb, Relic, or Men than it is Terrifier or Scream or whatever. There aren't really jump scares but it is very creepy and sort of... dread inducing.

I don't think there's all that much to figure out... it is what is? Obviously everyone is entitled but it's odd to me that anyone would think its a mess, it's very clear and deliberate what it is. Even if it's a little opaque and weird... but there's very clear, literal events that happen that are fairly easy to follow (again, my opinion).

Curious to those who saw it in New York... did they keep the-

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Bobbie Gentry song/sing-a-long?

"

 

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There is a sing-a-long. I looked in my Playbill and I don't see any credits for a Bobbie Gentry song. I am assuming it is the song though.

 

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/3/23 at 11:19am

Those pics do show a lot but I don't think they give away the total plot. That said, there are a few that I would not have included for production photos.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/3/23 at 11:38am

 

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At a Red Orchid they sang Bobbie Gentry's Reunion which is a personal favorite but it's so BIZARRE and niche I was surprised by its inclusion. 

Thank you for the clarification Uncageg

[EAPEAPMO]

Posted: 5/3/23 at 11:58am

bwayphreak234 said: "After reading through the spoilers and talking to my friend who I went with, I've been able to make a little bit more sense of what I saw last night... Everyone in this thread has done a great job of "unpacking" and interpreting a lot of things under the spoiler tags. I'm unsure why I was unable to figure some of these things out on my own, but it makes sense after talking to others and reading the thoughts of others. Maybe I need to sit with this one a little longer and think about it a little more deeply...

That all being said, I will can't help but feel that the whole play is just too ambiguous and doesn't really provide a solid foundation for a lot of things (in my opinion, of course). This will definitely be a divisive play, and I can't wait to keep reading others' thoughts and interpretations as more folks go see it!"

That's what's made me love it. I've been discussing it with my girlfriend for days and the more we talk the more we realize how much meaning has been packed into the show. The last time that happened for me was when I saw What the Constitution Means to Me for the first time at the NYTW - I walked out of that one and loved exploring what Heidi had put together (I went to the very first show for that one too, so I didn't know what all what it was and when she walked on stage and started talking to the audience I missed so much of the first 15-20 minutes becuase I kept waiting for the show to start haha...) I think that's the beauty of this piece really, it gives people so much to talk about and explore and usually even when theater has deeper meaning, it's a presented meaning or 1 or 2 items to explore..... this one is a whole world!

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/3/23 at 2:43pm

From reading the thread it seems like a few/handful of people understood the premise of the play from one showing but the majority is confused or have no idea what is going on. It may be they sat too far away to notice the action or maybe they missed a key word or two? 
 

The 2019 Red Orchid production had a different cast and director. I’m curious if there were any changes made in the play for Broadway? 

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/3/23 at 5:33pm

Walked past the theater today to see it. They have put a large cutout of the girl in the ads, shoulders up, in a window on the Mezz. level. They have also posted a video of her in the window saying she had arrived or moved in.

[Ensemble1682852684]

Posted: 5/3/23 at 8:29pm

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler ContentMy seat was directly behind the sofa where Henry got his leg peeled. It literally happened inches in front of me with the girls singing a Pagan hymn surrounding me. I also remember The Ancient appearing anywhere and everywhere in the theater and the audience. The lights kept plunging us into total darkness when actors were running around and the sound was at its loudest and scariest. It was like living inside a haunted house.

 

Updated On: 5/3/23 at 08:29 PM

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 5/4/23 at 12:37am

I think it's important to note that horror doesn't necessarily equal scary, like Beetlejuice and Little Shop of Horrors are in the horror genre but they're not really scary at all.  Though I do get that it felt like there was a bit of false advertising going on since the Chicago reviews described it as terrifying and much scarier than it is on Broadway.  fwiw though, I'd say this play is definitely still horror, though Joe Mantello calls it a psychological thriller instead.

Everyone in my group really enjoyed this, as the acting in particular is a treat to watch, and it does a good job of keeping you engaged and wanting to see what happens next.  I agree with the other posters about how this is one of those "you definitely won't understand anything and that's okay" kind of plays, and it's been interesting reading everyone's interpretations (reminds me of the You Will Get Sick thread).  Parts of the show went by fast for me so I'd love to sit down with a script and really parse through the different scenes and characters.

For the title, another thing I noticed was that the story Raleigh reads is entitled Grey Mouse, which you know, sounds pretty similar.  Though I think I had a little bit of trouble deciphering the significance of that story, so I'm wondering if people had thoughts on that, more in the spoiler tag:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

The four baby mice left seem like they would be the four girls in the house, and I guess Marlow would be the one that survives since it seems like she's the one that has decided to make a permanent home there, but I feel like there has to be more to it than that.  Are the first two baby mice that die the Ancient and the Boy maybe?  My friend mentioned remembering that the story ended with the sun cracking like a yolk across the sky or something, and the last thing Max does at the end of the show is crack an egg.

Some more thoughts on Marlow and the Ancient/the Boy:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

So Marlow is the one who walked into the sea with her mother, except I'm wondering if maybe she somehow "traded places" (or bodies) with the Ancient, which somehow let the Ancient take on the personas of the younger girls, because she's technically supposed to be the young girl, or the ghost of their future selves.  Marlow definitely acts like the leader of the bunch, and in her scene with Raleigh she mentions the "love you as much as the sea" line, and she mentions she's never going to be leaving.  I'm not sure what motivation they'd have to trade places or anything so this theory is definitely a work in progress, but there's just something niggling me about it.  Maybe it has something to do with the mouse story and the last mouse eating the mother?

For the Boy, the theory that he's just the younger version of whatever man is in the house feels a little too unsatisfying to me.  I was kicking around the idea with some friends that if this is indeed purgatory, where people can only move on after being purged of their sins, then perhaps the "moonshine" is draining the actual sins out of the men while the good/innocent parts go into the Boy.  He's always a little bit clingy with whoever the mother figure is at the time, maybe looking for guidance, and during the dinner table scene, Raleigh ties a blindfold around him so he won't see, maybe to protect that innocence?

Also for the ending and the issue that Jordan mentioned:

 

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One of the things Max was forced to admit in the Show and Hell sequence is that she feels unbearably lonely, to the point where she thinks about killing herself sometimes.  And now that her husband's gone, I can understand why she wouldn't have anything to return to (seeing as her father and sister are gone too, and I can't remember if she ever mentioned a mother).  And I thought Tatiana Maslany did a great job showing Max building rapport with the girls and being able to take care of them, so I was never surprised that she stayed.

Question about the set (probably not a real spoiler but I'll put it behind a spoiler tag anyway):

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

I've been trying to figure out what the roof of the house was supposed to signify.  They definitely light it up near the end (I think during the dinner table scene?) and I wasn't sure if that was supposed to be reminiscent of birds or bats or something else hanging down...or is it just a general creepy aesthetic?  Also the circular hole in the ceiling, what was that all about?

Our seats were row C orchestra on the left side.  In the aisle seat, I could just barely see the mid-stage event that other people were talking about not being able to see from the sides, but the person next to me could not.  I also couldn't see a moment near the end by the doorway right when it happened, but it was made apparent a little bit later.  Also because the stage is fairly high, it was difficult to see anything happening on top of the table, but not a complete detractor.  I could see the door to the basement stairs, but not inside of it--does anything ever happen in there?  I assumed it was just a bright light shining up.

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 5/4/23 at 6:39am

Anyone else provide insight on rush seats? Currently in line now and will edit once I get tickets! 
 

EDIT: First in line and got Orchestra Center AA 102/3. Seems to be consistent with what I have seen thus far and am really excited for tonight!

Updated On: 5/4/23 at 06:39 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/4/23 at 11:47am

chrishuyen said: "I think it's important to note that horror doesn't necessarily equal scary, like Beetlejuice and Little Shop of Horrors are in the horror genre but they're not really scary at all. Though I do get that it felt like there was a bit of false advertising going on since the Chicago reviews described it as terrifying and much scarier than it is on Broadway. fwiw though, I'd say this play is definitely still horror, though Joe Mantello calls it a psychological thriller instead.

Everyone in my group really enjoyed this, as the acting in particular is a treat to watch, and it does a good job of keeping you engaged and wanting to see what happens next. I agree with the other posters about how this is one of those "you definitely won't understand anything and that's okay" kind of plays, and it's been interesting reading everyone's interpretations (reminds me of the You Will Get Sick thread). Parts of the show went by fast for me so I'd love to sit down with a script and really parse through the different scenes and characters.

For the title, another thing I noticed was that the story Raleigh reads is entitled Grey Mouse, which you know, sounds pretty similar. Though I think I had a little bit of trouble deciphering the significance of that story, so I'm wondering if people had thoughts on that, more in the spoiler tag:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

The four baby mice left seem like they would be the four girls in the house, and I guess Marlow would be the one that survives since it seems like she's the one that has decided to make a permanent home there, but I feel like there has to be more to it than that. Are the first two baby mice that die the Ancient and the Boy maybe? My friend mentioned remembering that the story ended with the sun cracking like a yolk across the sky or something, and the last thing Max does at the end of the show is crack an egg.

Some more thoughts on Marlow and the Ancient/the Boy:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

So Marlow is the one who walked into the sea with her mother, except I'm wondering if maybe she somehow "traded places" (or bodies) with the Ancient, which somehow let the Ancient take on the personas of the younger girls, because she's technically supposed to be the young girl, or the ghost of their future selves. Marlow definitely acts like the leader of the bunch, and in her scene with Raleigh she mentions the "love you as much as the sea" line, and she mentions she's never going to be leaving. I'm not sure what motivation they'd have to trade places or anything so this theory is definitely a work in progress, but there's just something niggling me about it. Maybe it has something to do with the mouse story and the last mouse eating the mother?

For the Boy, the theory that he's just the younger version of whatever man is in the house feels a little too unsatisfying to me. I was kicking around the idea with some friends that if this is indeed purgatory, where people can only move on after being purged of their sins, then perhaps the "moonshine" is draining the actual sins out of the men while the good/innocent parts go into the Boy. He's always a little bit clingy with whoever the mother figure is at the time, maybe looking for guidance, and during the dinner table scene, Raleigh ties a blindfold around him so he won't see, maybe to protect that innocence?

Also for the ending and the issue that Jordan mentioned:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

One of the things Max was forced to admit in the Show and Hell sequence is that she feels unbearably lonely, to the point where she thinks about killing herself sometimes. And now that her husband's gone, I can understand why she wouldn't have anything to return to (seeing as her father and sister are gone too, and I can't remember if she ever mentioned a mother). And I thought Tatiana Maslany did a great job showing Max building rapport with the girls and being able to take care of them, so I was never surprised that she stayed.

Question about the set (probably not a real spoiler but I'll put it behind a spoiler tag anyway):

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

I've been trying to figure out what the roof of the house was supposed to signify. They definitely light it up near the end (I think during the dinner table scene?) and I wasn't sure if that was supposed to be reminiscent of birds or bats or something else hanging down...or is it just a general creepy aesthetic? Also the circular hole in the ceiling, what was that all about?

Our seats were row C orchestra on the left side. In the aisle seat, I could just barely see the mid-stage event that other people were talking about not being able to see from the sides, but the person next to me could not. I also couldn't see a moment near the end by the doorway right when it happened, but it was made apparent a little bit later. Also because the stage is fairly high, it was difficult to see anything happening on top of the table, but not a complete detractor. I could see the door to the basement stairs, but not inside of it--does anything ever happen in there? I assumed it was just a bright light shining up."

I too was starting at the ceiling of the cabin. I couldn't figure it out but this is part of what I came up with...

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

I thought that it was not a real roof and that anyone who was not supposed to be at the cabin could not see it from the outside. It almost appeared to be underground. What threw me off was when Max was asked to go to the shed for the Mr Clean. I found it odd that they would keep a common household item outside the house.